Highlights
- Schwarzenegger’s star power shone in sci-fi classics like
The
Terminator
franchise, cementing his status as a cinema legend. - Not every sci-fi role was a hit, as seen in
Batman and Robin
, but Schwarzenegger’s charismatic performance still stood out. -
The 6th Day
and
Total Recall
showcase Schwarzenegger’s seasoned star power, despite mixed reviews, fans still enjoy his on-screen presence.
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic actors in movie history, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star power dominated the box office during the 80s and made him a household name worldwide. With an unshakable work ethic and a strong belief in himself, Schwarzenegger forged a career in acting by finding roles that fit him perfectly.
Throughout his career, Schwarzenegger has been a part of many blockbuster franchises, but it is in the sci-fi genre that he truly made his mark. Many of the sci-fi films he has been a part of have gone on to become classics in the genre. One, in particular, became his most iconic role, cementing his image into the history of cinema.
10 Batman And Robin
IMDB Rating: 3.8
- Directed: Joel Schumacher
- Released: 1997
- Running Time: 2h 5m
Not every sci-fi outing Schwarzenegger tried was a success. Starring George Clooney in the title role, Batman and Robin pushed the comic-book style to excessive heights, creating a silly and over-the-top action movie that often missed the mark. Taking more influence from the original 1960s TV show, the film has none of the dark undertones that make the franchise and character a fan favorite.
In the movie, Schwarzenegger plays Mr. Freeze, one of the central villains alongside Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy. Schwarzenegger plays the role to excess, seemingly enjoying every frame. With his trademark one-liners and villainous charisma, fans of the star will enjoy his performance, but it is not enough to save the rest of the film.
9 The 6th Day
IMDB Rating: 5.9
- Directed: Roger Spottiswoode
- Released: 2000
- Running Time: 2h 3m
The 6th Day is a sci-fi action movie revolving around the concept of human cloning and the disturbing possibilities this could lead to. Schwarzenegger plays Adam, a charter pilot, who is accidentally (and illegally) cloned by a large corporation. This places him in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy that could cost him his life and family.
While the film was a box office failure, The 6th Day is a solid sci-fi action film that fans of Schwarzenegger will enjoy regardless. The movie deals with big concepts that were a hot topic at the time, with Dolly the Sheep becoming one of the first cloned mammals in the world only a few years earlier. The 6th Day may not be a groundbreaking release, but Schwarzenegger carries the movie with his seasoned star power and fun one-liners.
8 Terminator: Dark Fate
IMDB Rating: 6.2
- Directed: Tim Miller
- Released: 2019
- Running Time: 2h 8m
The franchise that brought Schwarzenegger to worldwide fame, Dark Fate is the sixth entry in the series, and is set 25 years after Terminator 2. In the movie, Schwarzenegger once again plays the titular unstoppable killing machine, but this time, the machine has grown, adapted, and become self-aware.
The Terminator movies have become a long-running franchise, with Schwarzenegger central to its story and success. This installment may not go down in movie history as the strongest entry, but Dark Fate is a worthy addition to the series, with Schwarzenegger owning the role that made him a star.
7 Terminator Genisys
IMDB Rating: 6.3
- Directed: Alan Taylor
- Released: 2015
- Running Time: 2h 6m
This reboot of the series takes its premise from the original movie, with Kyle Reece going back in time to save Sarah Connor, but unforeseen events cause the timelines to split. In this new timeline, Schwarzenegger’s Terminator is reprogrammed to protect Sarah Conner from a young age.
Genisys is a solid sci-fi action film with great CGI effects that unfortunately convolutes the series as a whole. Schwarzenegger’s turn as the killing machine is played as a side character in the movie, with the Terminator once again taking on the role of a protector, but this time way past its sell-by date. Schwarzenegger, as ever, dominates any scene he is in, with a self-aware performance that pays homage to the past.
6 Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines
IMDB Rating: 6.3
- Directed: Jonathan Mostow
- Released: 2003
- Running Time: 1h 49m
Rise of the Machines had some big shoes to fill. With the huge success of the first two installments, recreating the magic was never going to be an easy task. Schwarzenegger is back, once again, as a reprogrammed machine, tasked with protecting John Connor from the relentless killing machines from the future.
Terminator 3 is a fun sci-fi action film that never fails to entertain. It renewed interest in the series, allowing subsequent sequels to be made. While it never reaches the heights of T2, Schwarzenegger owns every scene he appears in. It’s not hard to see why the character is so beloved by movie-goers.
5 The Running Man
IMDB Rating: 6.6
- Directed: Paul Michael Glaser
- Released: 1987
- Running Time: 1h 41m
Set in a dystopian future, this cult classic sci-fi action movie is a hidden gem in Schwarzenegger’s long career. The film centers around a falsely convicted man, who participates in the televised game show, The Running Man. Here, convicts go up against other killers in a series of deadly games for a chance to win their freedom.
The Running Man is a solid action film, with plenty of cheesy one-liners that have become the trademark of Schwarzenegger movies. The film sometimes falls into camp territory with some outrageous costume choices, but it is always a fun ride regardless. Schwarzenegger is in his prime, honing his skills as an action star and filling every scene with his natural charisma.
4 Total Recall
IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Directed: Paul Verhoveven
- Released: 1990
- Running Time: 1h 53m
Total Recall is an over-the-top sci-fi action film that is one of Schwarzenegger’s best. The film follows Quaid, who, after trying out a virtual vacation, finds strange memories have been implanted in his brain. As his reality comes into question, he must fight for the truth and discover why people are now trying to kill him.
Total Recall blends deeper themes of identity and self with ultra-violent action, creating an iconic sci-fi classic in the process. Schwarzenegger is at the height of his star power, commanding the screen and savoring every line, some of which are among his all-time best.
3 Predator
IMDB Rating: 7.8
- Directed: John McTiernan
- Released: 1987
- Running Time: 1h 47m
Another big franchise connected to Schwarzenegger’s name, Predator is a sci-fi action horror film that introduced the iconic monster to the movie-going public. In the film, Schwarzenegger’s Dutch leads a team of elite soldiers into the South American jungles to take out the drug cartels hiding there. They quickly find out they are being hunted in turn, by an invisible and otherworldly threat.
Predator is a bonafide classic and further solidified Schwarzenegger’s status as an action legend. The actor steals every scene, even against the Predator itself. The film is an unashamed macho masterpiece, with each member of the squad oozing personality and testosterone. But out of all the elite soldiers, it is Schwarzenegger who comes out on top as the last man standing, using the Predators’ own tactics against it.
2 The Terminator
IMDB Rating: 8.1
- Directed: James Cameron
- Released: 1984
- Running Time: 1h 47m
The film that catapulted Arnold Schwarzenegger from obscurity to superstardom. TheTerminator follows Michael Biehn’s Kyle Reece, a resistance fighter from the future, who is sent back in time to save Sarah Connor from being killed by the unrelenting Terminator.
This was the perfect role for Austrian-born Schwarzenegger, whose English at the time was limited, and his acting had yet to be honed. The famous bodybuilder fills every scene with menace and perfectly inhabits the emotionless killing machine. Schwarzenegger’s stoic performance instantly captured the public’s imagination, propelling him to superstardom and kick-starting the long-running franchise.
1 Terminator 2: Judgment Day
IMDB Rating: 8.6
- Directed: James Cameron
- Released: 1991
- Running Time: 2h 17m
If the first Terminator movie introduced the public to the dystopian world of killer robots, Terminator 2: Judgement Day took it to another level. This iconic action movie firmly established Schwarzenegger as one of the biggest names in cinema history and is by far his best sci-fi outing.
Arnold returns as the killer robot, although this time around, he’s been reprogrammed to protect the son of Sarah Connor. Schwarzenegger brings humor to the role, as well as his classic one-liners, infusing the character with a humanity that wasn’t possible in the first film. T2 is Arnold Schwarzenegger at his peak, bringing his natural charisma, star power, and famous line delivery to the role that would define his career.
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