How to Watch The Terminator in Order
To watch Terminator: Dark Fate, start with The Terminator.
Watch The Terminator in release order for a first viewing — start with The Terminator (1984). There are 6 films, released between 1984–2019. That is 12.1 hours of viewing. Only 3 are essential to follow the story — 6.2 hours.
The full checklist
0 of 6 watched- 1The Terminator1984Essential108m
- 2Terminator 2: Judgment Day1991Essential137m
- 3Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines2003109m
- 4Terminator Salvation2009115m
- 5Terminator Genisys2015126m
- 6Terminator: Dark Fate2019Essential128m
Ranked by rating
Full ranking with scores →- 1Terminator 2: Judgment Day19918.2
- 2The Terminator19847.7
- 3Terminator: Dark Fate20196.4
- 4Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines20036.2
- 5Terminator Salvation20096.1
- 6Terminator Genisys20156.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order to watch The Terminator?
For a first viewing, watch The Terminator in release order, starting with The Terminator (1984) and ending with Terminator: Dark Fate (2019). That is the order the story was written to be discovered in.
How many The Terminator films are there?
There are 6 The Terminator films.
Can I skip any The Terminator films?
3 of the 6 films carry the main story: The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Terminator: Dark Fate. The other 3 can be skipped on a first watch without losing the plot.
Where should a first-time viewer start with The Terminator?
Start with The Terminator, released in 1984. It introduces the characters and setting the later films build on.
How long does it take to watch all of The Terminator?
Watching every The Terminator film takes 12.1 hours. Sticking to the 3 essential films takes 6.2 hours.