There have been many Terminator models of varying strength and size featured in James Cameron’s Terminator franchise since its inception in 1984, with Arnold Schwarzenegger starring as the original cybernetic killer. That’s not to say that all Terminators are created equal, however—there’s definitely a pecking order among these merciless weapons of Skynet, judged both by design and capability.
Cyberdyne Systems has seen its fair share of cybernetic organisms since the T-800, developing machines and technologies of such formidability that it’s a marvel that humanity was able to destroy Skynet’s defense grid under John Connor. Nevertheless, among the models, there remains a clear order in efficiency, as some prove far more adept at their titular purpose—terminating.
T-1
Introduced in 2003’s Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, the T-1 Battlefield Robot is more akin to ED-209 from the RoboCop franchise than a stealthy killing force. Standing tall above the ground with tank treads for legs, these machines are designed for maximum extermination, armed with .50 caliber miniguns designed to mow down swarms of advancing troops—or fleeing humans.
Despite this impressive frame, the T-1 represents the rudimentary blueprint of Skynet’s ground assault forces, as its features are—for all intents and purposes—designed for intimidation purposes over practical necessity. No, for Skynet to win the war against humanity, they would need agents far more subtle and advanced than this hulking metal turret, as imposing as it may be.
T-600
In contrast to the T-1, the T-600s represent Skynet’s first foray into infiltrating human forces with lifelike cybernetic organisms. Equipped with rubber skin and a bulky humanoid frame, these Terminators might fool the eye from a distance, but upon closer inspection, their rough, primitive features are far too simplistic to trick any seasoned Resistance fighter into lowering their guard.
Despite its crude design—which became easily recognizable to soldiers in the field, who labeled them “Rubbers”—the T-600 was proof to Skynet that human forces could be infiltrated with a model whose external appearance was sophisticated enough to fool even the most cautious observers. Therefore, the T-600s were quickly pushed aside in favor of producing more life-like terminating forces.
T-900
One Terminator that’s often overlooked in favor of more heavy-hitters is the T-900, an infiltration unit that’s been relegated mainly to cameo appearances in the films but has also been featured in games, novels, and other Terminator media. Intended as a quicker version of the T-850, this model prioritizes efficiency yet lacks the imposing presence of its bulkier cybernetic peers.
The T-900 is also able to consume food.
One series that highlights the T-900 is Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, a TV drama following Sarah Connor in the aftermath of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. In the show, the T-900 is shown to have hyperrealistic emotions and can even cry. Furthermore, some T-900 models aren’t even aware they’re not human, showcasing a further avenue for Skynet to infiltrate humanity.
Rev-9
In 2019, Terminator: Dark Fate introduced the Rev-9, an advanced Terminator model with the ability to split into two cybernetic organisms at once, literally working to divide and conquer. Like the T-1000, the Rev-9 is also made of mimetic polyalloy, allowing it to shapeshift into the likeness of its choice for the purpose of deception and luring in its prey.
Despite the Rev-9’s near-indestructible form, it nevertheless lacks the cold charisma of the T-1000, whose cunning disguise as a police officer only added to his menace as a force not to be trusted. However, like the T-900, the Rev-9 is notable for its seamless ability to mimic human emotion, even joking around with several Border Patrol officers before murdering them.
T-X
Starring as the antagonist of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, the T-X was the first female cybernetic organism to appear in the franchise, having been sent back in time by Skynet to kill a reclusive John Connor. Apart from the ability to augment its physical appearance, the T-X also wields a formidable plasma cannon built into its right wrist.
What’s frustrating about the T-X’s portrayal is both its lack of originality and the missed opportunity regarding its gender. For starters, the reuse of the mimetic polyalloy angle failed to impress audiences after the T-1000. Moreover, the T-X’s gender offered unique possibilities for deception that simply weren’t pursued, with the plot point coming off as more so as a gimmick.
T-850
Another Terminator model featured in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is the T-850, an advanced version of the original T-800 that features improved armor and stronger hydrogen fuel cells in comparison to its predecessor. Following this trend, the T-850 also holds a greater understanding of human emotions and behavior, making it a more efficient infiltrator and protector of humans.
Despite its antagonist, the T-850 proves to be a worthy successor to the T-800, building upon its greatest strengths in Terminator 2: Judgment Day as the solemn defender of John Connor, a reality made all the more ironic by the fact that this specific model killed John Connor in the future before being reprogrammed to protect him in the past.
T-1000
There are few sequels more powerful or compelling than Terminator 2: Judgment Day, with Robert Patrick’s villainous performance as the T-1000 playing a large part in this success. Instead of rivaling Schwarzenegger’s hulking mass, the T-1000 is a far leaner and more menacing antagonist, composed of a liquid metal mimetic polyalloy that lets it shapeshift and form weapons at ease.
Another great aspect about the T-1000 is the misdirection Terminator 2: Judgment Day employs when introducing both it and the T-800 (a twist that was infamously spoiled by the trailer). In contrast to the T-800, who—in textbook Terminator fashion—acquires clothing and transportation with emotionless brutality, the T-1000 takes a subtler approach, posing as a friendly, uniformed police officer.
In order to appear more robotic, Robert Patrick learned how to run without breathing through his mouth for Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
As iconic as the T-1000’s pursuit of John Connor is, however, its death is just as—if not more—legendary. After being frozen by liquid nitrogen and blown up, it reforms into a puddle, damaged but even more driven. However, the T-800 sends the T-1000 to its demise in a vat of molten steel, wailing uncontrollably as its polyalloy frame melts away.
T-800
Finally, as sinister as the T-1000 might be, there’s no topping the endlessly cool performance of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the formidable T-800. Debuting over 40 years ago, Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of the relentless mechanical beast is more akin to a slasher movie than a science fiction film, and by no accident—the leather-clad cyborg is as imposing as a sci-fi Jason Voorhees.
Flashing forward to 1991, director James Cameron found a way to do the unthinkable with the antagonist of his 1984 sci-fi hit, making him a good guy. Casting Schwarzenegger as a reprogrammed T-800, Cameron showed a different side to the character in which his emotionless cyborg learned the meaning behind emotions while taking on the role of a familial protector.
This complete 180-degree shift makes the T-800 the most compelling Terminator model by far, proving that Cameron’s titular cyborg could act as both hero and villain without losing the support of fans. Indeed, nowhere else in cinema has a character shift occurred so jarringly and yet with such effortless and purposeful grace.
