Entering the world of film in a leading role, Schwarzenegger portrayed the mythic Greek hero sent to earth to to find true love and start a career in bodybuilding. When released, Schwarzenegger's name was shortened to "Arnold Strong" and all of his lines were dubbed by another actor (since restored). Despite cult status, it is often considered one of the worst films ever made.

A young woman (Ann-Marget, "Grumpy Old Men") is escorted by the cowboy Handsome Stranger (Schwarzenegger) as she travels to claim money willed to her; the pair are frequently inconvenienced by a villainous but incompetent gun-for-hire Cactus Jack (Kirk Douglas, "Spartacus"). Directed by Hal Needham ("Smokey and the Bandit").

Schwarzenegger stepped into the mainstream spotlight as the near-stoic, musclebound hero of Robert Howard's "Conan" comics. Co-starring James Earl Jones ("The Great White Hope"), Max von Sydow ("Minority Report"), and Sandahl Bergman ("Red Sonja"), the film made over $68 million and is often considered one of the best "sword & sorcery" films ever made.

Gaining true Hollywood fame as an unstoppable cyborg, Schwarzenegger played the titular role in what is often considered one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. Also starring Michael Biehn ("Aliens") and Linda Hamilton ("Beauty and the Beast"), "Terminator" made a worldwide $78 million, has been recognized by the Library of Congress, and gained Schwarzenegger international fame.

John Matrix (Schwarzenegger) is a retired commando who has only a few hours to rescue his daughter from an exiled dictator (Dan Hedaya, "NYPD Blue"). Also stars Rae Chong ("Crying Freeman"). The film grossed $57 million and initiated Schwarzenegger's status of "action hero". Also, the film's combination of action and humor largely serves as a template for future Schwarzenegger movies.

A classic for Schwarzenegger and the action/sci-fi genre as a whole: the oft-venerated story of a team of commandos being hunted by an extraterrestrial hunter grossed a worlwide $100 million, inspired an entire franchise of movies, comics, and more (for which Schwarzenegger would not return), and served as the rise-to-fame of one of the most unique monsters ever created for film.

To track a notorious drug dealer, no-nonsense Russian policeman Ivan Danko (Schwarzenegger) travels to the United States, where he is paired with a goofball of a partner in Art Ridzik (James Belushi, "According to Jim"). Co-stars Ed O'Ross ("Full Metal Jacket"). Directed by Walter Hill ("The Warriors"). Reportedly, Schwarzenegger spent three months learning to speak Russian for his role.

At the time of its release, the sci-fi adventure of a man who applies for a memory transplant (Schwarzenegger) only to have his entire world come crashing down on him was the most expensive Hollywood film ever made, costing $65 million. The budget paid off: the film made over $261 million and was nominated for two Oscars. Co-stars Rachel Ticotin ("Con Air").

Schwarzenegger's most successful film: the sequel to the original blockbuster grossed nearly $520 million and co-starred Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong ("American History X"), and Robert Patrick ("The X-Files"). Considered by many one of the greatest action films ever made, “T2” featured a breakthrough in computer graphics and is arguably the pinnacle of Schwarzenegger’s career.

When secret agent Harry Tasker (Schwarzenegger) learns of his wife's (Jamie Curtis, "Freaky Friday") affair, he pursues her and uses intelligence resources from the job he kept secret from her. Directed by James Cameron ("Aliens", "Titanic"). Considered a return to form for Schwarzenegger, the film grossed over $378 million (more than three times its budget) and was nominated for an Oscar.

When his co-workers within a witness protection program start dealing in a case of high-powered weapons, John "Eraser" Kruger (Schwarzenegger) finds his life endangered when he finds out too much. Also stars James Caan ("Misery"). Though the film grossed over $234 million, its $100 million budget is largely due to several scenes being prepared but never shot because of changes to the script.

Playing a villain for the first time since "Terminator", Schwarzenegger donned the armor of Mr. Freeze and took on Batman (George Clooney, "Michael Clayton") and Robin (Chris O'Donnell, "Scent of a Woman") alongside Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman, "Kill Bill"). The movie was bashed by critics and fans for taking the franchise in ridiculous directions; it is often considered the worst "Batman" film ever.

When family man Adam Gibson (Schwarzenegger) is cloned against his knowledge and against his will, his clone replaces him at work and at home, forcing him to fight for his life and stop the secret operation behind the cloning. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode ("48 Hrs.") Though the film made over $96 million, its overall profit was only about $14 million due to its high budget.

The third installment of the series saw the return of Schwarzenegger as the cyborg alongside Nick Stahl ("The Man without a Face"), Claire Danes ("My So-Called Life"), and Kristanna Loken ("Painkiller Jane"). Released shortly before Schwarzenegger's ascent into politics, he ended his active career on a high note: despite mixed reviews, the film made $433 million and aided his campaign popularity.