The Terminator Franchise is a popular science fiction series that began with the 1984 film The Terminator, directed by James Cameron. The story revolves around a dystopian future where machines, led by an artificial intelligence called Skynet, wage war against humanity. The franchise explores themes of time travel, technology, and the consequences of artificial intelligence. Over the years, the franchise has expanded to include several sequels, such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day, as well as television series like Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Key characters include Sarah Connor and her son John Connor, who play crucial roles in the fight against Skynet and its robotic assassins known as Terminators.