There Are Five Ways to Watch the Terminator Franchise in Order (And They’re All Very Different)

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Typically, movie franchises are enjoyed in order – starting with the first film and continuing forward. Recent examples like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune require this approach, with each film building on the last. However, some franchises become more complex. Prequels, and then sequels to those prequels (as seen in the X-Men series), can create confusing viewing orders. Similarly, newer installments in established franchises sometimes play with the timeline, offering fresh starting points (like the recent Predator films).

Some movies unnecessarily complicate their stories, and the Terminator series is a prime example. With six films and a TV show, the timeline has become incredibly confusing. Like the various Halloween reboots and sequels – some respecting the original story while others completely ignore it – the Terminator films are difficult to follow as a whole. Attempts to revive the series haven’t been well-received, adding to the confusion. Because of this, there are multiple ways to watch the series, which are outlined below.

5) The James Cameron Movies

For years, the Terminator movies were really just considered the first two films directed by James Cameron, and many fans believe that’s where the series should have ended. These two movies work incredibly well together. The Terminator is a truly frightening, suspenseful film with a unique, raw style that perfectly introduced the idea of a relentless, time-traveling killer and Sarah Connor’s son, who was destined to save the world.

Alongside the original, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a fantastic sequel that completely subverts expectations. It directly addresses the events of the first film and takes its characters in surprising new directions, building on what came before. Importantly, T2 provides a definitive and memorable conclusion to the story.

4) The First Four Movies

It’s rare for any successful movie franchise to stay finished for long, and the Terminator series is no exception. If you want to watch the films in order, here’s a good way to do it: begin with the original The Terminator, then Terminator 2: Judgment Day, followed by Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and finally Terminator Salvation.

While the third and fourth Terminator movies aren’t quite as strong as the first two, watching the series in order still works well because of the consistent storyline. This is especially clear in John Connor’s journey and the introduction of his wife, Kate Brewster, who plays a major role in the fourth film. Salvation was intended to launch a new trilogy, but those plans never materialized, leaving the film with an unresolved ending focused only on Kyle Reese’s time travel.

3) The Original Films and the TV Series

If you didn’t enjoy the third and fourth Terminator movies, or were disappointed by Sarah Connor’s absence, this is a great way to experience the story. Watch the original Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day as you normally would, then continue with the TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. This 31-episode series picks up right after Judgment Day, showing John and Sarah on the run – something the later movies never really explored. While the show takes some liberties for the sake of being on TV, and occasionally relies on convenient plot devices, it offers a fresh take on these beloved characters. Be warned, though: the series was cancelled after two seasons, so the ending is unresolved and leaves some storylines hanging.

2) The Alternate Future

During the 2010s, the Terminator series saw another revival attempt with the film Terminator: Genisys. However, this movie largely ignored previous sequels and started a new storyline, and unfortunately, it wasn’t very good. Rewatching the original The Terminator and then Genisys highlights just how much the 2015 film missed the mark, but it’s also interesting because Genisys essentially reworks and reimagines the entire Terminator concept.

The film Genisys begins similarly to other Terminator movies, with Kyle Reese traveling back in time to protect Sarah Connor. However, it quickly changes things by showing a Sarah Connor who was raised by a Terminator and is already a skilled fighter when Reese arrives. Understanding the previous Terminator films helps appreciate Genisys, as it heavily borrows and reimagines elements from throughout the series. But, from a timeline standpoint, this approach of expanding the overall story feels like the most logical direction to take.

1) The Dark Fate Timeline

As a huge Terminator fan, the way they approached ‘Dark Fate’ really struck me. It felt like a proper continuation of the original two films – you absolutely need to watch ‘The Terminator’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’ first, and then ‘Dark Fate’ picks up the story right there. Like a lot of sequels these days, it essentially ignores everything that happened in the other films. Honestly, the biggest talking point wasn’t the films it skipped over, but how they wrapped up John Connor’s arc using some pretty convincing CGI. Despite that, I think a lot of us really enjoyed it! Seeing Linda Hamilton back as a hardened Sarah Connor was fantastic, and Mackenzie Davis as Grace brought a really fresh take to the whole machine war concept.

If you’re looking for the best way to experience the entire Terminator series beyond the first two films directed by James Cameron, this is likely it. Notably, Cameron actively contributed to this sequel, co-writing the story and serving as a producer—something he didn’t do for other installments. Plus, he’s currently working on a seventh Terminator movie, which will inevitably offer another way to enjoy the franchise when it’s released.

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2026-04-11 17:11