All 34 Arnold Schwarzenegger movies ranked from worst to best

11. Conan The Barbarian

Whenever audiences think of the role that changed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life and career, two come to mind. The most obvious choice is The Terminator, as that catapulted him into superstardom. However, the other opened that door for him, made him a movie star, and kickstarted a legendary career as an action hero. That role was as Conan The Barbarian.

Conan The Barbarian was released to movie theaters in 1982, becoming something of an unexpected success as it almost made four times what it cost. It’s a real fantasy that almost felt out of place in the ’80s, but there is a real charm in how it all came together. Schwarzenegger is commanding in the title role, and the maturity of its script makes it an immersive watch – something that its sequel never quite got right. It’s also quite the visual marvel, and it’s easy to see why this was the role that changed things for The Austrian Oak’s career.

There’s a reason that Schwarzenegger is still so closely associated with the role four decades on. He made history with it, and he did it so well that, 40 years later, we’re still hoping for that third and final outing. Maybe someday King Conan will finally happen.