Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 7 Best Sci-Fi Movies

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If you think of action movie stars, names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Jason Statham probably come to mind, and in roughly that order. Schwarzenegger is certainly one of the greatest action leads ever, as films like Commando, True Lies, and Eraser prove. However, his best movies are actually sci-fi action films. He’s had very few misses when combining those genres – really only The 6th Day and, arguably, Batman & Robin.

The remaining films are enjoyable, well-made, or truly iconic. Many feature the Terminator franchise, but even beyond his role as the T-800, Arnold Schwarzenegger has starred in some of the greatest sci-fi action movies ever made.

7) Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is a fun, typical blockbuster, but doesn’t really stand out. Kristanna Loken is a highlight, delivering a strong performance as the new villain, the T-X, and effectively following in the footsteps of the memorable T-1000 and T-800.

Even Terminator 3 felt content to simply rehash what made Terminator 2 successful, rather than try anything new. While the ending is surprisingly bleak, the movie largely feels like a weaker imitation of a classic. And although later films like Genisys and Salvation have their silly parts, nothing is quite as cringeworthy as the T-800 (or T-850) delivering the line, “Talk to the hand.” Despite its flaws, Rise of the Machines is still a better film overall than those two sequels.

6) Terminator: Dark Fate

The Terminator series hasn’t been able to recapture the magic of the first two films directed by James Cameron, but Terminator: Dark Fate came the closest. Despite being a strong sequel that many fans wanted, it didn’t do well in theaters. After several disappointing installments, audiences were hesitant to get their hopes up again and risk another letdown.

Hopefully, people will eventually recognize Dark Fate for what it is. While it’s not flawless, it successfully avoids simply repeating past movies. And as a final chance for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton to play these characters – and for the audience to bid them farewell – it’s hard to imagine a better conclusion.

Stream Terminator: Dark Fate on fuboTV.

5) The Running Man

Although Edgar Wright’s newer version stays closer to Stephen King’s original story, many would agree that the 1987 film The Running Man is simply more entertaining. It’s like Gladiator, but with a much more over-the-top and comedic style.

The movie features classic Arnold Schwarzenegger lines, a character who loves opera as much as violence, and Richard Dawson playing a version of himself – a truly awful and unlikeable game show host.

Stream The Running Man on fuboTV.

4) Total Recall

With thrilling action sequences and Paul Verhoeven’s skillful direction, Total Recall is a fast-paced and exciting film that stands as one of the best action movies of the 1990s. Similar to Verhoeven’s RoboCop, it expertly combines intelligent themes with surprisingly graphic violence.

The movie Total Recall is packed with mind-bending ideas about what’s real, which might be confusing for viewers who aren’t sci-fi fans. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s surprisingly natural and innocent performance helps you connect with the story and stay invested. His character, Quaid, is constantly amazed by everything around him, and that makes us feel like we’re experiencing the thrilling and dangerous adventure right alongside him.

Stream Total Recall on fuboTV.

3) Predator

Predator is a truly rewatchable action movie with a perfectly timed plot. Like all great monster films, it smartly keeps the creature hidden until the final act, and that final act is spectacular.

With Predator, director John McTiernan first showed his talent for thrilling action, a skill he’d further demonstrate with Die Hard the following year. He excelled at creating seemingly impossible scenarios where a single hero ultimately prevails. Combined with the tight, enclosed feel of the jungle location, Predator is gripping from start to finish and maintains a relentless pace.

Stream Predator on Hulu.

2) The Terminator

James Cameron’s The Terminator is a landmark science fiction film and arguably Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best work from the 1980s. It was a breakout success for Cameron, showcasing his talent for blending exciting action with thought-provoking themes, leaving audiences both entertained and deeply engaged with the film’s world.

As a film buff, I’ve always been struck by how The Terminator tapped into a real fear – the idea that artificial intelligence could become humanity’s biggest enemy. It feels incredibly ahead of its time, honestly. Even forty years later, it’s the movie everyone brings up when discussing how scary the possibilities of today’s technology can be.

Stream The Terminator on Netflix.

1) Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Few action movies deliver such a thrilling experience as Terminator 2: Judgment Day. What’s truly remarkable is how good it still looks, considering it was a pioneer in early computer-generated imagery and was made almost 35 years ago. James Cameron has always been at the forefront of filmmaking innovation, and many consider this film to be even more groundbreaking than Avatar.

The second film took a big risk by completely changing the role of the T-800. The robot was a ruthless killer in the first movie, so turning it into a protective father figure could have alienated viewers. Surprisingly, it had the opposite effect. This bold move is a major reason why Terminator 2: Judgment Day is often considered one of the greatest movie sequels ever made – right up there with The Godfather Part II.

Stream Terminator 2: Judgment Day on Netflix.

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2025-12-26 18:44