The Terminator was a low-budget science fiction flick that ended up becoming a smash hit at the box office. The film grossed thirty-eight million and paved the way for two successful sequels. The movie also made the relatively unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger into a major star, with his infamous line, "I'll be back," rising to ubiquity among viewers of all ages.

At the time of its release, director James Cameron's The Terminator resonated with audience members' surfacing fears about technology and robotics, especially in the United States. As machines began to take over more of the jobs traditionally completed by humans, some people were growing concerned that humans might eventually become obsolete. As a result, Cameron's timely film captured the imaginations of people around the world.

Cameron's wife, Gale Ann Hurd, bought the script of The Terminator for one dollar. However, Cameron was eventually sued by Harlan Ellison, a...