The Terminator Movies: Release Order
The Terminator franchise spans over three decades, chronicling humanity's struggle against Skynet, an artificial intelligence that achieves sentience and wages war against its creators.
This release order watch list includes all six theatrical films, but be aware that the franchise features multiple timelines and continuity breaks due to various sequels serving as soft reboots. The later films often ignore or rewrite events from previous installments, creating a complex web of alternate futures and timelines.
There are 4 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
The Terminator
A cyborg assassin is sent back in time from a post-apocalyptic future to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead the human resistance against machines. A human warrior is also sent back to protect her from the nearly indestructible killing machine.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
A reprogrammed Terminator is sent back in time to protect young John Connor from a more advanced liquid metal assassin sent to kill him. This explosive sequel delivers groundbreaking special effects and intense action as the future of humanity hangs in the balance.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
A decade after preventing Judgment Day, John Connor faces a new threat when the advanced T-X terminator is sent back in time to eliminate him and other future resistance leaders. The original Terminator returns to protect Connor once again in this action-packed sequel.
Terminator Salvation
In post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor leads the human resistance against dominating machines, but the arrival of mysterious Marcus Wright forces Connor to question whether this enigmatic figure is an ally or enemy in humanity's fight for survival.
Terminator Genisys
In 2029, resistance leader John Connor faces a new threat when SkyNet launches an unprecedented attack targeting him across multiple timelines. This fifth installment in the Terminator franchise explores how the war against the machines evolves when past and future collide.
Terminator: Dark Fate
Decades after preventing Judgment Day, Sarah Connor must team up with unlikely allies to stop a deadly new Terminator sent to eliminate the future leader of the resistance.
Other Film Series
G.I. Joe
A live-action franchise based on the toy line, featuring military action films with continuity complications between the main series and later reboot attempts.
Jurassic Universe
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.