The Terminator (1984) — Screenplay
A cyborg assassin from a war-torn future hunts Sarah Connor to prevent her son's rebellion, while a soldier from the resistance races to save her and alter humanity's fate.
- Written by
- James Cameron
- Genre
- Science Fiction, Action
- Length
- 255 pages
James Cameron's script is a masterclass in tension-building and efficient world-building, using a tight, propulsive structure that shifts between relentless pursuit and quiet character moments. The dialogue is lean and purposeful, making every line count, while the use of a limited POV keeps the audience grounded in Sarah's escalating terror and eventual growth.
Read the full The Terminator (1984) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study James Cameron’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.