Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Box Office Smashes!
Today, we’re throwing a spotlight on one of the biggest action stars ever to grace the silver screen – the ‘Terminator’ himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Let’s dive into Arnie’s biggest hits, the ones that really ‘terminated’ it at the box office.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
In the realm of action movie sequels, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is king. Grossing an impressive $520 million worldwide upon its release, it was a record-breaking hit. When we adjust this for inflation, that number rises to an astronomical $1.1 billion.
Directed by James Cameron, this film saw Arnie reprising his role as the intimidating T-800, this time reprogrammed to protect young John Connor. Its groundbreaking CGI, high-stakes action sequences, and Arnie’s unforgettable line, “Hasta la vista, baby,” have etched this movie into the annals of cinematic history.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
A dozen years later, Schwarzenegger was back (he did promise, after all) in “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” which pulled in $433 million.
It wasn’t quite the blockbuster hit its predecessor was, but it’s worth noting that Arnie was still a box office draw in the early 2000s. The movie followed John Connor, now an adult, fighting against an advanced female terminator model sent from the future.
True Lies (1994)
In between ‘Terminator’ gigs, Arnie had time for “True Lies,” a James Cameron-directed action-comedy that netted $378 million worldwide.
Schwarzenegger stars as a secret spy living a double life, unbeknownst to his wife (played by Jamie Lee Curtis). Combining high-octane action sequences with clever comedy, this film showcases Arnie’s versatility as an actor.
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Terminator: Genisys (2015)
Fast forward to 2015, and Arnie returned to the Terminator universe once again with “Terminator: Genisys,” racking up $440 million globally.
In this entry, the timeline gets a reset, leading to an alternate version of the original 1984 film. Although it received mixed reviews, fans still flocked to the theaters to see Arnie reprise his most famous role.
Total Recall (1990)
Arnie’s sci-fi flick “Total Recall” hauled in $261 million back in 1990. The movie features Arnie as a construction worker who begins to suspect he’s a spy after receiving a memory implant.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, this mind-bending sci-fi thriller offered a different take on Arnie’s usual action fare, captivating audiences around the globe.
Batman & Robin (1997)
Even superheroes need a little help sometimes. Arnie jumped into the superhero genre, starring as the icy villain Mr. Freeze in “Batman & Robin.”
While the film is often remembered for its campy tone and notorious puns (“Ice to meet you!”), it still managed to gross $238 million worldwide.
Twins (1988)
Trading in his muscular, action hero persona for a dash of comedy, Schwarzenegger partnered with Danny DeVito in “Twins.”
The story of two very different twins separated at birth was an instant hit, with audiences loving the chemistry between Arnie and DeVito. The movie made an impressive $216 million worldwide.
Kindergarten Cop (1990)
With “Kindergarten Cop,” Arnie proved once again he could handle comedy just as well as action.
Playing a tough cop who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher, Schwarzenegger showed off his comedic chops and made us all laugh out loud. The film was a commercial success, grossing $202 million worldwide.
The Expendables 2 (2012)
Schwarzenegger teamed up with other action movie legends like Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis in “The Expendables 2.”
Even though he wasn’t the main lead, his presence was still strongly felt and contributed to the film’s success. The movie pulled in a solid $315 million globally.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
In “Terminator: Dark Fate,” Arnie returned to the big screen as the beloved T-800, alongside Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor.
The movie, which was a direct sequel to “Terminator 2,” grossed $261 million worldwide. Despite mixed reviews, fans still turned up in droves to see Arnie back in action.
Last Action Hero (1993)
While “Last Action Hero” might have been a disappointment at the box office initially, it has since found its place as a cult classic.
Playing both an action movie character and the actor who portrays him, Schwarzenegger offered audiences a meta-narrative that ultimately brought in $137 million globally.
