$261M Terminator Franchise Disappointment Makes a Comeback on Netflix’s Global Chart After 5 Years

The Terminator franchise, which began with the iconic 1984 film, has recently seen a resurgence in popularity through Netflix. Despite facing significant disappointments at the box office, the franchise has successfully maintained its presence across both film and television, with a total of six movies and two series produced over the years.

Among these, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is frequently heralded as the pinnacle of the series and one of the greatest sequels in cinema history. However, subsequent entries from 2003 to 2019 failed to replicate the accolades and box office success of the initial two films. The franchise also explored the small screen with Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles from 2008 to 2009, and most recently, it expanded into anime with Terminator Zero, launched on Netflix in 2024.

Terminator: Dark Fate Achieves Streaming Success

The 2019 Film Brought Back Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator Dark Fate

Mackenzie Davis and Linda Hamilton in Terminator Dark Fate

Released in 2019, Terminator: Dark Fate has recently gained traction on Netflix, where it successfully reunited iconic stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton for the first time since Terminator 2. Although the film received better reviews than its predecessors, Terminator Salvation and Terminator Genisys, it did not live up to the legacy of the original movies and was considered a commercial letdown, generating only $261 million against a production budget of nearly $200 million.

Produced by James Cameron, Terminator: Dark Fate has made notable strides in the streaming market. According to Netflix‘s Global Top 10, the film has become a significant streaming success, earning its spot as the eighth most-watched movie in the past week, racking up 5.8 million views. Impressively, it features in the top 10 lists of 57 countries worldwide, particularly excelling in European nations such as Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Serbia, and Sweden. However, it is noteworthy that Terminator: Dark Fate is currently unavailable for streaming in the United States. Below is a summary of Netflix’s Global Top 10 for the week:

Rank	Movie
1	Carry-On
2	The Six Triple Eight
3	Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
4	That Christmas
5	Disaster Holiday
6	Our Little Secret
7	The Protégé
8	Terminator: Dark Fate
9	Cold Blood Legacy
10	The Dead Don’t Die

Our Insight on the Franchise’s Revival

A Positive Indicator for the Future of Terminator

Grace holding back Dani in Terminator: Dark Fate

Despite its underwhelming box office performance, the growing viewership of Terminator: Dark Fate on Netflix signals that the film is finding a broader audience. This revival of interest is encouraging for the franchise’s future, especially as the renowned director James Cameron continues working on the script for Terminator 7. If the current enthusiasm for the Terminator brand continues, upcoming projects may see robust performances on both international and domestic fronts.

Moreover, the introduction of Terminator Zero has further invigorated interest in the series, successfully channeling extra views towards Dark Fate. As the franchise evolves, it remains crucial to monitor this trend of engagement among audiences across streaming platforms.

Source: Netflix

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