Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
A hunted drifter, a protective cyborg, and a determined assassin machine race to prevent an artificial-intelligence apocalypse already gathering inside the world’s computer systems.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- propulsive
- tense
- fatalistic
- blockbuster night
- action movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an entertaining but derivative continuation with effective action and performances, though less gritty and emotionally resonant than its predecessors.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Connor and Kate Brewster struggle against a machine uprising and nuclear war whose future consequences are already set in motion.
Skynet spreads through civilian and military computer networks while the T-X hunts human targets.
The CSM-101 protecting John is not the same Terminator previously known to him, creating tension between memory and identity.
The plot escalates from a computer virus infecting military systems to nuclear devastation and machine takeover.
Films like Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and why
The Terminator
shares time travel, artificial intelligence, cyborg assassins, and high-concept science fiction action
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
shares apocalyptic machine warfare, chase momentum, and spectacular science fiction action
The Matrix
shares cyberpunk technology, dystopian futures, and humans resisting machine control
WarGames
shares an unstoppable artificial intelligence threat, military escalation, and large-scale destruction
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonathan Mostow
- Release Date
- 2003-07-02
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (7509)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Nick Stahl
- Claire Danes
- Kristanna Loken
- Earl Boen
- David Andrews
- Carolyn Hennesy
- Jay Acovone
- Mark Famiglietti
- Moira Sinise
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, YouTube TV, AMC
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines about?
- A hunted drifter, a protective cyborg, and a determined assassin machine race to prevent an artificial-intelligence apocalypse already gathering inside the world’s computer systems.
- What is Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines as brutal.
- What did critics think of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines?
- Critics generally found the film an entertaining but derivative continuation with effective action and performances, though less gritty and emotionally resonant than its predecessors.
- Which films are like Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines?
- Films with a similar feel include The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Matrix, and WarGames.
- How long is Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines?
- Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines?
- In United States, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines streams on Philo, YouTube TV, AMC.
