Awesome movie! A Sci-Fi classic! This film is pretty violent, has quite a bit of language, and a brief sex scene. But most teens should be able to handle it.
Tools for this page
The Terminator
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Terrific sci-fi action, but too violent for some.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–15
What to watch out for
-
Role models :
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Terminator
Parents need to know that kids will want to see this film due to its reputation as a "classic" action film and the fact that it stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. But this isn't the sweet, exasperated Arnold of Kindergarten Cop or the comedic action hero of True Lies -- or even the huggable father stand-in of Terminator 2 and 3. This is a relentless, shark-eyed killer Arnold. His systematic destruction of the inhabitants of Los Angeles is unsettling even for adults. Expect virtually nonstop tension and violence, as well as swearing (including "f--k"), some partial nudity, drinking, and smoking.
Read our full review by Ken Feil
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the conventions of action movies and director James Cameron's statements regarding corporate culture, unchecked technological development, and nuclear war.
- What do you think of Sarah Connor's transformation from sweet, defenseless damsel-in-distress to strong and independent action hero?
Our Members Say
See all 39 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
The Terminator
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Perfect for mature tweens
It is a blood soaked action, thriller. It does have a very graphic sex scene showing boobs,and sexual noises.It is also a bit confusing, so your child may have to be mature enough.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Tooooo bad for kids under 17+. Big nudity problems toooo much killing! Look out for language.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Great sci-fi movie, James Cameron has done it again. Not sure about the sex scene though, that could have been cut down. Quite a bit for swearing goes on, but what can you expect in a movie like this?
This review...
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind - I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I agree with Common Sense.
Everybody loves robots, from Robby, to R2-D2, to this. This is an extremely violent classic, but it's okay for teens and up. It's not just the violence that makes this a no-go for little kids - it's the sex. The movie has 2 sex scenes in it, but overall, it's a great movie, and I really enjoyed it.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
give teens a chance to watch this kind of movie
its not that bad in fact its my favorite movie
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
For tweens
I thought this movie was as good as die hard. There was nudity though. There was topless female nudity for about 10 seconds,you see Arnold Shwarzenegger's butt too. They said the f-word 12 times. It was very violent. There was a bunch of explosions,tanks,bombs,guns,beatings,and you see skulls on the ground in the future. Overall I would say for 12+
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I WILL BE BACK, TO DO MORE REVIEWS ABOUT MOVIES!!!
A Few arnold buttcheeks, and one extremely super QUICK sex scene! but other than that this film is a classic! WARNING! does have graphic violence and graphic language, but who cares!
- I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
ON for 8+
It's a great movie, a little violent.
- I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
ON for 8+
It's a great movie, a little violent.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
great action flick
Great actionn movie but the language was pretty strong. Like its pretty much F BOMBS. And 1 sex scene that show a quick flash of breasts but we all have to see them some times in our lives. But this hopefully dosnt stop ur teens from seeing this truely good classic.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Great movie, beats all sci fi's!
Hmm, let me see, the sequel is amzing, the story line is one of the best iv ever known, hardlly any sexuall scenes, amazing acting and in the last bit of the 3 one "YOU ARE TERMINATED is the best line i have EVER herd! not that rude....12+
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Sublime!
Just the way I like it- one long, excellent chase scene.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Il be Back!
best movie i have seen other than desperado
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Great movie but very violent.
This is definitely on of the vest movies in the terminator series . I am a big fan of all of these movies . But parents should know that there is there is a lot of violence and bad language . See it before you see Salvation this one is much better.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
it shows two people having sex with the motions of it and naked breasts. without that its awesome!!! if you dont mind some strong language and violence
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
the movie was good but the graphics are crap
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
the best movie series ever!!!!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
I saw it edited too
This is a good movie! but note, i saw an edited t.v version, it still had issues though... 1.LOTS of violince, many people are shot with bloody wonds, and the terminator himself (with or without his skin on) may scare the younger audiances, The terminator is shot, lit on fire and blown up (but none of it works). 2. mild languge of the D--n variety 3. the sex scene is skiped altogeter, and people are naked when they arive from the future. So this is a clasic actin movie that teens can watch if it's edited on t.v!
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 67% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 33% | of parents say there are good role models |
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
