What is the best order to watch Terminator?

For first-timers, we recommend Release Order as it's the intended experience. For rewatches, Timeline/Chronological Order offers a fresh perspective by following the in-universe chronology.

How many titles are in Terminator?

Terminator currently includes content across multiple formats. Use the section filters to view specific content types and the order variants to choose your preferred viewing order.

Should I watch Terminator in release order or chronological order?

Release order is best for first-time viewers as it preserves the creators' intended narrative reveals. Chronological order is great for rewatches and understanding the timeline better.

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Terminator

edited 2026-05-21

A complete viewing order for the Terminator franchise — all six theatrical films, the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and the animated series Terminator Zero. Covers four mutually-exclusive continuity lines branching from T2, plus release order for the full series.

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Tags · [original-timeline][cameron-canon][genisys-timeline][tscc-canon]

page order

films3 items · 3 unwatched

01FILM

1984James Cameron's 1984 science fiction action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cybernetic assassin — a Terminator — sent back in time…

1h 47m

02FILM

1991James Cameron's 1991 sequel, again starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a reprogrammed T-800 sent back in time — this time to protect a young J…

2h 17m

03FILM

2015The 2015 standalone reboot directed by Alan Taylor, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, and Jai Courtney. Kyle Rees…

2h 6m

tv series2 items · 2 unwatched

animated series1 items · 1 unwatched