All 8 Arnold Schwarzenegger ’80s Action Movies Ranked by Explosions

Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated the 1980s action scene, embodying the era’s love for over-the-top spectacle, massive muscles, and, of course, explosions. His films from this decade are packed with fiery chaos, as Arnie’s characters mowed down enemies with one-liners and pyrotechnics. But not all his action flicks delivered the same level of explosive mayhem.

I’ve ranked all eight of Schwarzenegger’s ’80s action movies—excluding his comedies like Twins—based on the sheer volume, scale, and impact of their explosions. From fantasy epics to sci-fi thrillers, these films showcase the Austrian Oak’s knack for blowing things up. Each entry dives into the explosive moments, why they work, and how they stack up. Let’s light the fuse and count down the carnage.

8. Red Sonja (1985)

Schwarzenegger plays Kalidor, a warrior aiding Brigitte Nielsen’s Red Sonja in a sword-and-sorcery quest for revenge. This fantasy adventure leans more on blade fights than modern weaponry, so explosions are minimal.

A few fiery bursts accompany magical artifacts and castle battles, but they’re small and lack the bombast of Arnie’s other films. With a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score and Schwarzenegger himself calling it his worst film, the lackluster explosions match the film’s campy vibe. It’s a dud in the blast department.

7. Conan the Destroyer (1984)

The sequel to Conan the Barbarian sees Schwarzenegger’s Conan on a quest to retrieve a magical horn. Directed by Richard Fleischer, it’s lighter and campier than the original, with fewer explosions to match.

Some fiery effects pop up during mystical rituals and a climactic temple showdown, but they’re sparse and low-impact compared to Arnie’s gun-heavy flicks. The 25% Rotten Tomatoes rating reflects its weaker stakes, and the explosions feel like an afterthought in this sword-swinging tale.

6. Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Schwarzenegger’s breakout role as Conan, directed by John Milius, is a gritty fantasy epic about vengeance against a snake cult. Explosions aren’t the focus, but they do show up in key moments.

Fireballs and pyrotechnic traps light up village raids and the final battle, adding flair to the brutal swordplay. With a 66% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film’s strength is its mythic vibe, not its blast count, keeping it low on this explosive list.

5. Raw Deal (1986)

Schwarzenegger stars as Mark Kaminski, a sheriff infiltrating a Chicago mob. This gritty thriller has more gunfire than massive explosions, but it still delivers some fiery chaos.

Car chases and shootouts feature modest explosions, like vehicles blowing up and a warehouse detonation in the climax. The film’s 25% Rotten Tomatoes score shows its generic vibe, and while the action is solid, the explosions are forgettable compared to Arnie’s bigger spectacles.

4. Red Heat (1988)

In this buddy-cop flick, Schwarzenegger plays a stoic Soviet officer, Ivan Danko, teaming with Jim Belushi to hunt a drug lord in Chicago. Walter Hill directs a gritty, East-meets-West thriller.

Explosions punctuate car chases and a bus crash showdown, with a notable factory blast adding some heat. With a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s decent but restrained, as the focus is on character clashes over massive pyrotechnics. Still, the blasts pack a punch when they hit.

3. The Running Man (1987)

Schwarzenegger’s Ben Richards, a wrongly convicted cop, fights for survival in a dystopian game show. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser, this sci-fi actioner ramps up the explosive stakes.

The arena is littered with fiery traps, vehicle explosions, and a chaotic finale where the studio goes up in flames. Its 66% Rotten Tomatoes rating reflects its cult appeal, and the frequent, flashy explosions make it a strong contender in Arnie’s ’80s arsenal.

2. Predator (1987)

Directed by John McTiernan, Predator pits Schwarzenegger’s Dutch against an alien hunter in a jungle bloodbath. The film’s explosive moments are iconic and relentless.

From grenade-tossed firefights to the Predator’s self-destruct blast that levels acres of jungle, the explosions are massive and memorable. With an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a genre classic, and its pyrotechnic mayhem—capped by Arnie’s “Get to the chopper!”—earns it a high spot.

1. Commando (1985)

Schwarzenegger’s John Matrix, a retired Special Forces colonel, unleashes hell to save his kidnapped daughter in this Mark L. Lester-directed classic. It’s the ultimate explosion-fest.

The film’s climax alone features a mansion obliterated by grenades, rocket launchers, and C4, with over 70 kills and countless blasts. Cars, sheds, and enemy bases erupt in fiery glory, earning a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score for pure ’80s excess. It’s Arnie at his explosive peak, the gold standard of action carnage.

Which of these Schwarzenegger explosion-fests is your favorite, or did I miss a blast worth mentioning? Share your thoughts in the comments!