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The Complete Terminator Universe Watch Order Guide: Chronological Timeline and Release Order for Movies, TV Shows, and Video Games

The Terminator franchise is a long-running science fiction series that includes movies, TV shows, and video games. With so many entries in the series, it can be difficult to know where to start or what order to watch everything in. In this guide, we'll provide a comprehensive list of the Terminator franchise in chronological order.

Movies and TV shows

  1. The Terminator (1984) - A cyborg assassin known as the Terminator is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, who will give birth to the leader of the human resistance in a future war against machines.
  2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - A new and advanced Terminator model, the T-1000, is sent back in time to kill young John Connor, while an older and reprogrammed T-800 is sent to protect him.
  3. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) - A new Terminator, the T-X, is sent back in time to kill John Connor's future lieutenants, while an older T-800 model is sent to protect him once again.
  4. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009) - A TV series that takes place after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, where Sarah and John Connor team up with a reprogrammed Terminator named Cameron to prevent the rise of Skynet.
  5. Terminator Salvation (2009) - Set in a post-apocalyptic future, this movie follows John Connor's efforts to lead the human resistance against Skynet.
  6. Terminator Genisys (2015) - In this alternate timeline, Skynet sends a T-800 back in time to kill Sarah Connor before she can become the mother of John Connor, but Kyle Reese is also sent back to protect her.
  7. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) - A new Terminator, the Rev-9, is sent back in time to kill a young woman named Dani Ramos, but she is protected by a reprogrammed T-800 and Sarah Connor.

Chronological Watch Order

The Terminator franchise is a complex story that spans several movies, TV shows, and video games. For fans who want to dive into the series, the question of where to start can be daunting. While there are a few different ways to watch the series, the best viewing order depends on what you want to get out of the experience. If you're interested in following the storyline in chronological order, you'll need to start with the events of the first Terminator movie, released in 1984. From there, you can move on to the sequels, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, and Terminator Genisys. If you want to incorporate the TV shows and video games into your viewing experience, the order becomes a bit more complicated.

And here's a list of the best chronological viewing order for the Terminator franchise:

1. The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator Streaming on Amazon

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (TV show, 2008-2009)

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Terminator Genisys (2015)

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)








Note that the TV show, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, takes place after the events of Terminator 2 and before the events of Terminator 3. This show is not essential viewing, but it does add some interesting context to the overall story. Additionally, the video games are not necessary to understand the main plot of the movies and TV shows, but they can be a fun addition for fans who want to explore the franchise more deeply.

Direct Movie Tie-In Video Games

There have been a number of video games based on the Terminator franchise over the years, and some of them directly tie into the movies. These games offer players a chance to experience the events of the movies in a new way, with gameplay that often follows the plot of the film closely. From the classic arcade shooter to modern first-person shooters, there's a Terminator game for every kind of player. Here are some of the most notable games that tie directly into the movies.

  1. The Terminator (1990) - A side-scrolling action game that follows the plot of the first Terminator movie. It was released on NES, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, and Game Gear.

  2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - A side-scrolling action game that follows the plot of the second Terminator movie. It was released on NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Gear.

  3. RoboCop versus The Terminator (1993) - A side-scrolling action game that features both RoboCop and the Terminator. It was released on SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Sega Game Gear.

  4. Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Chess Wars (1993) - A chess game that features characters from the second Terminator movie. It was released on Sega Genesis and Sega CD.

  5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day - The Arcade Game (1991) - An arcade shooter game that follows the plot of the second Terminator movie. It was released in arcades.

  6. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) - A first-person shooter game that follows the plot of the third Terminator movie. It was released on Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance.

  7. Terminator 3: The Redemption (2004) - A third-person shooter game that follows the plot of the third Terminator movie. It was released on Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube.

  8. Terminator Salvation (2009) - A third-person shooter game that follows the plot of the fourth Terminator movie. It was released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

  9. Terminator Genisys: Future War (2017) - A mobile strategy game that is based on the fifth Terminator movie. It was released on iOS and Android.

  10. Terminator: Resistance (2019) - A first-person shooter game that takes place in the future after the events of the second Terminator movie. It was released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Standalone Video Games

Some Terminator games also have standalone stories and their own self-contained narratives that are not directly connected to any of the movies or TV shows. These games often introduce new characters and settings while still staying true to the overarching themes of the Terminator franchise. Some of the most popular standalone Terminator games include Terminator: Future Shock and its sequel Terminator: SkyNET, which are first-person shooter games set in a post-apocalyptic future where players must battle Skynet and its army of killer machines. Another notable standalone game is Terminator: Dawn of Fate, a third-person shooter that serves as a prequel to the events of the first Terminator movie. These games offer a fresh take on the Terminator universe and provide an opportunity for fans to experience new stories within the franchise.
  1. The Terminator: Rampage (1993) - PC: This is a first-person shooter game set in a post-apocalyptic future where players take on the role of a resistance fighter battling Skynet's army of robots.

  2. The Terminator: 2029 (1992) - PC: This game is set before the events of the first Terminator movie and follows the story of a group of human soldiers fighting against Skynet's forces.

  3. The Terminator: Future Shock (1995) - PC: A first-person shooter set in the post-apocalyptic future where players must battle Skynet's robots and complete missions to save humanity.

  4. The Terminator: SkyNET (1996) - PC: A first-person shooter set in the post-apocalyptic future where players must complete missions to stop Skynet from launching a missile attack on the remaining human resistance.

  5. Terminator: Dawn of Fate (2002) - PS2, Xbox: This is a prequel to the first Terminator movie and follows the story of a young Kyle Reese as he fights against Skynet's forces.

  6. Terminator Salvation (2009) (mobile game) - iOS, Android: This is a third-person shooter game based on the movie of the same name, where players take on the role of John Connor as he battles against Skynet's robots.

  7. Terminator Genisys: Revolution (2015) (mobile game) - iOS, Android: A third-person shooter game set in the post-apocalyptic future, where players must battle Skynet's robots and complete missions to save humanity.

  8. Terminator Genisys: Guardian (2015) (mobile game) - iOS, Android: A strategy game where players must build and defend a base against Skynet's attacks.

  9. Terminator: Resistance (2019) - PC, PS4, Xbox One: This is a first-person shooter set in the post-apocalyptic future where players take on the role of a resistance fighter battling against Skynet's army of robots.

In conclusion, the Terminator franchise has been a mainstay in popular culture for over three decades, spawning movies, television shows, and video games. The story of Skynet and the battle between man and machine has captivated audiences and has only continued to evolve over the years. By watching the Terminator movies and shows in chronological order, fans can fully immerse themselves in the complex narrative and understand the deep history of the Terminator universe. Additionally, playing the Terminator video games can add a new dimension to the experience and allow fans to participate in the fight against the machines. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, there is something for everyone in the Terminator franchise.

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