Arnold Schwarzenegger ruled the 1980s action movie scene, embodying the decade’s affection for grandiose spectacle, bulging biceps, and, inevitably, explosions. His films from this era are filled with chaotic blazes, as Arnie’s characters mowed down adversaries with witty remarks and fireworks. However, not every action movie he starred in during the 1980s was equally packed with explosive chaos.
I’ve organized Schwarzenegger’s ’80s action movies (excluding comedies like “Twins”) based on their impressive use of explosions. From fantasy to sci-fi, these films highlight Arnold Schwarzenegger’s talent for causing destruction. Each movie delves into the explosive scenes, why they are effective, and how they compare. Let’s ignite the fuse and rank the chaos in descending order.
8. Red Sonja (1985)
In this fantasy journey, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes on the role of Kalidor, a battle-hardened warrior who joins Brigitte Nielsen’s character, Red Sonja, in their quest for vengeance. Unlike many modern action films, this tale emphasizes hand-to-hand combat with swords rather than gun battles, resulting in fewer explosive scenes.
In this rephrased version: The action scenes involving magical items and castle battles in this movie have some small, underwhelming explosions compared to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s other films. With only a 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes and even Arnold himself calling it his worst film, the disappointing fireworks align with the movie’s cheesy atmosphere. In short, it falls flat in the action department.
7. Conan the Destroyer (1984)
In the next chapter of “Conan the Barbarian,” Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character sets out to recover a mystical horn. Unlike the first film directed by Richard Fleischer, this sequel has a more playful and exaggerated tone, with less emphasis on intense explosions compared to its predecessor.
During mystical ceremonies and a grand temple confrontation, some intense moments occur, but they’re fewer and less impactful than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action-packed movies. The 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes indicates its lower level of importance, and the explosions seem almost secondary in this story about sword fighting.
6. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
In his debut performance as Conan, under the guidance of director John Milius, Schwarzenegger stars in an intense, mythical tale centered around seeking retribution from a sinister cult of serpents. While not overly reliant on explosions, they do make a significant appearance during pivotal scenes.
Fireworks and explosives enhance the illumination of village attacks and the climactic battle, lending an elegant touch to the violent sword fights. Despite a 66% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the film’s appeal lies more in its epic ambiance rather than the number of explosions, making it less bombastic on this list of action flicks.
5. Raw Deal (1986)
In this hard-boiled drama, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes on the role of Sheriff Mark Kaminski, who goes undercover within the Chicago mafia. Despite a lower emphasis on big blasts compared to gunfights, the film manages to create an intense atmosphere of fiery turmoil.
In this movie, you’ll find scenes with car pursuits and gunfights that have relatively small explosions, such as vehicles exploding and a grand explosion in the finale at a warehouse. The film’s 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggests its familiar feel, and although the action is well-executed, the explosions aren’t as memorable as those in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s more spectacular films.
4. Red Heat (1988)
In this action movie reminiscent of a partner-police duo, Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays a rigid Soviet officer named Ivan Danko. He partners with Jim Belushi to track down a notorious drug lord in the city of Chicago. Walter Hill skillfully guides us through an intense, culturally-blended suspense story.
As a cinephile, I found myself immersed in a high-octane spectacle where deafening explosions accentuated nail-biting car chases and an intense bus vs showdown. A significant factory explosion even added a touch of scorching intensity to the mix. With a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s not perfect, but it delivers a balanced blend of character conflicts and grand pyrotechnics, keeping things engaging without overwhelming. And let me tell you, when those blasts go off, they really pack a wallop!
3. The Running Man (1987)
In a dystopian setting, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Ben Richards, who was falsely accused and convicted of being a cop, battles to stay alive in a high-stakes game show. The director of this futuristic action thriller is Paul Michael Glaser, and the film significantly increases the level of explosive tension.
1. The setting is filled with flaming hazards, car blasts, and an intense climax that sees the entire studio ablaze. Despite its 66% Rotten Tomatoes score, it has a cult following, and its frequent, eye-catching explosions solidify its place among Arnie’s ’80s collection.
2. The scene is strewn with fiery pitfalls, vehicle detonations, culminating in a wild conclusion where the studio burns down. Its 66% Rotten Tomatoes rating suggests it has cult value, and the frequent, flashy explosions make it a formidable choice from Arnie’s ’80s inventory.
3. The area is dotted with flaming perils, vehicle blasts, leading to a chaotic end where the studio is engulfed in flames. Its 66% Rotten Tomatoes score hints at its cult popularity, and the numerous, spectacular explosions position it as a notable addition to Arnie’s ’80s catalog.
4. The landscape is peppered with fiery pitfalls, vehicle blasts, resulting in a frenzied finale where the studio burns down. Its 66% Rotten Tomatoes rating underscores its cult status, and the frequent, eye-catching explosions give it a strong position in Arnie’s ’80s collection.
5. The backdrop is scattered with flaming obstacles, car blasts, ending in a tumultuous finale where the studio goes up in flames. Its 66% Rotten Tomatoes score highlights its cult appeal, and the frequent, flashy explosions make it a powerful choice from Arnie’s ’80s lineup.
2. Predator (1987)
Under the guidance of director John McTiernan, the movie titled “Predator” places Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, Dutch, against a ruthless alien predator in a gruesome jungle battlefield. The film’s thrilling instances are renowned for their intensity and unforgiving nature.
As a cinephile, I must say that the explosive action scenes in this movie are nothing short of extraordinary. From the intense grenade battles to the colossal self-destruct blast that reduces entire swaths of jungle to rubble, the pyrotechnics leave an indelible mark. With an impressive 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a genre staple that deserves a place in every action movie enthusiast’s collection, and the iconic line “Get to the chopper!” from none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger is the cherry on top.
1. Commando (1985)
In this classic movie directed by Mark L. Lester, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the former Special Forces Colonel John Matrix, takes brutal action to rescue his abducted child. It’s an unparalleled display of explosive chaos.
The movie’s finale showcases an extravagant destruction of a mansion using grenades, rocket launchers, and C4, resulting in more than 70 deaths and numerous explosions. Cars, sheds, and enemy strongholds explode into fiery spectacles. This earned it a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its ’80s over-the-top action. It’s Arnold Schwarzenegger at the epitome of explosive chaos, setting the benchmark for action-packed mayhem.
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2025-06-13 00:45