Even though this franchise has struggled to stay afloat since Terminator 3, it’s still one of the more beloved sci-fi franchises, thanks to some incredible films to start with. But did you know there are also books and comics? This is the Terminator timeline.
What’s on the Terminator Timeline?
The Terminator timeline is tricky to arrange, since it involves time travel, the result of which leads to alternate timelines. Terminator has also spawned a lot of comics and other tie-in media, most of which is not considered canonical, especially the comics that often crossed over with the likes of Robocop or other franchises.
However, we have included some of these on the timeline. We also include the Sarah Connor Chronicles that aired on television, even though these have only a loose connection to the films. All in all, we think this is the best order to experience a more complete story of the Terminator franchise.
Where to Start?
By far the best place to start is with the first two films, Terminator, and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. These films are the reason the franchise has lasted this long, even though most would agree that none of the sequels have ever been that good.
If you like this timeline, be sure to share with your friends, and check out some of our other timelines, such as the Dune reading order.
| # | Amazon | Name | Media | Author/Director | Date | Series | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | The Terminator 2029 to 1984 | Graphic Novel | Zack Whedon | 2010-03-01 | Terminator | |
| 2 | | The Terminator | Film | James Cameron | 1984-10-26 | Terminator | |
| 3 | | Tempest and One Shot | Graphic Novel | John Arcudi, James A. Robinson | 1990-08-01 | Terminator | |
| 4 | | The Terminator: The Enemy Within | Graphic Novel | Ian Edginton | 1991-11-01 | Terminator | |
| 5 | | The Terminator: Hunters and Killers | Graphic Novel | Toren Smith | 1992-03-01 | Terminator | |
| 6 | | The Terminator: Endgame | Graphic Novel | James Robinson | 1992-09-01 | Terminator | |
| 7 | | The Terminator: Death Valley | Graphic Novel | Alan Grant | 1998-08-01 | Terminator | |
| 8 | | The Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy | Graphic Novel | Dan Jolley | 2014-02-01 | Terminator | |
| 9 | | The Terminator: Sector War | Graphic Novel | Brian Wood | 2018-08-01 | Terminator | |
| 10 | | Terminator 2: Judgment Day | Film | James Cameron | 1991-07-01 | Terminator | |
| 11 | | Terminator 2: Cybernetic Dawn | Graphic Novel | Dan Abnett | 1995-11-01 | Terminator | |
| 12 | | Terminator 2: Nuclear Twilight | Graphic Novel | Mark Paniccia | 1995-11-01 | Terminator | |
| 13 | | T2: Infiltrator | Novel | S. M. Stirling | Terminator | ||
| 14 | | T2: Rising Storm | Novel | S. M. Stirling | Terminator | ||
| 15 | | T2: The Future War | Novel | S. M. Stirling | Terminator | ||
| 16 | | Terminator: Secondary Objectives | Graphic Novel | James Robinson | 1991-07-01 | Terminator | |
| 17 | | The Terminator: The Dark Years | Graphic Novel | Steven Grant | 1999-08-01 | Terminator | |
| 18 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.01: Pilot | TV Episode | David Nutter | 2008-01-13 | Terminator | |
| 19 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.02: Gnothi Seauton | TV Episode | David Nutter | 2008-01-14 | Terminator | |
| 20 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.03: The Turk | TV Episode | Paul Edwards | 2008-01-21 | Terminator | |
| 21 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.04: Heavy Metal | TV Episode | Sergio Mimica Gezzan | 2008-02-04 | Terminator | |
| 22 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.05: Queen's Gambit | TV Episode | Matt Earl Beesley | 2008-02-11 | Terminator | |
| 23 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.06: Dungeons & Dragons | TV Episode | Jeffrey Hunt | 2008-02-18 | Terminator | |
| 24 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.07: The Demon Hand | TV Episode | Charles Beeson | 2008-02-25 | Terminator | |
| 25 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.08: Vick's Chip | TV Episode | J. Miller Tobin | 2008-03-03 | Terminator | |
| 26 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1.09: What He Beheld | TV Episode | Mike Rohl | 2008-03-03 | Terminator | |
| 27 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.01: Samson and Delilah | TV Episode | David Nutter | 2008-09-08 | Terminator | |
| 28 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.02: Automatic for the People | TV Episode | Jeffrey Hunt | 2008-09-15 | Terminator | |
| 29 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.03: The Mousetrap | TV Episode | Bill Eagles | 2008-09-22 | Terminator | |
| 30 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.04: Allison from Palmdale | TV Episode | Charles Beeson | 2008-09-29 | Terminator | |
| 31 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.05: Goodbye to All That | TV Episode | Bryan Spicer | 2008-10-06 | Terminator | |
| 32 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.06: The Tower Is Tall but the Fall Is Short | TV Episode | Tawnia McKiernan | 2008-10-20 | Terminator | |
| 33 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.07: Brothers of Nablus | TV Episode | Milan Cheylov | 2008-11-03 | Terminator | |
| 34 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.08: Mr. Ferguson Is Ill Today | TV Episode | Michael Nankin | 2008-11-10 | Terminator | |
| 35 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.09: Complications | TV Episode | Steven DePaul | 2008-11-17 | Terminator | |
| 36 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.10: Strange Things Happen at the One Two Point | TV Episode | Scott Peters | 2008-11-24 | Terminator | |
| 37 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.11: Self Made Man | TV Episode | Holly Dale | 2008-12-01 | Terminator | |
| 38 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.12: Alpine Fields | TV Episode | Charles Beeson, Bryan Spicer | 2008-12-08 | Terminator | |
| 39 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.13: Earthlings Welcome Here | TV Episode | Félix Enríquez Alcalá | 2008-12-15 | Terminator | |
| 40 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.14: The Good Wound | TV Episode | Jeff Woolnough | 2009-02-13 | Terminator | |
| 41 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.15: Desert Cantos | TV Episode | J. Miller Tobin | 2009-02-20 | Terminator | |
| 42 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.16: Some Must Watch, While Some Must Sleep | TV Episode | Scott Lautanen | 2009-02-27 | Terminator | |
| 43 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.17: Ourselves Alone | TV Episode | Jeff Woolnough | 2009-03-06 | Terminator | |
| 44 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.18: Today Is the Day, Part 1 | TV Episode | Guy Norman Bee | 2009-03-13 | Terminator | |
| 45 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.19: Today Is the Day, Part 2 | TV Episode | Guy Norman Bee | 2009-03-20 | Terminator | |
| 46 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.20: To the Lighthouse | TV Episode | Guy Ferland | 2009-03-27 | Terminator | |
| 47 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.21: Adam Raised a Cain | TV Episode | Charles Beeson | 2009-04-03 | Terminator | |
| 48 | | The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2.22: Born to Run | TV Episode | Jeffrey Hunt | 2009-04-10 | Terminator | |
| 49 | | Terminator: Infinity | Graphic Novel | Simon Furman | 2007-07-01 | Terminator | |
| 50 | | Terminator: Revolution | Graphic Novel | Simon Furman | 2009-01-01 | Terminator | |
| 51 | | Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines | Film | Jonathan Mostow | 2003-07-02 | Terminator | |
| 52 | | Terminator Dreams | Novel | Aaron Allston | 2003-12-19 | Terminator | |
| 53 | | Terminator Hunt | Novel | Aaron Allston | 2004-11-25 | Terminator | |
| 54 | | Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series | Web | Tor Helmstein, Ian Kirby | 2009-05-18 | Terminator | |
| 55 | | Terminator Salvation: Cold War | Novel | Greg Cox | 2009-10-20 | Terminator | |
| 56 | | Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes | Novel | Timothy Zahn | 2009-03-17 | Terminator | |
| 57 | | Terminator Salvation: Movie Prequel | Graphic Novel | Dara Naraghi | 2009-02-01 | Terminator | |
| 58 | | Terminator Salvation | Film | McG | 2009-05-21 | Terminator | |
| 59 | | Terminator Salvation: Trial by Fire | Novel | Timothy Zahn | 2010-08-17 | Terminator | |
| 60 | | Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle | Graphic Novel | J. Michael Straczynski | 2013-12-01 | Terminator | |
| 61 | | Terminator: Resistance | Game | 2019-11-15 | Terminator | ||
| 62 | Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles | Web | Charles Paek | 2015-06-22 | Terminator | ||
| 63 | | Terminator Genisys | Film | Alan Taylor | 2015-07-01 | Terminator | |
| 64 | | Terminator: Dark Fate | Film | Tim Miller | 2019-11-01 | Terminator | This film takes place in continuity with Terminator 1 and 2, and ignores all other films and content. |