Given that Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger rose to prominence thanks to his victories in the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia contests, it should come as no surprise that his astonishing movie career is littered with the heaviest of lifters. With a physique almost as iconic as his unforgettable one-liners, the Austrian Oak muscled out all competition and cemented himself as arguably the greatest action icon of all time.
There are a plethora of musclemen to choose from when it comes to Schwarzenegger's big-screen beefcakes, but determining the strongest of them all is another matter entirely. As fascinating as a deadlifting competition between them would surely be, it's just as exciting to sift through the legend's filmography and examine the on-screen exploits for the answer to who ultimately is Arnold Schwarzenegger's strongest character.
10 Howard Langston From Jingle All The Way Is A Holiday Hunk
Any fan of Jingle All the Way knows all about the caliber of strength needed to convincingly portray the superhero Turboman. Howard Langston is powerful enough to knock out a reindeer with a single blow and strong enough to get the best of the mighty Sinbad during an unruly shopping trip.
The inattentive father is far from Schwarzenegger's most terrifying character, but in Jingle All the Way, his biceps are as impressive as ever. He didn't bench press his way out of trouble in this Christmas movie, but he certainly could have if he wanted to.
9 In School Or On The Streets, Detective John Kimble Lays Down The Law
Even though he's the party pooper that's packed with enough power to take down all manner of bad guys, Detective John Kimble struggles under the imposing weight of the education of a class of knee-high, extra-inquisitive children.
He still makes for one formidable foe, so any delinquents would be wise to get on to the carpet whenever Mr. Kimble tells them to. This Kindergarten Cop is undoubtedly a hero, but he rarely displays a penchant for lifting much other than his pistol or his ferret.
8 Detective Jack Slater From Last Action Hero Certainly Fits The Billing
The real world may not lend itself quite as well to Jack Slater's skill set, as he finds out rather devastatingly in Last Action Hero, but even with that in mind, this parody powerhouse is no slouch when it comes to his strength.
In a hilariously meta twist, Schwarzenegger also plays himself in Last Action Hero, and where the man behind the movie star would rank amongst his film fellows is likely an investigation that would lead to one circle after another and ultimately prove pointless.
7 Douglas Quaid From Total Recall Is Mars' Muscliest Man
A man with grand visions of a life far different from his own, the only aspect he was likely truly happy with was his musclebound physique. Douglas Quaid has ample opportunities to show off his strength during his mission to Mars in Total Recall.
Honorable with his intent but not quite as physically imposing as some of Arnie's classic characters, the only place Quaid lays claim to the strongest of all is in his dreams. Though he likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway.
6 Julius Benedict From Twins Is A Test Tube Titan
The twin that got all the wins, Julius Benedict was selectively bred using the genes of six fathers with the hope of creating the perfect child. The result wasn't far off, of course, Julius' physique is up there with the best in the universe, and his sharp intellect and jaw-dropping athleticism make him a friend most would be glad to call their own.
He can lift a car and keep his considerably smaller twin Vincent safe from all manner of hazards. Julius Benedict has mountains of muscles, and they're only just about big enough to match the size of his heart of gold.
5 Dutch Schaefer From Predator Is The Ultimate Soldier
Uprooting the jungle, taking mud baths, and battling an utterly terrifying alien presence are all seemingly preferable pastimes for Dutch Schaefer. Predator's hero is one of Schwarzenegger's most iconic personas, and the fact that he managed to defeat the perfect hunter in a one-on-one battle ranks him as one of the deadliest to grace the big screen.
Even amongst the rippling brutes of his elite paramilitary team, which includes the hefty hunks Carl Weathers and former WWE star Jesse Ventura, Dutch stands out as the biggest and baddest brawler of them all.
4 Colonel John Matrix From Commando Is All About The Biceps & Bazookas
The biceps and the body count don't get much bigger throughout Schwarzenegger's career than in the explosive action classic Commando. Colonel John Matrix is a master wordsmith, weapons expert, and judging by the size of the bazooka he carries in the film, one of Arnie's strongest movie characters.
Undoubtedly heroic and utterly unstoppable, Commando sees this Colonel mow down enemies like he's shooting fish in a barrel. Luckily, none of Schwarzenegger's other roles are Green Berets, as let's not forget, John Matrix eats those army aces for breakfast.
3 When It Concerns Strength, The T-800 From The Terminator Franchise Is A Literal Machine
Arnie's most iconic character is undoubtedly the one you'd least like to meet down a dark alley. The Terminator has made short work of the majority of its human enemies and even managed to topple a couple of its own kind. Whichever installment in the mind-bending franchise you look at, Schwarzenegger's machine man ends up as the top dog.
Literally built with the sole purpose of terminating enemies, the T-800 has the strength to break a human in half and bend steel at will. The Cyberdyne series models may be near unstoppable, but sadly for John Connor's protector, they're no match for a literal god.
2 Hercules From Hercules In New York Lives Up To The Lifting Legend
The sour grape of the bunch that is Arnie's legendary filmography, Hercules in New York may well be his worst ever film, yet a viewing today mostly offers up a hilarious look at a young, inexperienced Schwarzenegger doing his best with the shoddy material he's been given.
Hercules is half-god and possesses superhuman strength, giving him the edge over any cyborgs, and in this movie, he shows off his awe-inspiring muscles by winning a fight against a bear with tremendous ease. An impressive feat for sure, even if it is very clearly a man dressed in a bear costume you'd expect to find at your local Halloween store.
1 Conan The Barbarian From The Conan Series Has Superhero Levels Of Strength
The epic sword swinger's feats of strength are the stuff of legend, to the point that some tales even border on ridiculous. Whether he's destroying or simply being a Barbarian, Conan is an absolute monster when it comes to his physical prowess and pure power.
Few of Arnold Schwarzenegger's characters would even manage to lift Conan's legendary sword. This warrior is fearless, with a frightful level of skill when it comes to combat, but his most awe-inspiring quality is his inhuman strength.
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