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The Terminator

The Terminator

7,7 /10 (14,861 Votes)
1984 EN 108 min

Overview

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?

Stream

Powered by JustWatch via TMDB

Release date

26/10/1984

Votes

14,861

Popularity

45.0

Your future is in its hands.

Status

Released

Language

EN

Runtime

108 min

Budget

$6,400,000

Revenue

$78,371,200

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Terminator

Michael Biehn

Michael Biehn

Kyle Reese

Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton

Sarah Connor

Paul Winfield

Paul Winfield

Traxler

Lance Henriksen

Lance Henriksen

Vukovich

Rick Rossovich

Rick Rossovich

Matt

Bess Motta

Bess Motta

Ginger

Earl Boen

Earl Boen

Silberman

Dick Miller

Dick Miller

Pawnshop Clerk

Shawn Schepps

Shawn Schepps

Nancy

No photo

Bruce M. Kerner

Desk Sergeant

Franco Columbu

Franco Columbu

Future Terminator

Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton

Punk Leader

Brad Rearden

Brad Rearden

Punk

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson

Punk

William Wisher

William Wisher

Policeman

No photo

Ken Fritz

Policeman

No photo

Tom Oberhaus

Policeman

No photo

Ed Dogans

Cop in Alley

Joe Farago

Joe Farago

TV Anchorman

No photo

Hettie Lynne Hurtes

TV Anchorwoman

No photo

Tony Mirelez

Station Attendant

No photo

Philip Gordon

Mexican Boy

No photo

Anthony Trujillo

Mexican Boy

No photo

Stan Yale

Derelict

No photo

Al Kahn

Customer

No photo

Leslie Morris

Customer

No photo

Hugh Farrington

Customer

Harriet Medin

Harriet Medin

Customer

No photo

Loree Frazier

Customer

No photo

James Ralston

Customer

Norman Friedman

Norman Friedman

Cleaning Man

No photo

Barbara Powers

Ticket Taker

No photo

Wayne Stone

Tanker Driver

No photo

David Michels

Tanker Partner

No photo

John E. Bristol

Phone Booth Man

Webster Williams

Webster Williams

Reporter

Patrick Pinney

Patrick Pinney

Bar Customer

No photo

Bill W. Richmond

Bartender

Chino 'Fats' Williams

Chino 'Fats' Williams

Truck Driver

Greg Robbins

Greg Robbins

Motel Customer

Marianne Muellerleile

Marianne Muellerleile

Wrong Sarah

No photo

John Durban

Sentry

Marian Green

Marian Green

Dancer Shot by the Terminator (uncredited)

No photo

J. Randolph Harrison

Policeman (uncredited)

No photo

David Kristin

Punk (uncredited)

No photo

Darrell Mapson

Bar Patron at Pay Phone with Sarah (uncredited)

John Stuart West

John Stuart West

MacDougal (uncredited)

Original Soundtrack

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John Chard

John Chard

2015-05-07

⭐ 9

I can't. Nobody goes home. Nobody else comes through. It's just him - and me. It's funny really, writing a review for The Terminator these days just feels a little pointless, I mean anyone who wanted to see it would have done so already. In truth the effects work is a little creaky now but that doesn't matter, they were awesome in 1984. It's a ripper of a story awash with high energy action, rip-snorting characterisations and tech-noir atmospherics. It's place in the pantheon of science fiction films is assured, its influence on the genre undoubted, while the lead cast members cemented them…

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Jodie

Jodie

2017-02-18

⭐ 10

Writing a review for a movie this old does indeed seem pointless, but since this is one of my favorite films I thought I would review it anyway. In my opinion The Terminator is a beautiful, yet tragic love story set in the back drop of the future and the past. A soldier from the future is sent to the 80's to save the leader of the resistance (John Connor) mother from a High Tech Cybernetic Killing Machine. We all know that. What I loved was that this soldier, Kyle Reese volunteers for this suicide mission. He volunteers for one reason because, he had fallen in love with this woman, Sarah C…

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Gimly

Gimly

2018-03-19

⭐ 9

I know saying this puts me in the minority, but the first _Terminator_ movie is actually my favourite of the franchise. That's not a knock on the second movie, _Judgment Day_ is **awesome**. But I really dig the lower down, dark, sci-fi horror vibe of the original (it **is** a knock on every movie in the series that came after _T2_ though). Schwarzenegger as the titular Terminator is inspired casting. Firstly, any restrictions he had in acting ability back in the 80s are brushed aside by the fact that he's playing a cold, unfeeling machine. And can you imagine someone who looks like that co…

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Kamurai

Kamurai

2020-07-29

⭐ 6

Good watch, might watch again, and can recommend. I have no idea what just happened, I just watched the 2020 version, and it doesn't even look better, and there doesn't seem be a lot of info on the situation. It has decent practical effects, it's a got plenty of action in a machine chasing a woman aided by a soldier from the future. Arnold carries an odd amount of weight as an emotionless cyborg, but Linda Hamilton shores up the rest. I don't think it is Michael Biehn's fault, but Kyle Reese is kind of a forgettable character in this. The depth of this action movie is just on the …

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GenerationofSwine

GenerationofSwine

2023-01-12

⭐ 10

Here we go, the movie that started it all and wasn't Arnold believable as a robot? He came across as threatening and creepy as all get out, and the thick accent really played for the role. And then, of course, the plot was so unbelievable that it sucked everyone right in, from the start you suspended your disbelief because you knew it was going to be one heck of a ride. The cinematography was absolutely brilliant, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly for the first outing of the Terminator franchise and we got to see Sarah Connor transform from a frightened waitress at the start…

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The Movie Mob

The Movie Mob

2023-02-11

⭐ 9

**James Cameron’s first film immediately showcases his unparalleled mastery of sci-fi action films and world building making The Terminator the gold standard of sci-fi thrillers.** The Terminator franchise has its ups and downs, but it’s hard to deny its iconic status and significant impact on pop culture. Many would pick Terminator 2 as the pinnacle of the franchise, but for me, it’s the first one. While T2 made considerable upgrades to the original in every way, The Terminator was the directorial debut of James Cameron and in his first time in the director’s chair, made a groundbreaking s…

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

2023-03-26

⭐ 7

Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives in 1984 Los Angeles, in his birthday suit, and on a mission. Firstly, to get some clothes then to eliminate all the "Sarah Connor" folks listed in the phone book. Moments later "Kyle" (Michael Biehn) arrives with the aim of thwarting this dastardly plan - and soon the race is on. Meanwhile, "Sarah" (Linda Hamilton) is blissfully unaware that she is a target until the news bulletins start reporting the brutal slaying of her namesakes. She is spooked, and takes refuge in a night club while the city's finest head to her rescue. Thing is, Arnie is not just a big muscl…

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N

Narate

2025-01-01

⭐ 10

"_It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!_" What's there to say that hasn't been said already? It's an incredible sci-fi thriller that is so good because not only is the story fun, but Cameron makes it look so good even back then before he blew up. Arnold is terrifying, Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn were meant to be and the score gives me chills.

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Dr Nostromo

Dr Nostromo

2026-02-25

⭐ 9

90/100 The future, being controlled by machines but losing to the human resistance, sends back a Terminator to kill the resistance leader's mother before she gives birth to him and the resistance sends back a soldier to save her. One of the classic thrillers of the 80's by newcomer James Cameron, is still just as exciting today as it was then. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his initial outing in the iconic, bad-ass role that he would never outdo. Great action, gunfights, car chases, twisted story line, all moving at a breakneck pace that will keep you glued to your seat. -- DrNostromo.com

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