Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 10 Best Film Performances: From ‘Terminator’ to ‘True Lies’ (2024)

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The Austrian-born actor, producer, former bodybuilder and governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most successful box office stars in history. With over 50 credits grossing more than $4 billion worldwide, Schwarzenegger ranks among the top 40 highest-grossing stars of all time.

To celebrate his birthday, Variety ranks his 10 best film performances.

With a career that began by playing a “special agent” infiltrating a gym in “Stay Hungry” (1976) and a spotlight in the documentary feature classic “Pumping Iron” (1977), Schwarzenegger went on to become one of the most influential and classic action stars of his generation.

His breakout role came with the epic adaptation “Conan the Barbarian” (1982), directed by John Milius and co-written by Oscar-winner Oliver Stone. An instant box office success, he moved on to the defining franchise of his career with “The Terminator” (1984), playing the villainous cyborg sent back in time to kill the mother of humanity’s savior John Connor. It spawned one of the best sequels ever made with “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” (1991). This time, Schwarzenegger became the protector of young Connor (played by Edward Furlong) alongside an Oscar-worthy performance by Linda Hamilton.

Schwarzenegger was a dominant force in the ’80s and ’90s, with roles in “Commando” (1985), “Predator” (1987), “Twins” (1988), “Kindergarten Cop” (1990), “Total Recall” (1990) and “True Lies” (1994).

Despite being considered “one-note” to film critics, he garnered a few accolades. Schwarzenegger was nominated for a Golden Globe for lead actor (comedy) for his performance as a man who becomes pregnant in “Junior” (1994) and won an Emmy as an executive producer alongside his longtime friend and collaborator James Cameron for the docuseries “Years of Living Dangerously” (2014).

Read Variety’s rankings below and watch his best scene from each listed performance.

Honorable mentions: “Conan the Barbarian” (1982); “Red Sonja” (1985); “Last Action Hero” (1993); “Jingle All the Way” (1996); “Batman & Robin” (1997)

'Junior' (1994)
Role: Dr. Alexander Hesse
Director: Ivan Reitman
Writer(s): Kevin Wade, Chris Conrad
Distributor: Universal Pictures
The scene that proves it: Childbirth scene.
Schwarzenegger playing a medical doctor can be pretty far-fetched but he pulls it off thanks to the assistance of Oscar-winner Emma Thompson. Nabbing a Golden Globe nom for his troubles, it’s probably the closest he’s ever gotten to his own Academy Awards mention.
'Predator' (1987)
Role: Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer
Director: John McTiernan
Writer(s): John McTiernan, John Thomas
Distributor: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
The scene that proves it: “You’re one ugly mother f*cker.”
Schwarzenegger with machine guns, getting ready for battle and kicking ass alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura and more. What more can you ask for? Initiating the “Predator” franchise was a walk in the jungle.
'Commando' (1985)
Role: John Matrix
Director: Mark L. Lester
Writer(s): Steven E. De Souza, Joseph Loeb III, Matthew Weisman
Distributor: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
The scene that proves it: “He’s dead tired.”
Travel to 1985, turn your brain off and watch Schwarzenegger kill bad guys as John Matrix (what a name). In the end he gets the girl (played the great Rae Dawn Chong) and saves his young Cindy (played by a young Alyssa Milano). Two thumbs up.
'Twins' (1988)
Role: Julius
Director: Ivan Reitman
Writer(s): William Davies, Timothy Harris, William Osborne, Herschel Weingrod
Distributor: Universal Pictures
The scene that proves it: “My name is Julius and I am your twin brother.”
From late director Ivan Reitman, Schwarzenegger was able to show a softer side opposite Danny DeVito in the classic buddy comedy. The duo play separated fraternal twin brothers, who reunite to uncover the scientific mystery of their genetics. Schwarzenegger has lots of high points including sharing a motel floor with Kelly Preston and reciting the rules of a crisis situation.
'Kindergarten Cop' (1990)
Role: John Kimble
Director: Ivan Reitman
Writer(s): Murray Salem, Herschel Weingrod, Timothy Harris
Distributor: Universal Pictures
The scene that proves it: “Who is your Daddy and what does he do?”
Reunited with director Reitman, Schwarzenegger plays an undercover detective that is forced to play a kindergarten teacher in Oregon. While the story defies logic, such as an ending that allows a non-college educated policeman taking over a group of students, despite bringing a shootout, a fire and a second grade teacher (Penelope Ann Miller, who is the focus of the case), constantly out of her classroom to leave her students unattended – he and the film, are great fun.
'The Terminator' (1984)
Role: The Terminator
Director: James Cameron
Writer(s): James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Distributor: Orion Pictures
The scene that proves it: “I’ll be back.”
Schwarzenegger’s physical presence in the franchise kickoff is commanding, even when using one signature look. His limited line readings even standout such as “I’ll be back.” It broke into the cultural zeitgeist and still remains prominent, even today.
'Total Recall' (1990)
Role: Douglas Quaid / Carl Hauser
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Writer(s): Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman
Distributor: Tri-Star Pictures
The scene that proves it: “Get your ass to Mars.”
The long tale of “Total Recall” getting to the big screen is more fascinating than the movie itself, but the film is still an absolute riot, especially Schwarzenegger’s go for broke turn as a planet Mars double agent. Having to choose between Sharon Stone and Rachel Ticotin, and fighting against all odds to keep his eyes inside his head, its cult status is warranted thanks to Schwarzenegger (and three boobs).
'Maggie' (2015)
Role: Wade
Director: Henry Hobson
Writer(s): John Scott 3
Distributor: Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions
The scene that proves it: Talking with Maggie about her mother.
Over 20 years after the last good “Terminator” movie, and after leaving the world of politics, Schwarzenegger takes on a tender role as a father whose daughter (Abigail Breslin) is turning into a zombie. Not sure we’ve ever seen the man more vulnerable in a movie.
'True Lies' (1994)
Role: Harry Tasker
Director: James Cameron
Writer(s): James Cameron (based on “La Totale!” by Claude Zidi, Simon Michael, Didier Kaminka)
Distributor: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
The scene that proves it: Dancing the Tango
Utilizing some dance moves, and signature “Arnold phrases” such as “get down” and “nooooooo!,” his leading man charisma has never been better displayed. Helped immensely by a grotesquely Oscar-snubbed and Golden Globe winning Jamie Lee Curtis as his wife-turned-spy, and a hilarious Tom Arnold, it’s one of the best action comedies of the 90s.
And let’s not forget the amazing turns by Bill Paxton, a sultry Tia Carrere and George Clooney’s longtime producing partner Grant Heslov.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Role: The Terminator
Director: James Cameron
Writer(s): James Cameron, William Wisher
Distributor: Tri-Star Pictures
The scene that proves it: “I know now why you cry…”
The machine that’s sent back in time to protect the resistance leader John Connor (Edward Furlong) called on every part of Schwarzenegger’s acting arsenal without pushing the limits of his abilities. With excellent chemistry with Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), and fighting bouts with the villainous T-1000 (Robert Patrick), he even manages to tug at the heartstrings when being lowered into the steel, but not before learning the meaning of humanity.