The Terminator - Watch Order: Original Timeline
This watch order follows the linear progression of the original timeline before the franchise began implementing timeline resets and reboots.
The timeline shows the complete arc from John Connor's conception through the future war, ending with humanity's war against the machines in Terminator Salvation. This order provides closure to the fight against Skynet that was established in the first two films.

The Terminator
In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?

Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Set ten years after the events of the original, James Cameron’s classic sci-fi action flick tells the story of a second attempt to get rid of rebellion leader John Connor, this time targeting the boy himself. However, the rebellion has sent a reprogrammed terminator to protect Connor.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
It's been 10 years since John Connor saved Earth from Judgment Day, and he's now living under the radar, steering clear of using anything Skynet can trace. That is, until he encounters T-X, a robotic assassin ordered to finish what T-1000 started. Good thing Connor's former nemesis, the Terminator, is back to aid the now-adult Connor … just like he promised.

Terminator Salvation
All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots. But when Marcus Wright appears, his existence confuses the mission as Connor tries to determine whether Wright has come from the future or the past -- and whether he's friend or foe.
Other Film Series
Divergent
A dystopian trilogy following Tris Prior as she discovers her Divergent nature and leads a rebellion against the faction system controlling post-apocalyptic Chicago.
Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
The complete dinosaur franchise from Spielberg's original thriller through the modern blockbuster era.
Mad Max
A post-apocalyptic action franchise following the lone warrior Max Rockatansky as he navigates a dangerous wasteland filled with marauders and survivors.
Maze Runner
A dystopian sci-fi trilogy following Thomas and the Gladers as they escape the maze and uncover the truth about their post-apocalyptic world.
Predator
Elite alien hunters stalk Earth throughout history, seeking the most dangerous prey in brutal combat.
The Matrix
A groundbreaking sci-fi action series exploring the nature of reality through the story of Neo, a hacker who discovers the world is a computer simulation.