Netflix’s New Sci-Fi Looks Like The Perfect Terminator Replacement

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Netflix wants to be the main place people go for all kinds of TV shows and movies. They’ve invested heavily in big-budget action films like The Gray Man and comedies with famous actors, like Don’t Look Up, and they offer a lot of romantic comedies and dramas too. But what about more specialized genres, like sci-fi that blends horror and action?

Netflix’s attempt to revive the Terminator universe with the 2024 anime series Terminator Zero didn’t attract enough viewers, leading to its cancellation. However, a recently released trailer suggests Netflix has another, potentially even more successful, new series in the works that could become a major franchise.

Netflix’s War Machine Is Terminator For the Modern Era

Patrick Hughes, known for directing films like The Expendables 3 and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, brings us War Machine. The movie features Alan Ritchson, who recently starred as Reacher, alongside Dennis Quaid, Jai Courtney, and others, playing new recruits in a rigorous U.S. Army Rangers training program. Their training quickly becomes a real fight for survival when a massive, potentially alien, killer robot crashes nearby and starts attacking the squad. While simply surviving is the priority, these skilled Rangers also have another important mission to complete.

James Cameron’s first Terminator movie was simple and exciting: two heroes trying to outrun a relentless killer robot. The new film, War Machine, is aiming for that same direct approach, and we hope it delivers the same thrills. The Terminator created a whole franchise, but it lost its way after the second movie. The problem was that the original, urgent story of trying to prevent a disaster was replaced by complicated time travel plots that became confusing and repetitive.

War Machine benefits from being the start of a bigger alien invasion storyline. Even if Ritchson’s character doesn’t make it, this powerful alien robot tank is only one weapon in a larger arsenal. If—or when—it’s defeated, there are likely plans to send even more forces to deal with any remaining resistance, immediately building excitement for a potential War Machine 2.

Netflix is really trying to become the go-to place for entertainment, and launching a franchise like War Machine could encourage viewers to return often for big movie releases, similar to how people go to the cinema. This role also seems ideal for Alan Ritchson, building on the success of his popular character in Reacher.

The action movie War Machine will be available to stream on Netflix starting March 6th. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on your favorite action films on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-06 17:40