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Trailer

The Terminator

1984Movie1 h 48 minR

Thriller
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic848.6Rotten Tomatoes90%89%

A nerve-racking, pulse-pounding action movie about the future and technology, with standout direction and editing.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you · you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Your future is in its hands.

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?

Feels like

  • Relentless Sci-Fi Thriller
  • Iconic Action Cinema
  • Technological Horror
  • Synthwave Aesthetic
  • Post-Apocalyptic Foreshadowing
  • High-Stakes Chase
  • Cult Classic Status
  • Minimalist Dialogue Impact
  • Unstoppable Force Narrative

Cast

24 of 26

Crew

Directed by
James Cameron
Written by
James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Produced by
Gale Anne Hurd
Music by
Brad Fiedel

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 26, 1984 · 1 h 48 min · R

Released
October 26, 1984
Runtime
1 h 48 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Action, Thriller, Science Fiction
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United Kingdom, United States
Budget
$6 million
Box office
$78 million
Available in
132 countries

Tropes

Neverending Terror, Evil Is Bigger, Asshole Victim +9

  • Neverending Terror
  • Evil Is Bigger
  • Asshole Victim
  • Who Needs Their Whole Body?
  • Murder by Mistake
  • Hidden Badass
  • Enemy Rising Behind
  • Gory Discretion Shot
  • Mugged for Disguise
  • Evil Smells Bad
  • Ammunition Backpack
  • We Will Meet Again

12 of 326 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Terminator?"

Questions about The Terminator

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Terminator?

PrimeThe RokuYouTube TVFawesomeTubi TV

In the United States, The Terminator streams on Prime and YouTube TV, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Fawesome, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It also streams in 17 other countries.

Is The Terminator worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 90%, and Metacritic 84).

Is The Terminator good for date night?

and 3 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightParty Vibe

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Will The Terminator scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

At times: scares are rated 7 of 10.

Was The Terminator a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$78 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $6 million to make and earned $78 million worldwide, 12.2 times its budget.

What tropes does The Terminator use?

Neverending TerrorEvil Is BiggerAsshole VictimWho Needs Their Whole Body?Murder by MistakeHidden BadassEnemy Rising BehindGory Discretion ShotMugged for DisguiseEvil Smells BadAmmunition BackpackWe Will Meet Againand 314 more

TV Tropes lists 326 tropes for it, including Neverending Terror, Evil Is Bigger, and Asshole Victim.