Schwarzenegger's Highs and Lows
by eman2136 | created - 23 Feb 2013 | updated - 26 Jun 2014 | PublicThe best, worst and in-between of Arnold Schwarzenegger's film career. Personally I have not seen every single one of his films, which is good and bad. I will note the ones I have seen, at least parts and tell whether to see or skip.
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1. Hercules in New York (1970)
G | 92 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Hercules is sent to Earth where he finds true love and starts a promising career in the bodybuilder business.
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman | Stars: Arnold Stang, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Deborah Loomis, James Karen
Votes: 19,595
Arnold's feature-length film debut. This movie originally featured an over-dubbed voice over Arnold's because you couldn't understand through his thick accent. Only seen parts of this but it looks kinda contrived. I say: skip.
2. Pumping Iron (1977)
PG | 86 min | Documentary, Sport
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.
Directors: George Butler, Robert Fiore | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Matty Ferrigno, Victoria Ferrigno
Votes: 24,915
The first film that gave Arnold notoriety and featured him at his expertise: bodybuilding. Follow the journey of Arnold and his buddies through bodybuilding competitions. Did not see this one but feel good enough to say: see.
3. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
R | 129 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A powerful warrior seeks to avenge the genocide of his people and the murder of his parents at the hands of a snake cult.
Director: John Milius | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman
Votes: 162,461 | Gross: $39.57M
Did not see this one, so I have no synopsis. But do: see it.
4. Conan the Destroyer (1984)
PG | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Conan leads a ragtag group of adventurers on a quest for a princess.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Olivia d'Abo, Wilt Chamberlain
Votes: 85,331 | Gross: $31.04M
Sequel to the previous "Conan" movie. Again did not see this one but...do: see it.
5. The Terminator (1984)
R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Votes: 923,960 | Gross: $38.40M
One of my all time favorite movies. About a killer cyborg from the future and a protector that must save the mother of the future savior of the world. Definitely say: see.
6. Red Sonja (1985)
PG-13 | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brigitte Nielsen, Sandahl Bergman, Paul L. Smith
Votes: 44,874 | Gross: $6.95M
Sorry I did not see this one either, but have good intentions and say: see it.
7. Commando (1985)
R | 90 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A retired Special Forces colonel tries to save his daughter, who was abducted by his former subordinate.
Director: Mark L. Lester | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells
Votes: 174,839 | Gross: $35.10M
Only have seen this once or twice. About a mercenary whose daughter is kidnapped and must save her from the bad guys. "Bennett!!!" I do say: see.
8. Raw Deal (1986)
R | 106 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A former FBI agent turned small-town sheriff agrees to help the FBI chief infiltrate the Chicago mafia when the FBI chief's son is killed by them.
Director: John Irvin | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathryn Harrold, Sam Wanamaker, Paul Shenar
Votes: 37,595 | Gross: $16.21M
Finally got around to this one. Infiltrating a mob for a friend and killing the bad guys. Kinda hokey, who would allow some big muscle bound Austrian guy into an Italian mob? Anyway I say: either way it's up to you.
9. Predator (1987)
R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
A team of commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.
Director: John McTiernan | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo
Votes: 454,691 | Gross: $59.74M
Only seen this one for the first time in the past few years. Definitely one of Arnold's best. You try tracking an invisible creature killing everything in sight! If you are an "Arnold fan", I say: see.
10. The Running Man (1987)
R | 101 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.
Director: Paul Michael Glaser | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jim Brown
Votes: 167,623 | Gross: $38.12M
Falsely accused of murder, go to prison and try to make a break for it. Don't let the fuzz catch you, we're not putting you back in prison. In stead let's put you on our latest game show and win your freedom, but you may have the pay the price of death. I have to say: see.
11. Red Heat (1988)
R | 104 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A tough Russian policeman is forced to partner up with a cocky Chicago police detective when he is sent to Chicago to apprehend a Georgian drug lord who killed his partner and fled the country.
Director: Walter Hill | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Belushi, Peter Boyle, Ed O'Ross
Votes: 76,025 | Gross: $34.99M
Bit of mismatching between Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi. Arnold plays a Russian cop who is by-the-book type and Belushi is every day detective in Chicago. Arnold's character follows a Russian thug to the U.S. hoping to capture him and haul him back to Russia, all while trying to keep up with the U.S. law enforcement bureaucracy. While this is back in the Action genre, native to Schwarzenegger's style, you may or may not go along for this adventure. But I say: see it.
12. Twins (1988)
PG | 107 min | Comedy, Crime
A physically perfect but innocent man goes in search of his long-lost twin brother, who is short, a womanizer, and small-time crook.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Kelly Preston, Chloe Webb
Votes: 137,189 | Gross: $111.94M
Arnold's first crack at a comedy or dramedy type movie. Partnering up with director Ivan Reitman and co-star Danny DeVito. A bit ill-conceived that one twin is a big muscular, intelligent man and the other a short, stubby, low-life street-smart loser. Follow the chaos of these reunited brothers on the path to bring back their family. I say: make your own choice. If you can't see Arnold as funny, skip. If you're willing to take a chance: see.
13. Total Recall (1990)
R | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?
Director: Paul Verhoeven | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin
Votes: 354,470 | Gross: $119.39M
If you haven't seen this movie, one catchphrase may really stick in your head: "Get your ass to Mars." Based the Phillip K. Dick novel. Schwarzenegger goes to Rekall, a virtual trip agency set in the future. Before he knows it, did he go to Mars? What happened? I definitely say: see it.
14. Kindergarten Cop (1990)
PG-13 | 111 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A tough cop must pose as a kindergarten teacher in order to locate a dangerous criminal's ex-wife, who may hold the key to putting him behind bars.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Pamela Reed, Linda Hunt
Votes: 162,588 | Gross: $91.46M
Another pairing with director Ivan Reitman, this time without Danny DeVito, for justified reasons. Arnold as cop must go undercover to seek out a killer's ex-wife and son and protect them from being found and hunted. Most of the time Schwarzenegger is posing as a substitute kindergarten teacher and has to deal with these rugrats and all the darn things they say and do. Some funny catchphrases and say: see it.
15. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Votes: 1,173,732 | Gross: $204.84M
Probably Schwarzenegger's best movie to date. Two catchphrases you'll always hear people say and one was also in the original: "I'll Be Back!" and "Hasta, la vista, baby!" He is back, this time to protect: John Connor. And terminate the T-1000. Do not miss this movie, I say: SEE IT!!!
16. Last Action Hero (1993)
PG-13 | 130 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
With the help of a magic ticket, a young movie fan is transported into the fictional world of his favorite action movie character.
Director: John McTiernan | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance
Votes: 163,763 | Gross: $50.02M
Little factoid first: originally "Commando" was going to have a sequel but it turned into "Die Hard" which was going to have Schwarzenegger in it but turned it down but this movie is also by "Die Hard" director John McTiernan. Follow the story of a young boy and his favorite action star: Jack Slater. But is it just a movie or a real adventure? Isn't he an actor or his really a cop? I say: see it.
17. True Lies (1994)
R | 141 min | Action, Comedy, Thriller
A fearless, globe-trotting, terrorist-battling secret agent has his life turned upside down when he discovers his wife might be having an affair with a used-car salesman while terrorists smuggle nuclear war heads into the United States.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton
Votes: 280,864 | Gross: $146.28M
Partnered up again with "Terminator" and "Terminator 2" director James Cameron. This time Arnold is top secret U.S. government spy and no one really knows that, not even his wife (played by Jamie Lee Curtis). I like the interspersed light comedy and action together that makes it a not stop thrill ride. And I say: see it.
18. Junior (1994)
PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi
As part of a fertility research project, a male scientist agrees to carry a pregnancy in his own body.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson, Frank Langella
Votes: 72,983 | Gross: $36.76M
The first of multiple disappointments in Arnold's career. Yes, partnered up again with director Ivan Reitman and also "Twins" co-star, Danny DeVito. How contrived of a plot is this: a fully grown man getting pregnant? WOW, that is a stretch!! And too far of a stretch for anyone to appreciate this piece of garbage! I say: skip it!!!
19. Eraser (1996)
R | 115 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A Witness Protection specialist becomes suspicious of his co-workers when dealing with a case involving high-tech weapons.
Director: Chuck Russell | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Williams, James Caan, James Coburn
Votes: 118,358 | Gross: $101.30M
One of those borderline movies whether you don't if it's any good or not. Arnold's character has the job of working with the Witness Protection program and must do the job of destroying people's past to give them a new life. Well, there is a rogue agent at the FBI and doesn't look good when you might be setup and all your witnesses are no longer safe. I give this one a: see it. But it is borderline good.
20. Jingle All the Way (1996)
PG | 89 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. However, every store is sold out, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one.
Director: Brian Levant | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson
Votes: 116,134 | Gross: $60.57M
Probably Arnold's worst performance of his career. So much many people still reference it when making fun of Arnold. So you have to get your kid the most popular toy for Christmas and that is less than two days away and you still haven't got it. You kid doesn't get it, he will be so upset and his friends will hate him. Throw in the mix this movie has actor/rapper Sinbad? Another reason to: skip it.
21. Batman & Robin (1997)
PG-13 | 125 min | Action, Sci-Fi
Batman and Robin try to keep their relationship together even as they must stop Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from freezing Gotham City.
Director: Joel Schumacher | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman
Votes: 268,087 | Gross: $107.33M
In general, probably the worst of the Batman movies. And with Arnold back playing a bad guy, you think it might be a good movie? Wrong!! Seems like, every time you have him playing a smart/intellectual type guy, the audience just doesn't buy it. Arnold playing Mr. Freeze, well, he will do just that to you, freeze you from ever watching this pile of garbage. I say: skip.
22. End of Days (1999)
R | 122 min | Action, Fantasy, Horror
At the end of the century, Satan visits New York in search of a bride. It's up to an ex-cop who now runs an elite security outfit to stop him.
Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Byrne, Robin Tunney, Kevin Pollak
Votes: 116,708 | Gross: $66.89M
Another lackluster movie added to Arnold's repertoire. He leads a security team to protect high-class citizen and expensive cargo. But can he face the anti-christ and save the world from the apocalypse? All while facing his personal demons and past mistakes of saving those he lost? The content just doesn't mix with Arnold's acting skills. I say: skip it.
23. The 6th Day (2000)
PG-13 | 123 min | Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A man meets a clone of himself and stumbles into a grand conspiracy about clones taking over the world.
Director: Roger Spottiswoode | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker
Votes: 127,884 | Gross: $34.60M
"On the sixth day, God created man." I think that's how they got this title, not sure why they got Arnold. In the future, human cloning has been outlawed but doesn't stop them from actually doing it. And are sure that's you in your home, wait "I'm me, but that's me over there, what?" A bit confusing and a little hard to follow plus not much story. Unfortunately I have to say: skip it.
24. Collateral Damage (2002)
R | 108 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
After his family is killed by a terrorist act, a firefighter goes in search of the one responsible.
Director: Andrew Davis | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Leguizamo, Francesca Neri, Elias Koteas
Votes: 77,967 | Gross: $40.08M
Get ready for another role where Arnold plays a different guy. This time a fireman. And he IS after terrorists again. Trying to avenge deaths again, as far travelling across the world to hunt down the killer. I was pretty much on the fence on this one. Can't really nail it down. You may have to decide for this film.
25. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
R | 109 min | Action, Sci-Fi
A machine from a post-apocalyptic future travels back in time to protect a man and a woman from an advanced robotic assassin to ensure they both survive a nuclear attack.
Director: Jonathan Mostow | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Kristanna Loken, Claire Danes
Votes: 418,457 | Gross: $150.37M
He's back! As the Terminator, that is. This movie fell a little short and there are some plot holes. That being said, the CGI and other special effects were fairly good but if you can't have a really good solid story along with it does take away from the movie experience. But I do say: see it.
26. Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
PG | 120 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
To win a bet, an eccentric British inventor embarks, with his Chinese valet and an aspiring French artist, on a trip full of adventures and dangers around the world in exactly 80 days.
Director: Frank Coraci | Stars: Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Jim Broadbent, Kathy Bates
Votes: 94,744 | Gross: $24.01M
Yes, Arnold was in this movie. And "yes" I did not see it. Maybe he was really funny or it was probably a joke him being in a movie like this. But just for his performance, I can't say. But lean most likely towards: skip.
27. Terminator Salvation (2009)
PG-13 | 115 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In 2018, a mysterious new weapon in the war against the machines, half-human and half-machine, comes to John Connor on the eve of a resistance attack on Skynet. But whose side is he on, and can he be trusted?
Director: McG | Stars: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood
Votes: 377,233 | Gross: $125.32M
Technically you can't count this one on Arnold's resume. But once you follow the movie through to it's completion, you will see why I included this one. But don't credit Arnold on this performance. I do say: see it.
28. The Expendables (2010)
R | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A CIA operative hires a team of mercenaries to eliminate a Latin dictator and a renegade CIA agent.
Director: Sylvester Stallone | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren
Votes: 364,656 | Gross: $103.07M
Arnold does NOT have an official credit for this movie, making it a cameo appearance. So it might not be on the typical acting resume. However with his cameo, he does seem to steal the scene he is in. I do say: see it. (At least for this scene he is in.)
29. The Expendables 2 (2012)
R | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.
Director: Simon West | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Liam Hemsworth, Randy Couture, Jean-Claude Van Damme
Votes: 322,264 | Gross: $85.02M
A more than decent sequel to the original and with even more Arnold. A great ensemble cast and action movie worth viewing. I say: see it.
30. The Last Stand (2013)
R | 107 min | Action, Thriller, Western
The leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff and his inexperienced staff.
Director: Jee-woon Kim | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro
Votes: 145,324 | Gross: $12.05M
Did finally see this. Unfortunately I couldn't see it in theaters but watched it on Blu-Ray for the first time. Surprisingly Forest Whitaker co-stars in this film, some might say why some actors starred in this movie with somewhat unknown or undesired actors but it was enjoyable, at least for me. Not going into too much detail. I say see this movie, at least once.
31. Escape Plan (2013)
R | 115 min | Action, Thriller
When a structural-security authority finds himself set up and incarcerated in the world's most secret and secure prison, he has to use his skills to escape with help from the inside.
Director: Mikael Håfström | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, 50 Cent, Vincent D'Onofrio
Votes: 257,406 | Gross: $25.13M
Finally saw it on Blu-Ray, like the others. Pretty good to see Arnold and Sylvester Stallone play off each other. Both have had illustrious action movie careers and to finally see these two together in one movie (aside from the Expendables movies) was great. It does drag on here and there plus of course it has a mysterious plot. I do say: see it. The tentative title was: "The Tomb" but that has changed obviously. Also, it was expected to open on/around September 27th 2013 but now that was changed to on/around October 18th 2013.
32. The Expendables 3 (2014)
PG-13 | 126 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
Barney augments his team with new blood for a personal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables co-founder and notorious arms trader who is hell bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates.
Director: Patrick Hughes | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Antonio Banderas
Votes: 196,142 | Gross: $39.32M
Of course another sequel. I cannot say yet, because it isn't out yet. To be released on: August 15, 2014
33. Terminator Genisys (2015)
PG-13 | 126 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline.
Director: Alan Taylor | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney
Votes: 292,487 | Gross: $89.76M
Yes, he's back. As the Terminator, that is. One thing that did annoy me was the tentative poster, come on he looks more like the Governator than the Terminator. I thought it was a bit hokey but combining somewhat of a remake with a sequel, somewhat original. To be released sometime in....2015
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