Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Final Terminator Movie Surges on Streaming After Flopping in Theaters

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In the year 1984, Arnold Schwarzenegger first appeared in the Terminator series, taking on the role of the main robotic character in the original film. He subsequently starred in numerous follow-ups, and his tenure peaked with his performance in the 2019 movie.

After its initial release, “Terminator: Dark Fate” underperformed at the box office and faced significant criticism. However, over a period of six years, it has found a new fanbase on streaming platforms, and as of now, it ranks No. 8 among Paramount+’s Top 10 films, nestled between two “Mission: Impossible” movies. Meanwhile, Jack Quaid’s action comedy “Novocaine” tops the list, with several other “Mission: Impossible” titles also appearing due to the surge in popularity from the latest installment currently playing in theaters.

In “Dark Fate,” Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, who played Sarah Connor in the second film, reunited for the first time on screen. Before its premiere, it was announced that Edward Furlong would return as John Connor, a development eagerly anticipated by fans of “T2.” However, the manner in which Furlong’s character was portrayed in the movie sparked much debate, potentially deterring many potential viewers who had heard about the issue on social media and lost interest in watching “Dark Fate.”

Terminator: Dark Fate Came Up Short in Theaters

Among various issues some viewers found with “Dark Fate”, it seems to be one factor that contributed to fewer people watching the film than the producers anticipated. Despite other possible motivations for audiences to stay away from the movie, this led to disappointing ticket sales. The global box office earnings amounted to $261 million, but considering its substantial production cost, the film is said to have incurred a loss of approximately $122 million. Now, it’s known as one of the biggest financial flops at the box office, although there are loyal fans who argue that it’s an overlooked sequel.

Later on, Schwarzenegger openly expressed his viewpoint that the sequel was “a mistake.” Yet, he also shared some responsibility for Dark Fate, implying he didn’t recognize that it was the right moment for the franchise to evolve beyond him. In 2023, he declared that he had ended his involvement with the Terminator series, as he felt that he had received enough indications that it was no longer suitable for him to continue acting in those films.

He informed The Hollywood Reporter, “The series is still in development.” He clarified that he understood the desire for a fresh concept regarding “The Terminator,” and emphasized that an outstanding idea needs to be found.

Terminator: Dark Fate is streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-06-04 21:06