The sixth installment in a long-lasting, fan favorite franchise, Terminator: Dark Fate was met with decent reviews, but with low numbers all around at the box office in its opening weekend. Though it took the number one spot domestically, the weekend intake was way below expectations with only a $29 million haul. Even in China, where movies of this caliber tend to make most of their earnings, it only earned $28 million.
With returning cast members Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron back as producer, the film was expected to provide much draw for fans of the original two installments as it directly continues the plot. Up and coming actresses Mackenzie Davis and Natalia Reyes made up the women-dominated main lineup alongside Hamilton, both as new characters to the franchise.
Reviews have been mixed, tilting slightly to the more positive side. Rotten Tomatoes scores are at 69% critic and 85% user approval, which is quite a step up from 2015’s Terminator: Genisys. Though with a production budget of $185 million, it is clearly a loss for Paramount and Skydance, who may now be deterred from continuing the franchise.
Meanwhile, Harriet, starring Cynthia Ervo, performed above expectations with a $12 million haul. The film follows Harriet Tubman’s brave endeavors during the slavery era as she led many to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
For more reading here are our reviews of Harriet and Terminator: Dark Fate.