Best Blurays
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Terminator

Terminator

5 films

The Terminator franchise created by James Cameron.

The Terminator (1984)

Director: James Cameron

Best English-Friendly:

2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 1997 Image DVD/2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Sources: vimeo.com (opens in a new tab) · facebook.com (opens in a new tab)

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 1997 Image DVD/2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Audio Notes:

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Director: James Cameron

Best English-Friendly & Video:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray 

Sources: fanrestore.com (opens in a new tab) · originaltrilogy.com (opens in a new tab)

Video Notes:

  • 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (but it's missing the extra scenes in the Ultimate Edition)

  • 2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray and subsequent 4K Blu-rays are notorius for being heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is also available.

  • For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre-2017 transfer, but has DNR.

Best Audio:

  • Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix:  Japan Pioneer DVD in DTS/ac3 5.1

  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

Audio Notes:

Differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

2017 Blu-ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Director: Jonathan Mostow

Best English-Friendly & Video:

Sony International Blu-ray

Video Notes:

Sony International Blu-ray > WB US Blu-ray (better encoding on the Sony disc, missing a commentary from the WB)

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

Warner Bros Blu-ray has an exclusive commentary

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Director: McG

Best English-Friendly & Video:

Theatrical: Sony 4K Blu-ray

Director's Cut: Sony Blu-ray

Video Notes:

Director's Cut: Sony Blu-ray > Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Audio Notes:

Warner Bros Blu-ray audio is 24 bit compared to Sony's 16 bit

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Director: Tim Miller

Best English-Friendly & Video:

US Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Video Notes:

US Paramount 4K Blu-ray > Fox 4K Blu-ray

Showing 5 of 5 films