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Movies like

The Terminator

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

The Terminator poster

Why people love it

The Terminator works as a action movie with a point of view—fans quote moments, but they also argue about what the film is actually saying about power, desire, or survival. The action and thriller blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.

actionthrillerscience-fictionrewatchable

Runtime 1h 48m · ★ 7.7

Your 10 recommendations

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Showing 10 of 10 picks

  1. 96match

    1.Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

    8.1 · Action · Thriller · Science Fiction · 2h 17m

    Why you'll love it

    Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) is the natural next step after The Terminator: same action DNA, different perspective. The tense streak and thriller elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.

    Watch on

    • Paramount Plus Essential
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Plex(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  2. 94match

    2.The Book of Eli (2010)

    6.8 · Action · Thriller · Science Fiction · 1h 58m

    Why you'll love it

    Fans of The Terminator who respond to its action will find The Book of Eli (2010) immediately familiar. Both films share a thriller sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.

    Watch on

    • YouTube TV
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  3. 92match

    3.Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

    6.4 · Science Fiction · Action · Adventure · 2h 8m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason The Terminator fans keep landing on Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) — the action is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Plex(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  4. 90match

    4.Upgrade (2018)

    7.5 · Action · Thriller · Science Fiction · 1h 40m

    Why you'll love it

    Upgrade draws from the same action well as The Terminator, channeling thriller in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 2018 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  5. 88match

    5.Death Race (2008)

    6.3 · Action · Thriller · Science Fiction · 1h 45m

    Why you'll love it

    Death Race (2008) captures the action appeal of The Terminator without simply imitating it. The thriller streak running through both films is what puts Death Race at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.

    Watch on

    • Peacock Premium
    • Peacock Premium Plus
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  6. 86match

    6.Repo Men (2010)

    6.3 · Action · Science Fiction · Thriller · 1h 51m

    Why you'll love it

    The action appeal of The Terminator — that dark edge, the thriller — translates cleanly into Repo Men (2010). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.

    Watch on

    • Cinemax Amazon Channel
    • Cinemax Apple TV Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  7. 84match

    7.No Escape (1994)

    6.2 · Action · Drama · Science Fiction · 1h 58m

    Why you'll love it

    The filmmakers behind No Escape (1994) clearly understood what makes action work — the same quality that keeps The Terminator rewatchable. Expect the same tense rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Prime Video
    • Philo
    • Night Flight Plus
    • Fandor Amazon Channel
    • Screambox Amazon Channel
    • FlixFling
    • Eternal Family
    • Amazon Prime Video with Ads
    + Save for later
  8. 82match

    8.I Am Legend (2007)

    7.2 · Drama · Science Fiction · Thriller · 1h 41m

    Why you'll love it

    I Am Legend (2007) is the kind of film The Terminator fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The thriller overlap is real, but it's the tense emotional pull that seals the recommendation.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    • Plex(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  9. 80match

    9.Blade Runner (1982)

    7.9 · Science Fiction · Drama · Thriller · 1h 58m

    Why you'll love it

    Blade Runner shares The Terminator's gift for thriller — the 1982 film delivers science-fiction without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    • YouTube(Buy)
    • Fandango At Home(Buy)
    + Save for later
  10. 78match

    10.Chappie (2015)

    6.8 · Crime · Action · Science Fiction · 2h

    Why you'll love it

    Much of what makes The Terminator compelling — the action, the science-fiction — shows up in Chappie (2015) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that tense storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.

    Watch on

    • YouTube TV
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later

FAQ

What should I watch after The Terminator?
Try Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Book of Eli, Terminator: Dark Fate—each shares DNA with The Terminator while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is The Terminator?
The Terminator (1984) is best described as Action, Thriller, Science Fiction. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is The Terminator part of a franchise?
Yes—it's part of the "The Terminator Collection" storyline. You can enjoy it standalone, but sequels and tie-ins build on characters and continuity established here.

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