Arnold Schwarzenegger is an action movie legend and icon, but he loves movies too, and here's his six favorite of all time, including sci-fi. Of all the popular art forms, perhaps none is as widely beloved as the motion picture. Just about everyone likes some type of movie, and most people enjoy an array of genres. This isn't any different for those who star in movies, as while they may not enjoy watching their own work, chances are they have their own list of treasured favorites.
Schwarzenegger, now in his 70s, is primarily known for his action work, starring in the likes of Commando and True Lies, although his action movies often intersect with the sci-fi realm. The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Total Recall, and Predator are all certified classics when it comes to blends of sci-fi and action, and many would argue no one has done better within the combined genre than the former California governor.
Unsurprisingly though, just because that's primarily what Schwarzenegger is known for starring in, doesn't mean that's all he likes. As part of a 2017 chat with Rotten Tomatoes, the Austrian Oak revealed his six favorite movies, covering several different genres, including two sci-fi picks. There's even a musical among the lot, although it sadly doesn't involve dancing aliens or crooning cyborgs.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Arnold Schwarzenegger's first favorite movie pick is E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, director Steven Spielberg's sci-fi/fantasy classic that was a huge hit at the time, and has been delighting audiences for nearly 40 years. Schwarzenegger enjoyed how E.T. presented humans from the point of view of the titular alien, and also made humanity the bad guys. He also appreciated how Spielberg crafted a film that just about anyone could enjoy, regardless of age, gender, or other differences. Few would disagree with Schwarzenegger's positive assessment, as E.T. remains beloved, despite never getting a proper sequel. At this point though, a sequel would probably just risk ruining things. Oddly, Schwarzenegger and Spielberg have never worked together, although that could certainly change.
Titanic (1997)
Directed by James Cameron, Titanic held the record of the highest-grossing movie ever for over a decade, until Cameron's own Avatar broke it in 2009. An epic blend of romantic drama and harrowing disaster movie, Titanic remains one of the most popular films of all time, and also boasts one of the most memorable soundtrack songs in Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On." Schwarzenegger loves just about everything Titanic offers, from the more personal dramatic elements, to the breathtaking visual effects that capture the titular ship's infamous sinking. Of course, it's not too surprising that he's a fan, as while he wasn't involved with Titanic, Schwarzenegger is both a frequent collaborator with and close friend of Cameron, and thus it can be assumed he keeps tabs on his work.
The Godfather (1972)
Schwarzenegger is definitely far from alone in loving director Francis Ford Coppola's Oscar-winning mafia epic The Godfather, and for good reason, as the film still holds up nearly 50 years after release. Based on Mario Puzo's novel, The Godfather looks at the final days of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) as Don of his organized crime family, and the rise of his son Michael (Al Pacino) as heir to the throne. Schwarzenegger loves how The Godfather blends developed characters and a fleshed-out story with thrilling action scenes. While most likely wouldn't categorize The Godfather as an action film, there's definitely a lot of graphic violence and gunplay to go around, fitting the dark world of organized crime. It would appear that Schwarzenegger isn't part of the subset of fans that believes The Godfather Part 2 to be the better movie.
Westworld (1973)
Schwarzenegger's most straight-up sci-fi movie pick is Westworld, written and directed by Michael Crichton. Schwarzenegger cites an interesting personal reason for his attachment to Westworld, as he says watching Yul Brynner playing the central man-esque machine was the primary reason he became interested in starring in The Terminator. Schwarzenegger was fascinated by Brynner's subtle machine mannerisms and other little hints that he wasn't human before the reveal was made, and it's since been said that one of the reasons James Cameron agreed to cast the actor as the T-800 was the actor's insistence that he didn't just want to "play" a machine, he wanted to become fully convincing as one. Obviously, that venture really worked out well for Schwarzenegger, giving him arguably his most famous role, and one he's played five times so far.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Finding out that Arnold Schwarzenegger - arguably the "manliest" action star to ever grace the screen - enjoys a good musical will likely surprise many, but like most people, his tastes aren't strictly limited to certain genres of media. While Schwarzenegger doesn't seek musicals out, he does appreciate a musical done well, and his favorite is The Sound of Music. He has a personal reason for liking it as much as he does too, as the film is set - and was shot in and around - Schwarzenegger's homeland of Austria. On a side note, Schwarzenegger also enjoyed 2016's La La Land, which he cited as a recent example of a musical favorite. La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, of course infamously and quite awkwardly "won" the Best Picture Oscar before it was revealed that Moonlight had actually won the award.
Unforgiven (1992)
To round out his six favorite movie picks, Arnold Schwarzenegger chose Unforgiven, Clint Eastwood's - who both directed and starred - Oscar-winning modern western. Eastwood plays Bill Munny, an aging retired gunslinger who agrees to take on one last job. Fellow heavyweights Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris co-star in Unforgiven. Schwarzenegger says Eastwood was an idol of his even before the musclebound Austrian made his way to the U.S., and embarked on his own ascent to Hollywood superstardom. Schwarzenegger is a longtime fan of Eastwood's westerns, and his body of work as a whole. Schwarzenegger would get the chance to meet and befriend Eastwood later, but oddly enough, the two icons have never worked together on a movie. Both are still active though, so it certainly could still happen.