You can skip 5 of the 8 titles in the Terminator franchise and still follow the main story: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Terminator Genisys, and Terminator Zero. The essentials (3 titles) take about 6 hours instead of 39 hours.
- Skippable
- 5
- Essentials
- 3
- Time saved
- 33 hours
Safe to skip
- Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines2003 · Film · 1h 49m · optionalJudgment Day arrives in an alternate timeline; optional.
- Terminator Salvation2009 · Film · 1h 55m · optionalThe future war, after T3; optional.
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles2008 · Series · 23h 3m · optionalA TV sequel to T2 that ignores T3; optional.
- Terminator Genisys2015 · Film · 2h 6m · optionalA timeline reboot; optional.
- Terminator Zero2024 · Series · 3h 50m · optionalAn anime series in its own timeline; optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2003 · Film · 1h 49m · optional
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.
Why it matters: Judgment Day arrives in an alternate timeline; optional.
- Starring
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, and Claire Danes
- Director
- Jonathan Mostow
- Box office
- $435 million on a $200 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 70%
No. 02 · 2008 · Series · 23h 3m · optional
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The series picks up four years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day with John and Sarah Connor trying to stay under-the-radar from the government, as they plot to destroy the computer network, Skynet, in hopes of preventing Armageddon.
Why it matters: A TV sequel to T2 that ignores T3; optional.
- Starring
- Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, and Summer Glau
- Creator
- Josh Friedman
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 84%
- Episodes
- 31 across 2 seasons
No. 03 · 2009 · Film · 1h 55m · optional
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.
Why it matters: The future war, after T3; optional.
- Starring
- Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, and Moon Bloodgood
- Director
- McG
- Box office
- $371 million on a $200 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 33%
No. 04 · 2015 · Film · 2h 6m · optional
Terminator Genisys
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John's fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.
Why it matters: A timeline reboot; optional.
- Starring
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, and Emilia Clarke
- Director
- Alan Taylor
- Box office
- $441 million on a $155 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 26%
No. 05 · 2024 · Series · 3h 50m · optional
Terminator Zero
A warrior from a post-apocalyptic future travels to 1997 to protect an AI scientist being hunted by an unfeeling — and indestructible — cyborg.
Why it matters: An anime series in its own timeline; optional.
- Starring
- Yuuya Uchida, Hiro Shimono, and Saori Hayami
- Creator
- Mattson Tomlin
- Scores
- IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 87%
- Episodes
- 8
The essentials, in release order
- The Terminator1984 · Film · 1h 48mA T-800 hunts Sarah Connor; the place to start.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day1991 · Film · 2h 17mThe direct sequel and the franchise high point.
- Terminator: Dark Fate2019 · Film · 2h 8mThe direct sequel to T2, with Linda Hamilton back as Sarah.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Terminator title?
No. You can skip 5 of the 8 titles in the Terminator franchise and still follow the main story: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Terminator Genisys, and Terminator Zero. The essentials (3 titles) take about 6 hours instead of 39 hours.
How long are the Terminator essentials?
About 6 hours for 3 titles, in release order starting with The Terminator.
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