Synonymous with action-packed movies, incredible muscles and a big personality, Arnold Schwarzenegger turns 77 today. Born in Austria in 1947, his journey from a small village to becoming a global icon has been nothing short of extraordinary. Arnold was born into a very strict family, and his father was a very strict policeman. He wanted Schwarzenegger to become a policeman too. But Arnold had other plans for his life.
He was just 15 when he began intense physical and psychological training. This led him to become a bodybuilding champion. Yes, Arnold’s prowess in bodybuilding opened doors for him in Hollywood. His muscular physique and charm made him perfect for action roles. And, over the years, he starred in some of the most incredible movies. Let’s take a look at 11 iconic movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Arnold returns as the futuristic robot T-800 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This time he is on a mission to protect John Connor. The film is full of thrilling action sequences and emotional moments. Arnold’s performance as the robot and the gripping story make it a must-watch.
2. The Terminator (1984)
In this film, Arnold played a cyborg assassin sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor. His terrifying performance as the emotionless Terminator is one of his most memorable performances. Arnold’s terrifying line, “I’ll be back,” became very famous. This film made him a household name.
3. Predator (1987)
In this science-fiction thriller, Arnold leads a team of commandos against an alien predator in the jungle. They soon discover that they are being hunted by an alien creature. The film is a mix of action, suspense and horror. In Predator too, he stole the show with his one-liners.
4. Total Recall (1990)
Total Recall was another successful film for Arnold. He played Douglas Quaid, a man who discovers that his memories may not be real. He travels to Mars and faces danger and lies. The mix of science fiction and action excited audiences.
5. Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Arnold showed his funny side in Kindergarten Cop. He plays Detective John Kimble, who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher to catch a criminal. The film is a mix of action and comedy, with Arnold trying to handle a classroom full of energetic children. His interactions with those children were both hilarious and heartwarming.
6. True Lies (1994)
In True Lies, Arnold plays Harry Tasker, a secret agent who suspects his wife of infidelity while dealing with a terrorist threat. The film blends action and comedy, with Jamie Lee Curtis giving a stellar performance as Harry’s wife. Arnold’s charm and action skills shine through in this film.
7. The Expendables (2010)
Arnold reunited with fellow action stars Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis in the 2010 film The Expendables. He made a memorable cameo as Trench and showed that he can still command attention on the big screen, even as he gets older.
8. Commando (1985)
Commando tells the story of retired Special Forces Colonel John Matrix, played by Arnold. Matrix goes on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Matrix transforms from a calm father to a ruthless warrior as he fights a group of mercenaries.
9. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Arnold’s first major acting role came in Conan the Barbarian. In this epic fantasy film, he played the title character, a warrior on a quest for revenge. Arnold’s performance, combined with his physique, helped make the film a success. It also established him as a leading man in Hollywood and opened the door for more roles in the future.
10. Last Action Hero (1993)
In Last Action Hero, Arnold played a fictional action hero, Jack Slater, a film full of self-aware humor and over-the-top action sequences. This film is a fun take on action movies as it is filled with humor and clever jokes.
11. The Running Man (1987)
The Running Man is set in a dystopian future and directed by Paul Michael Glaser. It stars Arnold as a wrongly accused man who is forced to participate in a deadly game show. He has to fight for his life against stalkers, who are gladiators sent to kill him on live TV.
These are some of Arnold’s different roles that have made him a Hollywood icon. Do let us know in the comments which role of Arnold Schwarzenegger is your favorite.
Also read: Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals he tricked Sylvester Stallone into being part of a flop film
