Rate the Terminator Film Series: From Worst to Best

The Terminator film series has captivated audiences with its dystopian future and iconic machine enemies. From The Terminator in 1984 to recent entries like Terminator Genisys, these films have seen alternatingly great and underwhelming performances. Let's analyze and rank the films to determine their place in the franchise.

Terminator Genisys (2015)

Terminator Genisys, produced by Paramount Pictures, is another attempt at reviving the Terminator franchise. The filmmakers opted to go back to the beginning, creating an alternate timeline where Kyle Reese, played by Jai Courtney, is sent back to protect Emilia Clarke’s Sarah Connor. This approach brought fresh ideas to the table, including a memorable scene of young and old Arnold Schwarzenegger facing off. However, the film's second half suffers due to a ridiculous plot twist that was tragically spoiled in the marketing campaign. Despite its flaws, it offers enough memorable moments to barely justify the watch for franchise fans.

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Terminator Salvation, released by Warner Bros., is the only film in the series not starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was then serving as California’s governor. This movie marks the first time the narrative focuses on the post-apocalyptic war between humans and machines. It was an ambitious attempt to venture into new territory but ultimately failed in capturing the time-travel intrigue that made the original trilogy so appealing. The film was forgettable and bland. Christian Bale and Bryce Dallas Howard added some star power, but Bale's on-set rant is the most interesting part of the movie.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is where the Terminator franchise begins to descend into mediocrity, directed by Jonathan Mostow. Though the film had to follow in the footsteps of James Cameron, it relied too much on tongue-in-cheek humor and recycled previous plot elements. Kristanna Loken stars as the T-800’s opponent, bringing an additional layer of complexity to the fight. The film performs a decent job at concluding the pre-apocalypse trilogy with a haunting finale that hints at John Connor’s future leadership.

The Terminator (1984)

Nostalgia and fans of the original The Terminator will undoubtedly find it a classic. Despite outdated visual effects, its storyline remains timeless. Michael Biehn’s played Kyle Reese and Linda Hamilton as the definitive version of Sarah Connor. The film set the foundation for the series, introducing iconic characters and themes that would be revisited in subsequent films.

The Terminator film series is a mixed bag, with each entry bringing its unique contribution to the franchise. Whether you watch them in order or revisit them for nostalgic reasons, there is plenty to enjoy in each movie.