Terminator fans have to check out this sci-fi thriller that might not have been a huge box office hit, but feels spiritually connected to one of the most iconic movie franchises of all time. Terminator continues to be one of the most important franchises to date. That is a huge feat for two very different reasons.
One of those is the sci-fi movie franchise’s longevity, as James Cameron’s first Terminator movie was released on October 26, 1984. As such, nearly 42 years have passed since it all started, and still new projects continue to come out. The other is how the Terminator franchise has endured multiple divisive sequels that did not match the epic levels of its first two movies.
That is where Netflix comes in. No, the streaming service has not yet released a Terminator movie. That said, one of Netflix’s best TV shows is the short-lived Terminator: Zero. The animated series holds a stellar 87% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, the streamer is also the home of the perfect modern Terminator movie, though it is unconnected to Cameron’s hit franchise.
That would be The Creator, which was released in theaters on September 29, 2023. The movie racked up $104 million during its theatrical run, arriving on Netflix in the United States on March 20, with it currently available on Hulu. After that, the film went on to trend on Netflix’s worldwide chart, and subscribers who are Terminator fans will find a lot to enjoy.
The Creator Is Basically The Best Terminator Movie Since Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Essentially, The Creator acts like the best Terminator movie since Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released all the way back in 1991. As far as sci-fi movies go, The Creator is simply one of the genre’s most visually stunning releases. From its robotic characters to gigantic ships and structures to grand landscapes with advanced technology, The Creator always puts on a visual show for audiences. In addition to that, The Creator touches on the Terminator franchise’s core element: Artificial intelligence. The Terminator movies revolve around the powerful AI known as Skynet, with the heroes trying to stop it at any cost.
The Creator is also a movie about the dangers of AI. In the sci-fi thriller that is streaming worldwide on Netflix, John David Washington’s Joshua Taylor is one of the few humans left in a world where AI started a war between humans and machines after being the cause of a nuclear explosion in Los Angeles. In this 2070 version of Earth where AI took over, Terminator fans will find the same gritty tone of the post-war world in the franchise from after Skynet took over. However, there is a key twist that separates both, and Terminator fans should find it appealing.
The Creator Shows A Path Forward For Future Terminator Movies
There are multiple ways in which the Terminator franchise could learn from The Creator for future releases after most of its films since Terminator 2: Judgment Day were divisive. Sure, Gareth Edwards would also make a fine director for the franchise, given his extensive knowledge of the sci-fi genre, as he also helmed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Jurassic World Rebirth. However, what the Terminator franchise really needs to learn from The Creator is how to be as cost-effective as possible while keeping the VFX at the highest level.
The Creator‘s reported budget was $80 million, which is considerably lower than all modern entries in the Terminator franchise, also coming in a bit lower than Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and only being higher than Cameron’s original Terminator movie. With a modest budget, an emotional and nuanced take on AI, stunning visuals, thrilling technology, and strong performances, The Creator emerges as everything a modern Terminator movie should aspire to be, so I hope those responsible for the iconic franchise are taking notes.
-
-
- Movie(s)
-
The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation (2009), Terminator Genisys (2015), Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
- Created by
-
James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
- First Film
-
The Terminator
- Latest Film
-
Terminator: Dark Fate
- First TV Show
-
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
- Latest TV Show
-
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The Terminator franchise, launched by James Cameron in 1984, explores a dystopian future where intelligent machines wage war against humanity. The relentless pursuit of key human figures by time-traveling cyborg assassins known as Terminators is central to the narrative. John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance, is the core target of the malicious machines.
