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The Terminator
The Terminator
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The Terminator

The Terminator

1984
Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller
1h 47m
A cyborg (Schwarzenegger) is sent from the 21st century to present-day Los Angeles to assassinate a seemingly innocent women whose child will play an important part in the world from which the killer came. (MGM)

The Terminator

1984
Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller
1h 47m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 63.5% from 17194 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(17331)
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Rated 31 Aug 2019
100
98th
Kyle Reese fighting a terminator and the vicious crabs infestation he got from the wino’s pants. Drown me in synth , bludgeon me with tech noir.
Rated 08 Mar 2020
9
90th
Having rewatched a film print of this on the big screen, I sat there impressed by the sheer ambition on display and the level of dedication of everyone involved. The minimalism of it all - a cyborg assassin chasing its target - also goes a long way in fueling the film's menacing tone and forward momentum, which doesn't let up until the film reaches its climax. Just an awesome classic that to this day still puts other movies to shame.
Rated 07 Feb 2019
86
83rd
Noted technophile James Cameron delivers a robot for the ages. But how come Kyle Reese doesn't try to kill the Terminator's mom, huh?
Rated 21 Jun 2012
88
91st
Proof that James Cameron CAN make a pretty decent movie for less than a billion and still have it come in under six hours.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
84
81st
James Cameron has three kinds of movies: movies that involve being underwater, movies that bluntly rage against corporations, and movies where Arnold Schwarzenegger kills everything. This is the best of the third category. While some of his movies cover more than just one, none have ever featured all three. We can always dream though.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
4
70th
The second movie pretty much bests it in every single aspect, but this is still an excellent action/sci-fi offering with a vastly different feel than its sequel, which is very high-tech and smooth, as opposed to the gritty urban battle portrayed here. This has the slight effect of shifting the focus a bit more towards the characters themselves instead of the plot.
Rated 31 Aug 2019
75
69th
Great action movie and one of the few Arnold movies I legit like him in
Rated 28 Mar 2010
7
75th
A nice movie about a robot who just wants to follow his dreams despite the real world trying to stop him at all costs.
Rated 20 Jul 2008
90
79th
Amazing effects and great plot. Arnold plays the role as The Terminator to perfection!
Rated 03 May 2019
7
63rd
A time travel twist, a garish synth soundtrack, and a (literally) robotic Arnold with one-liners galore (see his choice from the "possible responses" to the cleaner) add just the right amount of retro-futuristic flair to an easily engaging chase-thriller. The special effects are pretty dated (see the stop motion robot; fake horizon at the end) but that doesn't mean the climactic fight isn't great or the open-ended epilogue isn't supremely satisfying ("...there's a storm coming in" "I know").
Rated 09 Oct 2011
98
97th
Its extremely entertaining and well made. Plain and simple. It's short, the action and effects are dated but still cool, the acting is very good, and the story and directing are superb. Truly a game changer and genre defining. What more could you really want?
Rated 18 Sep 2008
82
76th
Certainly one of the best sci-fi horror movies made. The special effects are dated by today's standards but considering the budget, and the fact the film is over two decades old, I think they're quite impressive. Biehn, Hamilton and Schwarzenegger are all superbly cast and the script is surprisingly sharp for a B-movie but it does contain a few problems. Still the movie is very good and worth seeing.
Rated 26 Sep 2007
4
83rd
Still holds up really well. Although I enjoyed the second one more, they're two very different films with different intentions and need to be judged as such.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
50th
A phenomenal idea and the imposing physical presence of Arnold make The Terminator a good movie with several iconic sequences, but the sequel is a good deal better.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
93rd
A recent rewatch reminded me just how effective this film is. For all Arnold's obvious limitations as an actor, he is extremely watchable in this, as the film really accentuates his strengths. A great pursuit film, the well-handled science-fiction themes adding colour.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
87th
The pre-cursor to one of the greatest action movies of all time. Oh yeah, and it's not too bad itself.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
5
93rd
Not just a cheesy 1980s pop culture icon, but a legitimate sci fi noir action flick. It's gritty, dark, violent, suspenseful. Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as the eponymous force of inescapable doom. I'm in the minority who like this better than the sequel.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
93
98th
Sci-fi action at its best. The role is perfectly suited to Schwarzenegger and he delivers a unique blend of comedy and fear that makes the film work, thanks also to Cameron's attention to detail.
Rated 12 Jan 2019
87
82nd
Just about perfect for an action film. There isn't a lot below the surface thematically, but Cameron makes sure that doesn't become a problem through the incredibly fast pace. It might be a little dated technically, but for the most part this is still a very enjoyable sci-fi action flick that set a standard for all that followed it.
Rated 04 Mar 2018
75
85th
(Viewed on 20/09/14): There is a reason Tarkovsky liked The Terminator: it's a dark and relentless vision of a disturbingly mechanized future. Some of the effects have dated, the sex scene is silly and the acting varies in quality. Arnie stands out in his star making role as a menacing cyborg, but he is literally playing a robot. Biehn and Hamilton are merely adequate. Essentially a high tech 80's slasher, the action still packs a visceral punch, and the finale offers edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Rated 20 Dec 2017
83
81st
I think you could release this movie today exactly the same, just with digital cameras and a few other updates, and nobody would bat an eye. I'm not the world's biggest James Cameron fan, but it's pretty astounding how modern and well-made his films are. Bonus points for me for Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen.
Rated 21 May 2014
5
73rd
HALLOWEEN for the tech age no doubt, violating a range of safe spaces; it doesn't matter if you're at home, in a packed public place, a police station, the new breed of villain doesn't discriminate because it doesn't need to--death finds a way. fittingly terrible when asked to simulate human emotions, T1 is otherwise a paragon of genre efficiency; taut, grim and merciless. the scene where arnie fixes himself back up is a masterclass in roboerotica.
Rated 23 Jun 2012
90
90th
With its impressive action sequences, taut economic direction, and relentlessly fast pace, it's clear why The Terminator continues to be an influence on sci-fi and action flicks.
Rated 11 Dec 2011
65
32nd
An excellent concept that would be put to better use in the sequel. The film loses much of its steam in the final act, when it becomes apparent that the characters will continue to evade the unstoppable killer robot through a healthy dose of movie artifice. The 80's aesthetic (including the horribly synthesized score) does not help.
Rated 15 Jan 2011
50
36th
100 minutes of car chases, gun fights and shit being blown up. Add in some leaden dialogue, ham-fisted exposition, a naked Arnold Schwarzenegger and an embarrassing love scene and you have The Terminator. That said, it has some fun moments, it's not too long, and the special effects are good. It's a big, dumb 80s action movie directed by James Cameron - you know what to expect before you start watching and it delivers everything it promises.
Rated 10 Jan 2010
91
97th
If I didn't have massive amounts of nostalgia for T2 I'd say this is the better film. It's a more gritty, atmospheric, tense experience and it doesn't have Edward Furlong.
Rated 06 Jun 2009
0
4th
Uninspired, terribly telegraphed plot. Some terrible acting (mainly from Biehn) and a creepy, not very believable love story. Since a bunch of stuff exploding and people/androids shooting at eachother is fairly boring to me, there was not much left to enjoy.
Rated 10 Jun 2008
68
54th
A fully nude Arnold Schwarzenegger rips out some punk's heart within the first 6 minutes of the movie. Fuck yea. A bit dated in most respects, especially soundtrack, but it's a solid action movie.
Rated 21 Jan 2008
85
94th
While overshadowed by the action per excellence that is T2, of course, this is still a very cool genre classic. It's essentially a sci-fi take on the slasher movie, with Arnie as the cyborg killer and Linda H. as the final girl.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
86th
It's certainly one of the top sci-fi action movies but I enjoyed the sequel a lot more.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
Despite being a empathatic black hole, Schwarzenegger's electric murder machine is quite possibly the most interesting thing ever conceived. A genuinely untenable quality - the Terminator as at once a cliched slasher movie villain, a James Bond remorseless murderer and Shelly's frigteningly intelligent Monster rolled into a preening hair-fixated ubermensch monlith. Cameron wastes neither a shot nor a movement. Peerless.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
76th
Similar to the first Alien movie, this is more of a horror film than and action film. As a silent and deadly machine, Arnold is in a role that he'll forever be remembered for. Although it is fairly outdated, its interesting view on time travel and the future of mankind has made Terminator a sci-fi classic. Really good!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
67th
The first film definitely carries a tension and a sense of urgency unmatched by many films in the genre, unmarred by Arnold Schwarzenegger's insistent posing as he would later acquire, and an amazingly intense ride.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
95
93rd
A groundbreaking action film with an interesting plot. Ahhnold is great as the unstoppable 'Terminator' cyborg.
Rated 22 Mar 2007
100
95th
Already a classic. Was one practically as soon as it came out
Rated 11 Jul 2024
75
83rd
Having seen 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day' many times, it is hard not to watch this first film and think of Arnie as the 'good guy' when he is obviously the 'bad guy'. "I'll be back," and indeed he was.
Rated 18 Mar 2021
83
77th
Can you believe that I've never seen this before? The Terminator is probably the the best B-movie of all time. The low budget forced Cameron to strip it down to action movie minimums, and in doing so he made great action set-pieces and also perfectly evoked a moody tech-noir aesthetic filled with a complete sense of despair and hopelessness, making the stakes feel very real and the characters worth investing in. In the canon of action films for good reason.
Rated 16 Sep 2020
80
83rd
I love how maximalist the story is and, on the other hand, how straightforward the plot and how minimal the effects. Could almost be better without the robot gimmicks, which haven't aged well, as a number of members have said. If I were directing this, I would have dumped all the effects budget in the script, and left Biehn to explain everything to Hamilton. Hugely evocative and very successful.
Rated 06 Nov 2019
7
76th
When I was younger, I never really appreciated this movie like I do now. I wonder what it was like to see this in theaters back then. If you measure this in a professional way, it's a B rate science fiction action movie. However, even with how simplistic it is, it nails pretty much everything you could ask for. You can debate this or Predator for Arnold's most recognizable role, but I don't really care for him in general, but he definitely defines and makes this as good as it is.
Rated 21 Oct 2019
80
90th
Sent from the future from skynet is sending a Terminator to destroy Sarah Connor. I like this movie. Didn't know who the good guy was though.
Rated 13 Aug 2018
90
84th
The Termination is a classic in the action sci-fi genre. Not only does it have a great sci-fi story but it also has a lot of horror elements that keep the viewer on the edge of their chairs rooting for Sarah Connor to finally beat the cyborg sent to kill her. The acting is well done. Schwarzenegger does a good job especially since he didn't have many lines. Linda Hamilton is sexy and fierce. I think that Michael Biehn steals the show in this movie. He is cool, tough, and warm.
Rated 13 Nov 2017
87
77th
BACK-FILLING WHOLE LOT OF FILMS NOT SEEN FOR A LONG, LONG TIME -> Recall/Scores may be 20-30% off. Not at all offended, grateful actually, if anyone wants 2 drop me a cordial msg if think memory dulled a gem or gave a rosy tint to a clunker. IE. Tell me WHY I am wrong & what U think I should've scored. Love film chat/debate 80s hair is a treat- extra unintended hilarity! Effects have aged inevitably but great concept very well executed.
Rated 29 Oct 2016
94
94th
James Cameron's The Terminator is an original game-changing classic and one of the most influential science-fiction films to emerge out of the 1980s.
Rated 13 Apr 2016
70
53rd
A solid sci-fi noir. Well paced and structured.
Rated 24 Jun 2015
80
88th
It's great and all, but Robocop > Terminator
Rated 23 Aug 2014
100
90th
Not as good as its sequel, but a sci-fi classic.
Rated 04 Sep 2013
96
92nd
Exhilarating, iconic sci-fi/action masterpiece reaches the heights it does by never trying too hard, and for the most part successfully concealing its low budget origins. Schwarzenegger may be a man of few words, but the power and charisma he brings from his silence is invaluable, and Biehn and Hamilton provide the perfect scrappy heroes. As in Cameron's best films, it's the smaller touches that stick out - such as Winfield's dry supporting performance, and Boen's gloriously smarmy one.
Rated 09 Oct 2012
90
81st
One of the greatest science fiction movies of all time, hands down. The story is fantastic, foreshadowing what seems to be an inevitable, grim future for the world and for humanity. And it's all carried by great performances from Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn, as well as one of the best action stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Well done, James Cameron.
Rated 17 Jul 2012
90
83rd
An absolutely incredible lo-fi sci-fi picture with visceral thrills, amazing performances and evocative time-travel concepts.
Rated 23 Feb 2012
49
34th
Such a 80's film. Everything from the technology, to the fashion, to the indoor smoking, the cheesy stop-motion, and the urban decay of Los Angeles. Don't get me wrong, that's part of the massive charm and historical importance of Terminator. James Cameron gets a lot of stuff right here. A lot of stuff wrong, but it anything wrong is easily dismissed as forgettable and/or part of the retro-charm.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
74
74th
Really great blend of action, horror, and thriller. Obviously the beginning of the most iconic role for our most iconic action hero. Biehn and Hamilton really put this over the top.
Rated 08 Jan 2012
88
95th
I think we all know the true star of this movie is the iguana.
Rated 02 Nov 2011
90
97th
The Terminator is a very solid action/science-fiction film, and still largely holds up to this day. The story it tells is interesting and smart, the action is intense and plentiful, and it ends up being a very satisfying experience. It does suffer from a couple of logical issues, and the special effects aren't always the best, but these are overcome by the film's strengths and the imposing presence of its titular character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Rated 12 Jul 2011
81
81st
Very entertaining and the action and drama are well balanced. It's weird cause I haven't seen this movie before, I always thought Arnie was the good guy. I'm such a douche
Rated 24 Feb 2011
99
99th
What sounds like typical 80s action schlock on paper became lightning in a bottle. It's one of those magic occurences when everyone was passionate and at their a-game. cameron had vision and the know-how, arnold was simply born for this role, and this role alone. I love T2, but this is just so much more genuinely badass. The tech noir sequence ranks high among my personal top 10. The way "burning in the third degree" fades into this menacing rhythm while guns are cocked is pure cinematic gold.
Rated 19 Jan 2011
90
86th
There are some people who call "The Terminator" an action movie. But it more closely resembles a slasher movie than an action film. Think about it. The Terminator goes from house to house murdering people named Sarah Conner. He eventually finds the Sarah Conner he's looking for and the chase begins. The Terminator has had a huge impact on film making and action films, and cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger's name as one of the greatest action stars of all time.
Rated 09 Oct 2010
40
34th
Whenever Arnie shoots his uzi he looks like he's holding a bodybuilding pose.
Rated 11 Jul 2010
85
87th
The perfect movie for Arnold. He gets to be a bad ass and his limited acting range works because he is supposed to be void of emotion. The plot was original and about as realistic as a plot about a cyborg and human going through time can be. For how low budget it is the action is great and I find myself usually still preferring old school make-up effects to the computer generated ones. Very fun stuff.
Rated 27 Dec 2009
90
99th
Knocking on 30 now but still pressing all the right buttons, The Terminator remains a fine example of how to do the action/thriller genre right. There are gripes (this "killing machine's" inability to shoot straight, the overly-choreographed false finales) but down to great work by the then-fresh Cameron the story and atmosphere draw you in and keep you there, providing a genuinely dark but accessible piece that they just don't make anymore.
Rated 06 Nov 2009
86
94th
TechNoir
Rated 17 Apr 2009
8
79th
It's not as good as the sequel, but who cares? The Terminator is still bad ass.
Rated 26 Jan 2009
70
54th
Awesome Schwarzenegger movie. MUST SEE for everyone.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
84
87th
A movie classic I wanted to see for a while and I didn't regret it one bit. The film is.. great I think, Arnold is awesome, lot of action, humour sometimes. What more do you want? At the end it gets a bit too much maybe, that's why I haven't rated him higher.
Rated 29 Aug 2008
93
93rd
So much done w/ so little money & it still looks great.
Rated 01 Aug 2008
87
86th
Absolute classic, with the relentless terminator (The definitive "baddie" Terminator) being just fucking badass, and some quality effects. A real terrifying movie.
Rated 30 Jun 2008
85
88th
It is one of the great movies of the decade of 80, and besides having a beautiful script, it launched Arnold to a stardom. Undoubtedly a landmark of the scientific fiction.
Rated 14 Jun 2008
96
99th
Very Great
Rated 26 Mar 2008
80
69th
There's some quite bad acting but Arnold fits his role perfectly. Nice low budget effects and let's face it, it was pretty groundbreaking when it came out.
Rated 22 Jan 2008
70
90th
More inhuman terminator than both of the cyborgs in the sequel. The police station scene is still frightening. Too bad the special effects have aged badly.
Rated 09 Nov 2007
85
84th
There's some mysterious intensity in this flick that has survived through the years..
Rated 19 Oct 2007
50
29th
Original at the time. Doesn't stand up well to repeat viewing. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.
Rated 29 Sep 2007
80
77th
Great action lead by a suspenseful, interersting plot and screenplay. Linda Hamilton gives an accomplished performance and Schwarzenegger is totally realistic as a cyborg.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
92nd
The first, and easily the best, of the Terminator franchise. Nothing tops an evil, unkillable Arnie! I only liked him more as Conan in Conan The Barbarian. Biehn and Hamilton play off well together and the story is strong and well paced.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
86th
Cassic sci-fi action, and a perfect role for Arnold, since he doesn't have to speak much.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
75th
The special effects really hold up well and I really enjoyed the bittersweet love story. I just wish I'd seen this long before I'd learned the twists of the story - I can't imagine how cool it would be not to know that Arnold's character was a cyborg until it's revealed in the movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
34th
Filmmakers had the good idea to cast Schwarzenegger as a robot. Film itself is nothing special.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
83rd
I can't believe that I've reviewed 175 films yet I've not reviewed The Terminator. What can I say about this movie? A good film, great at the time. T2 is still the best of the three so far. Arnold rocks and Linda Hamilton in the last five minutes of the film establishes a charecter for the ages. (I'm actually watching the film right now - police station masssacre scene). This is an icon of a movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
63
61st
Genre smashing coolness. An unstoppable robot is... er, stopped by a fellow time traveler.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
99th
The next best example of archetypes in film behind Star Wars.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
9
98th
Strikingly different than its sequel, but excellent in its own way. Darker, grittier, lower-tech, and grinding forward with a great electronic soundtrack, Arnold created a hell of a scary character here. The police station massacre is a brilliant set piece.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
Terrific special effects despite the modest budget, and not a frame of film wasted in this film that hopefully will one day be recognized for the masterpiece that it is.
Rated 04 Jun 2007
76
59th
poor bill paxton didnt see that one comin...
Rated 16 Apr 2007
78
84th
The first of the Terminator films is both inspired and slightly flawed but still makes for some great action-based entertainment.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
87
89th
In a lot of ways, this film is better than the much acclaimed second entry.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
55
49th
Good film.
Rated 14 Feb 2007
8
82nd
Looks incredibly dated when compared to T2 but it is still a great film and Arnold was perfectly cast and fits the role to perfection. Features one of the worst sex scenes ever committed to film.
Rated 19 Jan 2007
80
89th
The Governator at his best.
Rated 13 Dec 2006
85
69th
COME WID ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE
Rated 06 Oct 2024
73
49th
audiovisual 78 acting 60 overall feeling 81 avg 73; dojebany klimacik, może trochę przestarzały, szczególnie efekty specjalne, czasem mniej znaczy lepiej, ale klimat przynajmniej autentyczny i dodaje uroku, pewnie byłoby bardziej 80, gdyby nie gra aktorska (poza Arnoldem, który jest dojebany)
Rated 23 Sep 2024
81
66th
fun action/sci fi. Music is cool. Special effects are even more dated that I expected.
Rated 02 Sep 2024
85
62nd
pure genre
Rated 09 Aug 2024
60
44th
"The Terminator" is a solid film with good action and a memorable lead portrayed fittingly by Arnold Schwarzenegger - it can be fun to watch him lay everything to waste. I also appreciate the character arc of the otherwise bland Sarah Connor. Nevertheless, the script is particularly one-note, so after a while it feels like you're watching the same scene over and over again. Moreover, the romance is mediocre and feels forced, and the shots of the fake Schwarzenegger face are way too unconvincing.
Rated 17 May 2024
85
95th
James Cameron's modern masterpiece from 1984, recognized as one of the best films in the sci-fi genre to date.
Rated 23 Mar 2024
85
79th
For a $3 million budget this is fucking incredible. James Cameron is amazing.
Rated 09 Feb 2024
50
10th
"I'll be back" to rewatch this and figure out where the hype is coming from.
Rated 05 Dec 2023
80
73rd
Mit den Maschinen muss man aufpassen. Nicht zu unterschätzen, diese Blechheinis.
Rated 24 Nov 2023
86
89th
"Come With Me If You Want To Live". Clássico. Acho que tem uma "barriga" aqui ou ali, mas continua bem agradável de assistir.
Rated 21 Nov 2023
80
90th
Dated mostly by its weird score (especially during action scenes), and very choppy stop-motion animation during the final battle. But still great entertainment, and laid the foundation for the all-time classic sequel.
Rated 12 Nov 2023
87
85th
Stylish, original, and zippy, but the action is better than the romance.
Rated 06 Sep 2023
88
60th
A classic sci-fi film. The inventive premise is supported by a slow build of a plot and some great, gritty action sequences. Schwarzenegger's acting deficiencies are masked by an understated, laconic performance. One of the most iconic films of the 80's.

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