Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Michael Biehn,
Linda Hamilton,
Paul Winfield,
Lance Henriksen
... see more
Endlessly imitated, The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter/director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ... read more
Directed by: James Cameron
Release Date: October 26, 1984
DVD Release Date: September 3, 1997
Stats: 29,497 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (29,497)
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December 30, 2012
It sure is funny how memory plays tricks on you. I can tell you in which theater I saw the way ahead of its time Terminator back on initial release in 1984 (ironic that: 1984); and yet my memories of the film itself are shaded by a veil of "man that was awesome".
In viewing t... read more -
December 2, 2012
The well-written and exhilarating cyberpunk classic that started the successful franchise. A very intelligent science-fiction that is always extremely tense and well paced, offering the scary vision of a bleak post-apocalyptic future and a terrifying, indestructible villain.
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September 3, 2012
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In recent years the reputation of the action film has gone completely downhill. With a few exceptions, action movies have forgotten the power of narrative, by too often favouring artificial explosions an... read more -
August 3, 2012
A very intense and original science-fiction film. It's not as good as the sequel and some of the effects are dated, but that doesn't stop it from keeping you on the edge of your seat.
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August 3, 2012
The thing that won't die, in the nightmare that won't end.
Excellent Film! This is one of the great movies of the 80's. The Terminator is a thrilling sci-fi that entertains. This is the movie that got started James Camerons clime of fame. The action, suspense, plot, acting, and ... read more -
December 26, 2011
In a post apocalyptic future where humanity has been made all but extinct by rebellious technology, a relentless killing machine is sent back in time to assassinate the mother of the human resistance leader who represents their only hope of salvation. The original Terminator film... read more
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October 9, 2011
Though the Sequel is far more superior, this film is still fantastic. The effects for the time still look impressive, the plot is very creative and original, the acting is great, The music is incredible, and the action is fantastic. Arnold does one of his best performances with t... read more
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August 30, 2011
A classic and I love it, but the sequel is better and this is an iconic role for Arnold, I love this film.
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July 31, 2011fb729949618This film made Arnold. It also set a huge standard for other films as far as action sequences go.
Critic Reviews
An efficient, cold-blooded sci-fi splatter movie that never makes the mistake of forgetting that on some level it is deeply ridiculous. Full Review
As a souvenir of a kind of B-grade action cinema that has all but vanished, The Terminator should find a small place in the heart of every movie addict. Full Review
More than enough violence to make it a profoundly moral film; and Arnold's a whizz. Full Review
This is a monster movie, and the monster's role fits Mr. Schwarzenegger just fine. Full Review
The Terminator is a blazing, cinematic comic book, full of virtuoso moviemaking, terrific momentum, solid performances and a compelling story. Full Review
The movie's strength is that, like The Matrix, it combines action with ideas. Full Review
Still a toss-up between The Terminator and Aliens as to which James Cameron picture ranks as his best, this propulsively exciting yarn about a murderous cyborg has long staked its claim as a classic -... Full Review
Still one of the most harrowing science fiction films in James Cameron's repertoire... Full Review
Remains a surprisingly meditative work, its concentrated visceral bursts not unlike punctuation marks among something more brooding, even prayerful. Full Review
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