Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Ten years after the first encounter with Skynet, Sarah Connor lives with the hard edge of someone convinced disaster is coming, and her son John is being raised as the future resistance leader. When a reprogrammed T-800 is sent back to protect the young John, he and Sarah must cope with the arrival of a far more advanced assassin, the shape-shifting T-1000. The three form an uneasy partnership as they race to prevent the chain of events that would create Skynet and bring nuclear devastation. Along the way the film balances relentless action with quieter human beats, showing how training, fear, and unexpected bonds change what any of them thought was inevitable. Sarah struggles with past trauma and strict preparation, while the T-800 slowly develops a bond with John.

Released in 1991, the film was directed by James Cameron and credited to creators William Wisher and Gale Anne Hurd, featuring pioneering practical and digital effects and a cast led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, and Robert Patrick.

The movie earned major recognition at the Academy Awards, winning four Oscars for its technical achievements, including Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, Best Sound, and Best Sound Editing, and it also received nominations across several other technical categories.

Many moments and lines from the film entered everyday culture, from Arnold Schwarzenegger's memorable quip to the terrifying visual of the T-1000's liquid-metal transformations. Its combination of impressive effects, stunt work, and a tougher, more thoughtful hero image influenced action films and special effects expectations through the 1990s and beyond.

Critics and audiences have long praised the movie, reflected in its strong user rating of 8.137/10 from 13,815 votes. Reviewers highlighted the performances, Cameron's direction, and the film's effects, while themes about free will, responsibility, and what makes someone human give the spectacle an emotional center.