The Comedy That Made Schwarzenegger a Fortune Is Finally Hitting Netflix

The 1988 comedy Twins, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, is coming to Netflix next month, giving fans old and new a chance to see one of the strangest success stories in Hollywood history.

Schwarzenegger plays Julius, a genetically perfect man, while DeVito is his street-smart fraternal twin brother, Vincent. The two were separated at birth, and the movie focuses on their unexpected reunion and contrasting personalities.

Despite mixed reviews when it first came out, Twins became the most financially successful film of Schwarzenegger’s career.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 43% approval rating, with critics noting that while the premise is fun, the story doesn’t fully deliver. Metacritic scores it 53 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. CinemaScore, however, shows audiences enjoyed it, giving it an “A−” grade.

What really set Twins apart financially was its unconventional pay deal. Instead of a standard salary, Schwarzenegger, DeVito, and director Ivan Reitman agreed to take part ownership of the movie.

Together, they received 40% of the film’s profits, resulting in Schwarzenegger earning over $40 million. He confirmed the figure during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, telling Cohen, “It was more than any movie I ever made.”

Directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, Twins was also the first collaboration between him and Schwarzenegger. The movie went on to gross $216 million worldwide, proving that a quirky idea paired with smart business decisions can turn into huge success—even if critics were skeptical.

For fans of Schwarzenegger, DeVito, or just offbeat comedies, Netflix’s upcoming release of Twins is a chance to revisit a movie that blends oddball humor with surprisingly big box office results.

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