The Ultimate Arnold Schwarzenegger Movie List

Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into the action-packed world of Arnold Schwarzenegger? If you're a fan of iconic action flicks, sci-fi thrillers, and hilarious comedies, then you've come to the right place. This is the ultimate list of Arnold Schwarzenegger movies that you absolutely need to watch. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let's get started!

Early Career and Breakthrough Roles

Before he became a household name, Arnold was making waves in the bodybuilding world. But his transition to acting wasn't exactly smooth. His early roles often highlighted his impressive physique, but sometimes lacked in, shall we say, stellar acting. However, these early films laid the foundation for his future success.

One of his earliest roles was in Hercules in New York (1970). Now, this movie isn't exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but it's a fun watch to see Arnold's debut. He was even credited as Arnold Strong! The film is campy and over-the-top, but it shows Arnold's potential and undeniable screen presence. Although his acting skills weren't quite polished yet, his sheer charisma shone through.

Then came Stay Hungry (1976), a film that earned him a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year. In this movie, Arnold plays a bodybuilder named Joe Santo. This role allowed him to showcase a bit more depth and range than his previous roles. It's a significant step in his acting career, proving he could handle more than just action-oriented parts. The film itself explores themes of wealth, identity, and the American Dream, making it a more substantial film overall.

Of course, we can't forget Pumping Iron (1977), a documentary that catapulted Arnold into mainstream consciousness. This film follows Arnold and other bodybuilders as they prepare for the Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe competitions. Pumping Iron is fascinating because it offers a glimpse into the dedication, discipline, and sheer hard work required to achieve such physical perfection. It's also incredibly entertaining, thanks to Arnold's larger-than-life personality and competitive spirit. This movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in bodybuilding or simply looking for motivation to hit the gym.

The Action Hero Era

Now, this is where things really take off! The 1980s and early 1990s were Arnold's golden age as an action hero. He starred in a string of blockbuster hits that cemented his status as one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Get ready for explosions, one-liners, and plenty of muscles!

First up is Conan the Barbarian (1982). This film was a major turning point for Arnold. It showcased his ability to carry a big-budget action film and established him as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. As Conan, Arnold embodies raw power and determination. The film's epic scope, combined with its brutal action sequences, made it a massive success. It also spawned a sequel, Conan the Destroyer (1984), which, while not as critically acclaimed, still delivered plenty of sword-swinging action.

Next, we have The Terminator (1984). This is arguably Arnold's most iconic role. As the relentless, emotionless T-800, he delivers a performance that is both terrifying and unforgettable. The film itself is a masterpiece of science fiction, blending action, suspense, and a healthy dose of paranoia about artificial intelligence. The Terminator launched Arnold into superstardom and solidified his place in cinematic history.

Then comes Commando (1985). If you're looking for pure, unadulterated action, Commando is your movie. Arnold plays John Matrix, a retired special forces operative who must rescue his daughter from a group of mercenaries. The film is filled with over-the-top action sequences, ridiculous one-liners, and enough explosions to make Michael Bay jealous. It's a guilty pleasure classic that never fails to entertain.

Of course, we can't forget Predator (1987). This film is a perfect blend of action and science fiction. Arnold plays Dutch, the leader of an elite military team who are hunted by a deadly alien in the jungles of Central America. Predator is tense, suspenseful, and features some truly iconic creature design. It's a must-watch for any fan of the genre.

And then there's The Running Man (1987), a dystopian action film based on a novel by Stephen King. Arnold plays Ben Richards, a wrongly convicted man who must fight for his survival on a deadly game show. The film is a bit cheesy, but it's also a lot of fun, with plenty of memorable villains and over-the-top action sequences. It's a great example of the kind of over-the-top action films that Arnold excelled at during this period.

Red Heat (1988) is another classic from this era. In this film, Arnold plays Ivan Danko, a stoic Soviet police officer who teams up with a wisecracking Chicago detective (played by James Belushi) to track down a dangerous drug dealer. Red Heat is a fun buddy cop movie with plenty of action and humor.

Sci-Fi and Action Blockbusters

As the 1990s rolled around, Arnold continued to dominate the box office with a string of big-budget sci-fi and action blockbusters. These films showcased his versatility as an actor and his ability to handle more complex roles.

Total Recall (1990) is a mind-bending science fiction film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Arnold plays Douglas Quaid, a construction worker who discovers that his memories have been altered and that he may be a secret agent. The film is visually stunning, with groundbreaking special effects and a complex, thought-provoking plot. Total Recall is a must-watch for any fan of science fiction.

Then comes Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). This film is widely regarded as one of the greatest action movies of all time. Arnold returns as the Terminator, but this time he's a good guy, protecting John Connor from an even more advanced Terminator. T2 is a visual masterpiece, with groundbreaking special effects that still hold up today. It's also a surprisingly emotional film, exploring themes of humanity, redemption, and the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.

Last Action Hero (1993) is a meta-action comedy that pokes fun at the clichés of the genre. Arnold plays Jack Slater, a fictional action hero who comes to life and teams up with a young movie fan to fight crime in the real world. The film is a bit of a mixed bag, but it's also a lot of fun, with plenty of self-aware humor and cameos from other action stars.

True Lies (1994) is an action-comedy directed by James Cameron. Arnold plays Harry Tasker, a secret agent who leads a double life as a seemingly ordinary family man. The film is filled with over-the-top action sequences, hilarious one-liners, and a healthy dose of spy movie tropes. True Lies is a crowd-pleasing action-comedy that showcases Arnold's comedic timing.

Comedy and Later Roles

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Arnold began to explore more comedic roles, showing off his lighter side. While he never abandoned action movies completely, he proved that he could be just as funny as he was tough.

Twins (1988) showed his comedic potential, but Junior (1994) and Jingle All the Way (1996) fully explored his comedic chops. Junior is a hilarious comedy about a scientist who becomes pregnant as part of an experiment. It's absurd, but it's also surprisingly heartwarming, thanks to Arnold's surprisingly adept comedic performance. Jingle All the Way is a Christmas comedy about a father who goes to great lengths to get his son the hottest toy of the season. It's a bit cheesy, but it's also a fun and festive family movie.

After a stint as the Governor of California, Arnold returned to acting with roles in films like The Expendables series (2010-2014), The Last Stand (2013), and Sabotage (2014). These films showed that he could still kick butt, even as he got older. While these films may not be as iconic as his earlier work, they're still a lot of fun for fans of action movies.

More recently, he reprised his role as the Terminator in Terminator Genisys (2015) and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019). While these films were met with mixed reviews, they gave fans a chance to see Arnold back in one of his most iconic roles. He's also taken on more dramatic roles in films like Aftermath (2017), showcasing his range as an actor.

Conclusion

So there you have it, guys! The ultimate Arnold Schwarzenegger movie list. From his early roles to his action-packed prime to his later comedic turns, Arnold has had an incredible career. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for a fun action movie to watch, there's something on this list for everyone. So, go ahead and start watching, and get ready to say, "I'll be back!"