Arnold Schwarzeneggerwas an action iconand one of thebiggest movie stars of the 80sand 90s.

Schwarzenegger would become a box office behemoth for over a decade, starring in consistent blockbusters.

Of his expansive action career,these ten movies are his most essential.

Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Matrix holding a gun in ‘Commando’

Image via 20th Century Studios

The premise involves the two diametrically opposed lawmen tracking down a Georgian drug lord who has fled to America.

Dawson is perfect in the role, andhis ratings-hungry villainy gives the film its best moments of satire.

Unfortunately, the film was released the week afterJurassic Parkand got mediocre reviews from critics.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi stare into the distance with smoke behind them in Red Heat.

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

Commandois Schwarzenegger’s most brutal action filmand delivers the exact kind of explosive 80s carnage that audiences would expect.

It’s a straight-up action movie that delivers exactly what it promises; nothing more, nothing less.

When Harry gets involved,his work life and home life collide together in explosive fashion.

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It was the overwhelming success of this sequel that madeTerminatorone of the most popular sci-fi franchises of all time.

Arnold Schwarzenegger getting shown off in 1987’s The Running Man

Image via TriStar Pictures

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Jack Slater standing near his fake ‘Terminator 2’ poster in ‘Last Action Hero’.

Image via Columbia Pictures

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Image via 20th Century Studios

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Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian wielding a sword and shirtless

Image via Universal Pictures

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Harry (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) embracing in James Cameron’s True Lies (1994).

Image via 20th Century Studios

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The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) shirtless and looking serious in ‘The Terminator’ (1984).

Image via Orion Pictures

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Arnold Schwarzenegger swinging through the air in ‘Total Recall’

Image via TriStar Pictures

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Predator Men Shooting Into Jungle

Image via 20th Century Studios

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John Connor on a motorcycle with the Terminator, who is aiming a rifle at someone off-camera in T2.

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

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Arnold Schwarzenegger