James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released in 1991.
The science-fiction action sequel returned Arnold Schwarzenegger as a Terminator, but changed his role from the first film’s villain to John Connor’s protector. Edward Furlong played the young John, while Linda Hamilton reprised Sarah Connor and received a markedly more physical, combat-focused role.
Terminator 2 was released in the United States on July 3, 1991. Its visual effects were especially influential because the liquid-metal T-1000, played by Robert Patrick, made extensive use of computer-generated imagery alongside practical effects.
The film is often distinguished from The Terminator by its subtitle, Judgment Day, and by its alternate view of fate. It became a major commercial and critical success and won four Academy Awards, including Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects. Its 1991 release places it between Cameron’s The Abyss and True Lies in his feature-film directing career.