Arnold Schwarzenegger movies: In order and ranked

From The Running Man and Predator, to True Lies and Batman & Robin, Arnold Schwarzenegger has fronted some of the biggest, boldest, and battiest blockbusters on the planet. His acting portfolio reads like a list of ‘must-see pictures’, and when it comes to stunts, explosions, and witty one-liners, there is simply no one better.

Whether he’s kicking butt in Commando, or he’s raiding the toy shelves in Jingle All the Way, Arnie is giving it his all. So much so, that even a less-than-successful Arnie film is never down to the actor himself, as he always invests 110% in his performance.

But when it comes to the movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which are his best pictures? And perhaps more importantly, how many have you watched?

Well today is a good day to find out. Below you will discover a list of all Arnie’s movies, dating back to his film debut in the 1970s and running up to more recent times.

And if that wasn’t enough, you will also find a list of the Top Ten Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. Theses are the BEST Arnie movies you NEED to put on your watch list.

Come with me if you want to read more…

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1970s

So where did it all begin? In the 1970s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first film was Hercules in New York. The actor played the title role, however, back then he didn’t get the billing that he would get today.

Those who have seen the film will also know Arnie wasn’t credited under his real name, instead taking the credit as ‘Arnold Strong’. The name change was due to the belief the actor’s surname would be too difficult to pronounce.

Utter madness, but a different era. However, the brief name change didn’t hold him back, nor did the general output of his films during the 1970s.

With the exception of Hercules in New York, it’s fair to say that none of the productions Arnie was involved with from this era are particularly well remembered today. It would take the ’80s for Schwarzenegger to really make his mark.

However, here are Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movies during the 1970s:

• Hercules in New York (1970)
• The Long Goodbye (1973)*
• Happy Anniversary and Goodbye (1974) – TV movie
• Stay Hungry (1976)
• Cactus Jack (1979)
• Scavenger Hunt (1979)

*Uncredited appearance

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1980s

Moving into the 1980s now, which is the decade that would come to define and cement Arnie’s status as an action star. It would also provide the actor with his most famous role, that of The Terminator.

But before The Terminator arrived, Schwarzenegger took on the role of a comic book character for two movies: 1982s Conan the Barbarian and 1984s Conan the Destroyer. The first Conan movie brought Schwarzenegger worldwide recognition and opened the door to a hugely successful career.

From here he would appear in some of his most memorable roles, including John Matrix in Commando; Dutch in Predator; and Ben Richards in The Running Man. He also got to turn his hand to comedy, partnering up with Danny DeVito for the 1988 movie, Twins.

But as noted above, The Terminator was Arnie’s defining role of the decade, and the signature role of his career. It would also be a part he would continue to be associated with for every proceeding decade moving forward.

Here are Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movies of the 1980s:

• The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980)
• Conan the Barbarian (1982)
• Conan the Destroyer (1984)
• The Terminator (1984)
• Red Sonja (1985)
• Commando (1985)
• Raw Deal (1986)
• Predator (1987)
• The Running Man (1987)
• Twins (1988)

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1990s

The ’90s brought another long list of well-known movies, from Total Recall, to Kindergarten Cop. This decade also gave the world Terminator 2: Judgment Day – a rare example of a sequel surpassing the original in every way.

Moving forward, Arnie starred in Last Action Hero, Junior, and Jingle All the Way. In 1994 he teamed up with Jamie Lee Curtis for True Lies, and in 1997 he received a very healthy pay cheque for his turn as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin.

Schwarzenegger’s films during the 1990s included:

• Total Recall (1990)
• Kindergarten Cop (1990)
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
• Christmas in Connecticut (1992)*
• Lincoln (1992)**
• Dave (1993)***
• Last Action Hero (1993)
• Beretta’s Island (1993)*
• True Lies (1994)
• Junior (1994)
• Eraser (1996)
• Jingle All the Way (1996)
• Batman & Robin (1997)
• End of Days (1999)

*Uncredited appearance

**Voice role

***Cameo

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2000s

And now onto the ’00s – a quieter decade for Arnie’s movie career. The reason? It was during this decade that Schwarzenegger moved away from acting to pursue a political career.

However, he still made time for a few films, including The 6th Day, and Collateral Damage. He also returned to the Terminator franchise for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

This would be Arnie’s movie highlight of the ’00s, and his last big role for sometime, with the rest of his cinematic appearances being cameos at best.

Here is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s filmography for the 2000s:

• The 6th Day (2000)
• Collateral Damage (2002)
• Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
• Welcome to the Jungle (2003)*
• Around the World in 80 Days (2004)***
• The Kid & I (2005)***

*Uncredited appearance

***Cameo role

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2010s

And now into the 2010s – a decade which saw Arnie step back in front of the camera. Following a couple of reduced appearances in The Expendables films, the actor took his first major step with The Last Stand.

Escape Plan – a team-up with Sylvester Stallone – soon followed, while 2015’s Maggie saw Arnie try something a little different with a sombre, horror/drama. This was followed up by a return to the Terminator franchise with Genisys and Dark Fate.

Schwarzenegger’s movies during the 2010s included:

• The Expendables (2010)*
• The Expendables 2 (2012)
• The Last Stand (2013)
• Escape Plan (2013)
• Sabotage (2014)
• The Expendables 3 (2014)
• Maggie (2015)
• Terminator Genisys (2015)
• Aftermath (2017)
• Killing Gunther (2017)
• The Iron Mask (2019)
• Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

*Uncredited appearance

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Arnold Schwarzenegger Top Ten movies ranked

Outside of the above filmography, Arnie has appeared in a number of TV shows (Tales from the Crypt, FUBAR, etc), one or two shorts, and various Terminator tie-in attractions; however, it is his movies that remain his most famous work. So, what is the best Arnold Schwarzenegger movie?

Well here are the best, of the best, of the best. Ten must-see Arnie films you simply have to watch.

#10 – Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Schwarzenegger played Conan in two movies, but his first was easily the best, and it deserves a spot in this Top Ten. Why? Because a.) Conan the Barbarian elevated Arnie to a global audience, b.) the film paved the way for everything that followed, and c.) Schwarzenegger was born to play this role!

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#9 – Twins (1988)

The combination of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito and Ghostbusters director, Ivan Reitman resulted in Twins – an enjoyable comedy which proved there was more to Arnie than just his muscles. Playing the lovable Julius Benedict gave the ‘Austrian Oak’ the opportunity to soften his persona, following a string of action orientated roles.

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#8 – Batman & Robin (1997)

Putting Batman & Robin at No. 8 may be divisive amongst some readers, but Arnie does what Arnie does best in this movie, and he has an absolute ball doing it. Playing the vole of Dr. Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze, Arnie steals scenes and delivers lines like no one else.

Say what you want about the movie, but if you’re after an over the top Arnie performance then Batman & Robin delivers. He may not be the Bat-villain you want, but he is the Arnie villain you deserve.

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#7 – The Running Man (1987)

Arnie tackles a Steven King (Richard Bachman) story in this entertaining, dystopian sci-fi action flick, centred around a reality TV show. The movie is best enjoyed with brain firmly switched off, volume cranked up, and popcorn in hand!

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#6 – Total Recall (1990)

Another sci-fi movie and another adaptation of an existing story, this time via Philip K. Dick. Arnie plays Douglas Quaid, a construction worker who dreams about a life that’s not his own (or is it?).

Action, an alien with three breasts, and Michael Ironside – what more could anyone want?

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#5 – The Terminator (1984)

Does this even require any explanation?

Arnie has many highlights in his movie career, but it’s this role that he will be forever known for. While this isn’t the peak entry in the Terminator series, it is a fantastic film that allowed Schwarzenegger to play the perfect assassin.

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#4 – Predator (1987)

Predator has spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs over the years, but none have managed to match the brilliance of the original. The film places Arnie in a fight to the death against the ultimate predator, in a tense, action-packed, and bloody awesome picture!

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#3 – Commando (1985)

Jeez, this was a tough one. In an alternate universe, where the next two entries don’t exist, Commando would be the No.1 Arnie film on this list. Why? Because it is easily the most Arnie-ist Arnie movie of them all.

Everything you expect from an Arnold Schwarzenegger film is on display in Commando, from a stream of one-liners to over the top action. If you’ve never seen it, it is a MUST watch.

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#2 – True Lies (1994)

This was another tough one, as True Lies is a fantastic action movie which is as close to the top spot as it can get. Not only does the movie play to Arnie’s strengths (his action hero persona), it is also the best James Bond movie that isn’t a James Bond movie.

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#1 – Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

Could there be any other movie in the top spot? Terminator 2 is not only Arnie’s highest grossing movie, it’s also his best.

The actor was at the top of his game in this film, which allowed him to build upon the foundations he created in The Terminator. As such, T2 should be watched and re-watched at regular intervals, because it is one of the greatest action films of all time, that never wears out its welcome.

In The Terminator, Arnie promised he’d be back. Not only did he keep his promise for this sequel, but he made sure his return was worth the wait.

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So, are you a fan of Schwarzenegger films? What do you believe is the best of his back catalogue? Is there a film in his portfolio that is a hidden gem? Maybe End of Days? Perhaps The 6th Day? Could it be Eraser or Last Action Hero?

Whatever your thoughts and feelings, sound off in the comments section below. Do it. Do it now!

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Editor/Writer/Action Icon

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Arnold Schwarzenegger movies on It’s A Stampede! – I hope it has proved useful. For more useful posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.