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Regarding movie virtuoso during the 1980s , it does not get any bigger thanArnold Schwarzenegger , who spent this decennium starring in some of the most iconic military action movie ever produced . From his breakout success inConan the Barbarianto the timeless appealingness ofThe Terminator , this Austrian muscle builder managed to become one of Hollywood ’s most bankable stars and earn his place as a measure of forward-looking popular culture . With a acquirement for playing no - hokum heroes who had fiddling issue with leaving bodies and butchery in their wake , the only thing more unstoppable than Schwarzenegger during the eighties was his life history .
Many of thebest Schwarzenegger activity movieswere released during the 1980s , as his on-going contention with fellow action hero Sylvester Stallone meant they pushed one another to continually up the stakes and make increasingly vivid , over - the - top action movies . Schwarzenegger played fancy warriors , unstoppable killing simple machine , and skilled Special Forces officers during this clip , as each film had something special to offer for action motion-picture show lovers . While the quality may have depart from moving-picture show to film , the appeal , charisma , andthe consistent work ethic of Schwarzenegger during the 1980s meant he was the big action star of that decade .
9Red Sonja (1985)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Lord Kalidor
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Red Sonja is a 1985 phantasy adventure starring Brigitte Nielsen as a warrior assay revenge against the malevolent Queen Gedren . With assistance from Lord Kalidor , Sonja battle mystical forces to recuperate a potent souvenir . The film is based on a part from the Conan creation .
As the last of three fantasy sword - and - black art movie Arnold Schwarzenegger made in the 1980s , deplorably , Red Sonjabelonged at the bottom of the peck . As an attack to cash in on the achiever ofConan the Barbarianwithout the power of stigma recognition , Schwarzenegger was demoted to the supporting role of Lord Kalidorin this epical Hyborian Age escapade that left viewers want . Although it ’s refreshing to see the writing style get a distaff twist with Brigitte Nielsen in the rubric character , this uninspired journeying through phantasy trope and cliches lacked the prayer of Schwarzengger ’s greatest phantasy offering .
Schwarzenegger has expressed his disapproval for the pic by put forward ( viaXfinity ): “ It ’s the worst film I have ever made … Now I tell my child that if they get out of line , they ’ll be coerce to catch Red Sonja ten time in a row . ” Although there ’s enough campy humor that some viewers may be able to enjoyRed Sonjaas a spoof of the musical genre . However , the problematic representation of a highly sexualized woman who relied on her manful counterpart meant thatRed Sonjawas an unlikely candidate for reassessment as a forgotten classic by innovative spectator .
8Conan the Destroyer (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan
Conan the Destroyer is a fantasy action film directed by Richard Fleischer . star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular lineament , the film follows Conan on a quest to recall a magical artifact , aid by a motley crew of allies . This subsequence to Conan the Barbarian , released in 1982 , carry on the adventures of the iconic sword - wielding hero in a mystical world of endangerment and necromancy .
Conan the Destroyerwas Arnold Schwarzenegger ’s very first sequel and signaled the first of his transition from a non - descript pic muscle-builder into a bona fide movie star whose presence alone was enough to accomplish box office success . With Schwarzenegger and Mako recapitulate their part as Conan and Akiro , the Wizard of the Mounds , Conan the Destroyertoned down the wildness from the original and upped ego - mindful humor . While this light tone may have made for an entertaining movie , it also miss the dark undercurrents that made the serial place upright out in the first position .
For this sequel , Conan the Destroyer softened the edges of a series whose dark was a major part of its winner .
However , despitethe campy comic book fun ofConan the Destroyer , Schwarzenegger had yet to find his comedic voice and struggled with fetch the tone right here . Schwarzenegger ’s word picture were a far cry from the knowing tongue - in - cheek dash ofLast Action Heroor the affecting symmetry of humor and sentimentality he draw off inKindergarten Copduring the nineties . For this subsequence , Conan the Destroyersoftened the edges of a serial whose darkness was a major part of its success and , in the appendage , lost something special .
7Raw Deal (1986)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Sheriff Mark Kaminski / Joseph P. Brenner
Raw Deal features Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mark Kaminsky , a former FBI federal agent who becomes the sheriff of a belittled North Carolina Ithiel Town after being dismissed for wrongful conduct . He is recruited by FBI Chief Harry Shannon to infiltrate and tear down a mob governing body led by the notorious Patrovina , in interchange for reinstatement .
Throughout the eighties , Arnold Schwarzenegger had one major cinematic rival , Sylvester Stallone . Asthe feud between Schwarzenegger and Stalloneintensified throughout the decade , the pair would criticize one another in the press and vie for box place winner . One major instance of this was the release ofRaw Deal , a straight - up military action movie that was essentially the same kind of unembellished - bones killing spectacle as Stallone’sCobra , a movie released just one month prior .
WhileCobrafound unbelievable box berth success and has since become a cultus classic , Schwarzenegger’sRaw Dealreceived mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office . As a rare trip for Schwarzenegger during the 1980s , Raw Dealinvolved a former FBI factor going undercover to penetrate the mafia and just experience derivative of so many other movies during this time . WhileRaw Dealworked well as vacuous Zea mays everta natural action moving picture fun , it just did n’t add anything to the literary genre and gave viewers minuscule rationality to revisit it today .
6Red Heat (1988)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Ivan Danko
Ivan Danko is a toughened Russian cop who is force to lick alongside extrovert detective Art Ridzik . The duad investigate a major international criminal involve in drug trafficking who has fled Russia for the United States .
By the later 1980s , Schwarzenegger had truly found his footing in the realm of action comedies , and this was a fashion he would go on to encompass throughout the 1990s . InRed Heat , Schwarzenegger portrayed an intense Soviet policeman in a1980s buddy cop filmthat paired him with a laidback Chicago law officer play by Jim Belushi . This duet wreak well together , and althoughRed Heatrelied heavily on action genre clichés , strong direction from Walter Hill and two antic confidential information performances meant viewers were in for a good time .
Red Heatfeatured good deal of over - the - top violence as the hero sandwich shot their way through Chicago with almost comic ledger - comparable recklessness . Schwarzenegger was perfectly cast as the driven and resolute Captain Ivan Danko , while Belushi ’s lighter touch made them the perfect duo of uneven copper . While audiences will have to give their good sense of realism out the windowpane to enjoyRed Heat , as an gratifying action drollery , it ’s firing on all cylinders .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon.
5The Running Man (1987)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser , The Running Man is a sci - fi action celluloid star Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Ben Richards , a former pig who ’s forced to compete in a deadly biz show where criminals oppose for their lives . The 1987 movie is based on a Stephen King novel under his penitentiary name Richard Bachman .
In the far distant future of 2017 , Arnold Schwarzenegger played Ben Richards , a police whirlybird fender living in a totalistic body politic featuring a popular tv set show where contestants must be given from professional grampus to earn a barb at freedom . base on a novel by Stephen King , The Running Manwas an pleasurable sci - fi adventure that satirise modern media and its increasingly mean - spirited and exploitive substance . While its social critique does n’t go quite far enough , it was thrilling to see Schwarzenegger back into the realm of science fabrication three twelvemonth after the astounding achiever ofThe Terminator .
As a precursor to later works such asThe Hunger Games , The Running Manhad a canny construct that could have gone even further .
Red Sonja is a 1985 fantasy adventure starring Brigitte Nielsen as a warrior seeking revenge against the evil Queen Gedren. With help from Lord Kalidor, Sonja battles mystical forces to recover a powerful relic. The film is based on a character from the Conan universe.
The Running Manwas a fast - pace , futuristic film that walk the fine line of merchandise between acute action and ego - aware parody as , after being incorrectly fault for the dying of 60 citizenry , Schwarzenegger must become a “ runner ” on the TV game show while being pursued by deathly “ stalkers ” trying to murder him . Asa predecessor to later work such asThe Hunger Games , The Running Manhad a clever concept that could have proceed even further to become truly swell . Although , this just might happen as director Edgar Wright looks set to make his own coming adaption ofThe Running Man(viaDeadline ) , starring Glen Powell .
4Commando (1985)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Colonel John Matrix
ranger is a 1985 action movie asterisk Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Matrix , a retired special force soldier who adjust out to rescue his daughter from a radical of mercenaries . Alyssa Milano , Vernon Wells , Bill Duke , Rae Dawn Chong , and Dan Hedaya brush up out the rest of the cast .
If someone took everything that was great about Arnold Schwarzenegger during the eighties and condensed it down into one movie , they ’d haveCommando . From the vivid , over - the - top activeness , a extremely - skilled , no - gimcrack Hero of Alexandria , and a self - aware brand of sense of humor , Commandowas gross 1980s fun wrapped in a sentimental story about a Father-God who will stop at nothing to save his snatch girl . Schwarzenegger played Matrix , a former Special Forces colonel being blackmailed into carrying out a political assassination by his former subordinate .
In a thrilling journey that saw Matrix jumping from planes , in outrageous car chases , and leaving a whole host of bodies in his wake , Commandowas packed with cheesy one - liners and had just about everyone a watcher could want out of a Schwarzenegger flick . While it ’s genuine the plotline was report thinly , this really did n’t count as it provided Matrix with the perfect motivation to ruthlessly take out his adversaries . Commandohad a serious influence on the action pic genreand inspired later picture such asStrike Commando , Commando Squad , andWhen Eagles Strike .
3Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Conan The Barbarian is a 1982 fantasy film directed by John Milius , star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character . The pic follows Conan , a warrior seeking vengeance for his parents ' last at the hands of the sorcerer Thulsa Doom , depict by James Earl Jones . jell in a mythic prehistoric age , Conan ’s journeying embrace battles , mysterious creature , and his evolution from a slave to a Italian sandwich .
While Arnold Schwarzenegger had already made a name for himself as the seven - meter bodybuilding champion Mr. Olympia and had broken into acting withHercules in New YorkandThe Villain , Conan the Barbariantruly signal his potentiality as a major movie virtuoso . This larger-than-life phantasy dangerous undertaking about a barbarian warrior seeking payback for his parent ’ decease was a major success at the box role that , despite disconfirming review , struck a chord with viewers . Until its winner was outdo byThe Lord of the Rings , Conan the Barbarianstood as the benchmark by which all other sword - and - black art moving-picture show were compared .
Conan the Barbarianwas a brutal and uncompromising fantasy plastic film that was secure to embrace quieter moments in favour of worldbuilding . With longsighted stretches without action successiveness concenter on build humour and suspense , Conan the Barbariandiffered from much of Arnold Schwarzenegger ’s other action moving picture during the 1980s . However , this was also part of its appealingness as interview find Conan explore the dark undercurrent of his magical world and the putting to death - or - be - killed mentality of the threatening thief , warriors , and wizards he play .
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the king of pithy one - liner , so here is a leaning of his all - sentence best action movie quotation mark , ranked .
2Predator (1987)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major Dutch Schaefer
A team of elite commandos led by Major Dutch Schaefer is sent on a rescue mission deep in the Central American jungle . However , they presently recover themselves trace by an extraterrestrial warrior with advanced technology and a penchant for pick up human trophies . As the creature picks them off one by one , Dutch must rely on his wits and combat skill to outlast the ultimate test of man versus alien.
As the inception of a major picture dealership , the firstPredatorhad everything going for it and pulled off one of the best sci - fi action picture show of the 1980s . Not only didPredatorboast Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his celebrity , but he was also paired with the olympian Carl Weathers , and thefutureDie Harddirector John McTiernan was at the helm . Take all these panorama together , throw in a truly terrifying alien creature whose only mission was to track down and prey , and the final result was a genuine action pic classic .
Schwarzenegger stand out as the Vietnam War veteran Dutch Schaefer , whose one - lining “ get to the choppa ” might just be the only catch phrase in his impressive filmography that can compete withThe Terminator’s“I’ll be back . ”Predator’sjungle setting , unequalled monster , and strong , simple characterization made this a no - nonsense action bash strike that ticked all the right box . With a beloved legacy that mean the enfranchisement has continued to this mean solar day , Predatorwas aright up there with the best activity Schwarzenegger picture show , regardless of the decennary they were made .
Conan the Destroyer is a fantasy action film directed by Richard Fleischer. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character, the film follows Conan on a quest to retrieve a magical artifact, aided by a motley crew of allies. This sequel to Conan the Barbarian, released in 1982, continues the adventures of the iconic sword-wielding hero in a mystical world of peril and sorcery.
1The Terminator (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator
The Terminator , aim by James Cameron and released in 1984 , feature a cyborg assassin sent back in time to eliminate Sarah Connor , the female parent of a future resistance drawing card . As the relentless machine pursues its mission , a human warrior is send to protect her and secure humanity ’s survival .
There was only ever pop off to be one solvent when it came to Arnold Schwarzenegger ’s greatest military action movies of the 1980s , and that was his definitive use in James Cameron’sThe Terminator . As the unstoppable killing simple machine sent to the past times to kill the deliverer of the futurity , Schwarzenegger will always be associated with the T-800 cybernetic being he first played in 1984 , and as has reprize in different iterations over the subsequent decades . The Terminatorwas the perfect sci - fi movie , as it fetch together intense natural action and social review article and was filled to the lip with unique and exciting construct .
The Terminatorbecame the perfect vehicle for Schwarzenegger ’s meteoric rise to stardom .
For how greatThe Terminatoralready was on newspaper , it would not have been nearly as successful without Schwarzenegger , as his iconic imagery of a sunglasses - endure , AR-18 rifle - manage , overbearing murder auto made him an integral part of cinematic history . Mix this with screaming one - liners and an intense cyberpunk style , andThe Terminatorbecame the perfect vehicle forArnold Schwarzenegger’smeteoric rise to stardom . It truly never set out any better than this , and it ’s a testament to its quality thatThe Terminatorholds up perfectly four decade later .
root : Xfinity , Deadline
Raw Deal features Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mark Kaminsky, a former FBI agent who becomes the sheriff of a small North Carolina town after being dismissed for misconduct. He is recruited by FBI Chief Harry Shannon to infiltrate and dismantle a mob organization led by the notorious Patrovina, in exchange for reinstatement.
Ivan Danko is a tough Russian cop who is forced to work alongside extrovert detective Art Ridzik. The pair investigate a major international criminal involved in drug trafficking who has fled Russia for the United States.
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser, The Running Man is a sci-fi action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Ben Richards, a former cop who’s forced to compete in a deadly game show where criminals fight for their lives. The 1987 movie is based on a Stephen King novel under his pen name Richard Bachman.
Commando is a 1985 action movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Matrix, a retired special forces soldier who sets out to rescue his daughter from a group of mercenaries. Alyssa Milano, Vernon Wells, Bill Duke, Rae Dawn Chong, and Dan Hedaya round out the rest of the cast.
Conan The Barbarian is a 1982 fantasy film directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character. The film follows Conan, a warrior seeking vengeance for his parents' death at the hands of the sorcerer Thulsa Doom, portrayed by James Earl Jones. Set in a mythical prehistoric age, Conan’s journey encompasses battles, mystical creatures, and his evolution from a slave to a hero.
A team of elite commandos led by Major Dutch Schaefer is sent on a rescue mission deep in the Central American jungle. However, they soon find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior with advanced technology and a penchant for collecting human trophies. As the creature picks them off one by one, Dutch must rely on his wits and combat skills to survive the ultimate test of man versus alien.
The Terminator, directed by James Cameron and released in 1984, features a cyborg assassin sent back in time to eliminate Sarah Connor, the mother of a future resistance leader. As the relentless machine pursues its mission, a human warrior is sent to protect her and secure humanity’s survival.
