Some of the greatest films of the past few decades have really made a global impact, especially when developed by directors such as James Cameron. James Cameron is known for many exceptional adaptations and storylines. He is considered a master of directing and continues to deliver emotionally-impactful and thought-provoking stories. The most recent movie he directed was Avatar in 2009 which he also wrote, produced, and co-edited.

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The science-fiction epic blew up at the global box office, becoming the second-largest December opening ever and the highest-grossing movie ever until being dethroned by Avengers: Endgame a decade later. Cameron's movies have taken a lot of positive feedback as well as some negative criticism. Let's take a look at some of his directing efforts and how they've ranked on IMDb.

Piranha II: The Spawning (1981) - 3.7

This tragic rating is due to a few complaints from critics and viewers. James Cameron being the director of this film surprises many of his fans as he is well known for his successful and accomplished works. The film Piranha II: The Spawning, however, dropped the ball and is considered the worst production from the Piranha series.

With many reviews claiming bad acting and unbelievable scenes, it's no wonder it scored so low. This is definitely not James Cameron's best work and he has acknowledged it but for viewers who just have an itch to see it, it's worth a peek.

Aliens Of The Deep (2005) - 6.4

The 2005 documentary film, Aliens of the Deep is an interesting look into the mid-ocean ridge to explore unique life-forms that most people never hear about. James Cameron teamed up with scientists from NASA and Russian marine biologists to discover "aliens" in the deepest parts of the ocean.

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It makes sense that James Cameron would take part in this exploration considering that he enjoys creating new worlds with unique creatures in his movies. For viewers interested in science, mystery, marine life, and the undiscovered, this documentary is one that'll stay on your mind for days.

Ghosts Of The Abyss (2003) - 6.8

The documentary Ghosts of the Abyss was released by Walt Disney in 2003 and directed by James Cameron. The documentary follows Cameron and a team of scientists and explorers who sail out to the real Titanic shipwreck to get a closer look at what was once one of the most magnificent ships ever built.

Actor Bill Paxton joins him on this thrilling expedition and adds color to the tone of the movie. For fans of Titanic, this is worth the watch.

True Lies (1994) - 7.2

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis embracing in True Lies

The movie True Lies was directed by James Cameron in 1994 starring The Terminator franchise Star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. This popular action-comedy stars actress Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween) as the wife of a secret agent. The plot is filled with drama and suspense and even some exciting romance.

The story is both hilarious and entertaining with Arnie (Arnold Schwarzenegger) having to save the world from a nuclear bomb attack as well as save his marriage after finding out his wife may be having an affair.

The Abyss (1989) - 7.6

The water-based alien in The Abyss

This science-fiction movie was written and directed by James Cameron and is an adventure story with some aspects of horror involving submarines, the military, a civilian diving team, and the shocking discovery of an aquatic alien species.

The Abyss was nominated for 4 Academy Awards and won for Best Visual Effects. Critics said it was intelligently written with a suspenseful and philosophical story plot in mind.  Scoring at 7.6, this movie is a memorable watch for sci-fi fans.

Titanic (1997) - 7.8

Titanic 1997

The movie Titanic is one of the most globally known films of all time. The worldwide gross was so high it became the first movie to reach the billion-dollar mark. In 1995 James Cameron shot footage of the real Titanic shipwreck and was inspired to create the film. It won record-breaking awards and remains one of the most beloved epic romance-tragedy films of all time.

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The story follows a young man and woman from different sides of society who soon find themselves madly in love against all odds. The die-for-love roles of the couple are played by stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet (starring in Avatar 2). The story is based on the real accounts of the Titanic shipwreck with some alterations of course.

Avatar (2009) - 7.8

Though it scores the same rating as TitanicAvatar in 2009 broke the record for the highest-grossing movie of all time. It is one of James Cameron's most successful works and justly ranks high on this list.

The story depicts a world of science, mystery, wonder, love, and an alien planet being targeted for its resources. Praised for its amazing effects and designs, its success will be followed by Avatar 2, set to be released in the year 2022.

The Terminator (1984) - 8.0

The Terminator in a police station in the 1984 original

The Terminator created a movie franchise that's still going today. Cameron had huge success with this movie and added cultural impact because of its star, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This post-apocalyptic story depicts a cyborg sent from the future to kill the woman destined to have a son who would save humanity against the machines. The movie was extremely successful and James Cameron has credited The Terminator as the project that truly set his career in motion.

Aliens (1986) - 8.3

Actress Sigourney Weaver brought Aliens to life with her talent and amazing ability to carry the audience through her experiences. Scoring 8.3 on IMDb and 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie is packed with action, horror, suspense, and drama.

The Alien franchise has a huge following that endures to this day. As critics have put it, the movie has a detailed premise with characters that quickly connect with the audience and give them a memorable experience living through the eyes of the crew.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) - 8.5

The Terminators at war in Judgment Day

It's not often that the sequel fares better than the original but in the case of The Terminator franchise, that is exactly how it happened. Scoring at 8.5, Terminator 2: Judgement Day gets number one on this list. Released in 1991, James Cameron was able to implement more advanced effects such as the introduction of the terrifying liquid metal terminator.

For fans of the series, the sequel is often thought of as even more impactful and impressive than the first, with returning actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton arguably outdoing themselves.

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