Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
95%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: Won 4 Oscars
36 wins & 33 nominations total
T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi/ action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is like a time-traveling rollercoaster ride that never gets old. With its groundbreaking special effects, thrilling action sequences, and badass female lead, this movie is a true classic that still holds up today. Plus, who doesn’t love a good cyborg with a heart of gold? Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first-time viewer, T2 is a must-see for anyone who loves sci-fi, action, or just a damn good movie. Hasta la vista, baby!
Production Company(ies)
Carolco Pictures, Pacific Western Lightstorm Entertainment,
Distributor
TriStar Pictures, Pioneer Entertainment, Artisan Entertainment, Live Video
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Bayside Parkway & Gateway Blvd., Fremont, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong sci-fi action and violence, and for language
Year of Release
1991
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 16m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 3, 1991 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 13, 2007
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
Terminator 2, Judgment Day, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, James Cameron, directed by James Cameron, written by James Cameron, William Wisher Jr., action, sci-fi, box office, budget, R rating, reviewed by Bill Cosford, Jay Carr, Nick Schager, Richard Roeper, Chuck Bowen, Justin Clark, Stephen Silver, Mike Massie, Richard Trenholm, Ed Travis, Sean Mulvihill, Alan French, starring Earl Boen, Joe Morton, TriStar Pictures, Pioneer Entertainment, Artisan Entertainment, Live Video, surround sound, scope aspect ratio, Terminator franchise
Worldwide gross: $520,881,154
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,149,788,427
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 80
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 125,385,870
US/Canada gross: $205,881,154
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $454,460,228
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 87
US/Canada opening weekend: $31,765,506
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $70,118,895
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 137
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $102,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $225,153,893
Production budget ranking: 58
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $121,245,371
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $803,389,163
ROI to date (est.): 232%
ROI ranking: 571
Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor
Edward Furlong – John Connor
Robert Patrick – T-1000
Earl Boen – Dr. Peter Silberman
Joe Morton – Dr. Miles Bennett Dyson
Director(s)
James Cameron
Writer(s)
James Cameron, William Wisher Jr.
Producer(s)
James Cameron
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
Won 4 Oscars
36 wins & 33 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Makeup Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Editing Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Mixing Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Visual Effects Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (83) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (77) | Rotten (6)
Amazing things happen in Terminator 2, things you’ve never seen in movies — things you didn’t know the movies could do.
August 17, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Bill Cosford
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
This time Mr. Heavy Metal is on the side of the good guys. Naturally, he isn’t quite as much fun.
April 27, 2018
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Twenty-six years later, T2 has lost none of its thrilling power, feminist ferocity, and ominous foreboding-and seen on a big screen, it still puts most of its modern Hollywood progeny to shame.
August 31, 2017
Nick Schager
The Daily Beast
TOP CRITIC
Even though this movie was made nearly 30 years ago, almost nothing about it feels dated.
August 31, 2017 | Rating: 4/4
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Twenty-six years after its release on Independence Day weekend in 1991, it’s difficult not to watch Terminator 2: Judgement Day through a scrim of irony.
August 21, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
Chuck Bowen
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Linda Hamilton gets so little due respect over the years for how much of the film’s midsection rides on her.
July 7, 2016
Justin Clark
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Its legacy still holds up today, thanks to all of those elements- the plot, the effects, the action, and that performance from its leading man. (30th anniversary)
July 16, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Stephen Silver
Tilt Magazine
While bigger isn’t always better, writer/director James Cameron’s follow-up is genuinely bigger and better in nearly every way.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
James Cameron’s update of his sci-fi action classic is a great night at the movies. Just don’t expect it to change your mind about 3D.
April 16, 2019
Richard Trenholm
CNET
Inarguably one of the greatest sequels ever made, Terminator 2 builds itself upon a few key ideas that upend the audience’s expectations and work like gangbusters with industry-altering technological execution.
November 2, 2018
Ed Travis
Cinapse
No matter how bad the sequels get they can’t undo the greatness of Terminator 2. This is a movie that will live forever.
October 31, 2018 | Rating: 5/5
Sean Mulvihill
FanboyNation.com
Cameron’s vision makes the engine go and shows why he is one of the best blockbuster directors ever.
October 10, 2018 | Rating: 4/4
Alan French
AwardsCircuit.com…
Plot
Over 10 years have passed since the first machine called The Terminator tried to kill Sarah Connor and her unborn son, John. The man who will become the future leader of the human resistance against the Machines is now a healthy young boy. However, another Terminator, called the T-1000, is sent back through time by the supercomputer Skynet. This new Terminator is more advanced and more powerful than its predecessor and its mission is to kill John Connor when he’s still a child. However, Sarah and John do not have to face the threat of the T-1000 alone. Another Terminator (identical to the same model that tried and failed to kill Sarah Connor in 1984) is also sent back through time to protect them. Now, the battle for tomorrow has begun.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance as the T-800 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day is considered one of his most iconic roles.
James-Cameron.jpg
