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Terminator watch order

Terminator movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) first; they are the core story. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) is the direct sequel to T2, while Rise of the Machines, Salvation and Genisys are alternate timelines you can skip.

How to watch the Terminator movies in order: the full guide

All 8 films and series in the Terminator franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is The Terminator (1984); the first in chronological order is The Terminator (set in 1984).

Release order

  1. The Terminator (Movie, 1984): A T-800 hunts Sarah Connor; the place to start.
  2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Movie, 1991): The direct sequel and the franchise high point.
  3. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Movie, 2003): Judgment Day arrives in an alternate timeline; optional.
  4. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Series, 2008): A TV sequel to T2 that ignores T3; optional.
  5. Terminator Salvation (Movie, 2009): The future war, after T3; optional.
  6. Terminator Genisys (Movie, 2015): A timeline reboot; optional.
  7. Terminator: Dark Fate (Movie, 2019): The direct sequel to T2, with Linda Hamilton back as Sarah.
  8. Terminator Zero (Series, 2024): An anime series in its own timeline; optional.

Chronological order

  1. The Terminator (set in 1984): A T-800 hunts Sarah Connor; the place to start.
  2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (set in 1995): The direct sequel and the franchise high point.
  3. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (set in 2004): Judgment Day arrives in an alternate timeline; optional.
  4. Terminator Salvation (set in 2018): The future war, after T3; optional.
  5. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (set in 1999 & 2007): A TV sequel to T2 that ignores T3; optional.
  6. Terminator Genisys (set in 1984 & 2017): A timeline reboot; optional.
  7. Terminator: Dark Fate (set in 2020): The direct sequel to T2, with Linda Hamilton back as Sarah.
  8. Terminator Zero (set in 1997 & 2022): An anime series in its own timeline; optional.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Terminator movies in?

Watch The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) first; they are the core story. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) is the direct sequel to T2, while Rise of the Machines, Salvation and Genisys are alternate timelines you can skip.

How many Terminator movies and shows are there?

There are 8 titles in the Terminator franchise: 6 films and 2 series, released from 1984 to 2024.

How long does it take to watch all the Terminator movies?

About 39 hours for all 8 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (3 titles) take about 6 hours.

What is the first Terminator title in chronological order?

The Terminator, set in 1984. In release order the first is The Terminator (1984).

Which Terminator titles can I skip?

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Terminator Genisys, and Terminator Zero. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.