James Cameron


james cameron

James Cameron is one of the biggest names in movies. Over his 42-year career, he has been behind the camera for a number of the most popular, well-made, box-office bonanza-making films in the history of movies. But when you actually break down his career as a director, Cameron has, believe it or not, directed a mere 11 films.

Two of those films were documentaries and one was his very first project, a short film he co-directed. So, we are going to take a look at the other eight films Cameron directed and with the help of our world-famous Giant Freakin Movie Score algorithm, we are going to scientifically rate his movies from best to worst.

ALIENS (1986)

aliens movie ripley

GFR

James Cameron’s top three movies could go in any order, depending on preference. His top two, per the Giant Freakin Robot scoring system, came out with the same exact score. So, flip a coin for your favorite! Aliens is at the top on the list.

This sequel to the 1979 Ridley Scott sci-fi/horror hit Alien brought our hero Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) back for another go at those face-hugging Xenomorphs.

Cameron took what Scott did in the original and upped the scares, gore, suspense, and humor factor ten-fold. The cast included Michael Biehn as Hicks, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, and in many scene-stealing shots, Bill Paxton as Hudson.

The movie had it all and behind Cameron’s deft directing, Aliens is considered one of the best sequels ever made. If you haven’t seen it, and we have no idea why you wouldn’t have, check it out. You will not be disappointed.

THE TERMINATOR (1984)

the terminator james cameron movies

GFR

When The Terminator arrived from the future in 1984, both its director, James Cameron, and star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, were pretty much unknowns. But Cameron immediately made a name for himself upon the movie’s release.

For those of you who do not know the premise of the movie, the story tells of an assassin cyborg or Terminator, who returns from the future to kill a woman, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) who will eventually have a child that will be the savior to stop the machines from taking over in the future.

Schwarzenegger is the killing machine and is opposed by another warrior sent from the future, Kyle Reese (played by Michael Biehn), who is on hand to protect Sarah from the Terminator. This movie could easily be considered Cameron’s best and is by many.

TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY (1991)

terminator 2 arnold

GFR

This is the third movie of James Cameron’s that could be considered his best. It would be hard to argue that point, though somehow it arrives at number three based on our Giant Freakin Robot algorithm. This time Cameron brings Arnie back to hunt down a growing John Connor, who is a teenager in this one. But Arnie is hunting him for a different reason.

This time he is taking Kyle Reese’s place in trying to protect John Connor from another Terminator, a T-1000 model played by Robert Patrick. The T-1000 is extremely badass and relentless.

Linda Hamilton is also back as Sarah Connor. Cameron was able to use more advanced special effects in this one which added to the greatness of the movie. The rapport between Schwarzenegger’s stiff protecting Terminator and John Connor, played by then-newcomer Edward Furlong, added to the humor of the movie but it was the all-out action that captured the imagination.

TITANIC (1997)

titanic james cameron movies

GFR

The question is simple. Why? As in why Rose, why didn’t you make room for Jack on that door? It’s pretty much been the one thing that has never been given a satisfactory answer in one of James Cameron’s most popular movies of all time.

With Titanic, James Cameron scratched an itch he’d had for some time: exploring the Titanic. He built a wonderfully romantic, tragic, and ultimately heartbreaking story around stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet that told the story of the Titanic and those who perished as well as those who survived the tragedy.

James Cameron’s movie was nominated for 14 Oscars and ended up winning 11, which ended up tying Ben-Hur for most Oscars won by a single film. As for why Rose didn’t share the door, Cameron finally gave his answer, as unpopular as it was. He told Vanity Fair, “The answer is very simple because it says on page 147 [of the script] that Jack dies,” the director said. “Very simple.” Well, to you it’s very simple.

THE ABYSS (1989)

the abyss

GFR

GIANT FREAKIN MOVIE SCORE: 8.2/10

This was James Cameron’s first venture filming underwater and he did so effectively with The Abyss. The movie starred Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and once again, a Cameron stalwart, Michael Biehn.

The story finds an American submarine that has sunk in the Caribbean. The crew of an oil rig and the U.S. Navy have to race to reach the sub before the Soviets can.

As the rescue mission continues with its many failures, they hone in on the sub’s location. During one attempt, Mastrantonio’s Lindsey Brigman has an encounter with what she calls “non-terrestrial intelligence.” Simply put, she discovers aliens underwater. Harris’s Bud attempts one final rescue by using a liquid breathing suit, but he runs into trouble and the non-terrestrial aliens decide to save him.

While The Abyss was critically a hit, it was less popular with viewers (though still well-received), leaving a sort of “meh” taste.

AVATAR (2009)

avatar

GFR

Speaking of “meh” taste, that could sum up James Cameron’s Avatar. While being visually compelling, what seemed to be the hang-up for many was the story.

When Avatar first premiered, it premiered to record-setting numbers. In fact, to date, Avatar holds the second-highest box office gross of all time. So, it can’t be all that bad.

While the movie has obviously brought in big numbers, it seems the more viewers think about it, the more “meh” they get.

Be that as it may, Avatar is set in the mid-22nd century and humans are trying to colonize Pandora, a lush planet, in order to mine the mineral unobtanium. As the human’s mine, their expansion begins to threaten the existence of the Na’vi. The battle for the planet begins.

The movie stars Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Giovanni Ribisi.

TRUE LIES (1994)

true lies arnold schwarzenegger jamie lee curtis james cameron

GFR

James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger team up again for True Lies, an action-comedy that also stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, and Charlton Heston. Harry Tasker is a man who lives a double life. In one, he is a mild-mannered computer salesman and in the other, he is a secret agent for the U.S. Intelligence Agency Omega Sector.

Tasker’s dual identities come together when he thinks his wife is having an affair because she is seeking more adventure in her life, while at the same time he is on the trail of terrorists who have stolen nuclear weapons.

James Cameron smartly mixes humor with action and adventure with a lot of Jamie Lee Curtis sex appeal with wonderful results.

Latest James Cameron Movie News


Netflix R-Rated Sci-Fi Action Masterpiece Is The Best Sequel Of All Time

When The Terminator hit theaters in 1984, the film not only cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger as a certified action star but …

2 months ago

titanic ii

Titanic’s Most Infamous Scene Just Got Worse

James Cameron’s Titanic captivated audiences around the world as they watched the tale of characters played by Leonardo DiCaprio and …

2 months ago

james cameron avatar 3

James Cameron Joins AI Board Of Directors

Decades after writing and directing The Terminator, a film portraying the extraordinary lengths an artificial intelligence network would go through …

2 months ago

Hulu Sci-Fi Action Classic Is The Best Blockbuster Sequel

It’s been just a little over one month since the latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, burst onto …

2 months ago

Oscar-Winning Actress Doesn’t Think Film Nudity Is A Big Deal

Titanic helped make Kate Winslet a household name, and since then, she has become an award-winning actor whose captivating performances …

2 months ago

New Titanic Images Show Permanent Damage To Iconic Bow

The most recent expedition to the Titanic’s wreckage has revealed massive decay. Conducted by RMS Titanic Inc., the team revealed …

3 months ago

Sci-Fi Action Blockbuster Adaptation On Hulu Is A Modern Butt-Kicking Classic

If you’ve ever wondered how a collaboration between Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron would look, I have three words for …

3 months ago

The Best Live-Action Anime Film Is On Hulu

Any anime fan can tell you that live-action adaptations are very hit or miss. For every One Piece TV show, …

3 months ago

Flawed R-Rated Sci-Fi Horror Sequel On Hulu Deserves Second Chance

Among fans of the xeno-infested Alien franchise, Alien: Resurrection usually gets dunked on the hardest by fans. It’s not classic …

3 months ago

Alien: Romulus Is A Rehash Of Better Films

Fede Alvarez returns the Alien franchise to its horror roots with the admirable yet flawed Alien: Romulus. The eighth movie …

3 months ago

Steven Spielberg’s Aliens Pitch Is Terrible

Many fans consider James Cameron’s Aliens (1986) the best movie in the franchise. Cameron took the foundation Ridley Scott laid …

3 months ago

james cameron avatar

The James Cameron Secret To The Best Sci-Fi Sequels of All Time

There are two ways to make a successful sequel: the first is to build upon the previous film by expanding …

3 months ago

Alien: Covenant Broke The Weirdest Franchise Tradition

Certain ingredients make a movie an Alien movie. Xenomorphs, of course, and a strong female protagonist is also a must. …

3 months ago

The Most Beloved Sequel Of All Time Streaming On Netflix

When making a sequel to a hit movie, there are two ways to go. The first method expands upon the …

3 months ago

Hulu Fan-Favorite Sci-Fi Horror Franchise Is The Perfect Binge Before New Movie

In 1979, filmmaker Ridley Scott boldly went where no one had gone before when he combined the sci-fi genre with …

4 months ago

james cameron

Star Trek’s Surprise Connection to Avatar

While Star Trek has had some crazy crossovers across the years (including a truly strange book in which Captain Picard’s …

4 months ago

Ridley Scott Regrets Multiple Sequels He Couldn’t Direct And It’s Not His Fault

Auteur filmmakers often reach a point in their career where they have regrets, often regarding projects that couldn’t be squeezed …

5 months ago

James Cameron Leaves Epic Camera Goof In Iconic Movie Scene

Camera goofs are expected to happen when films are made, but James Cameron is one man who’s brave enough to …

5 months ago

The Star Wars Ripoff James Cameron Made Before Terminator

You’ll get a meal and a place to hide with this often overlooked space opera.

5 months ago

Rosario Dawson Joins Terminator Zero

Just when we thought the Terminator franchise was dead, following the admittedly-not-that-horrible release of Terminator: Dark Fate, Netflix decided to …

5 months ago

arnold schwarzenegger rue lies

AI Is Already Ruining Classic Movies Possibly Forever

Technology marches ever forward, and artificial intelligence and its effects on various industries continue to be the hot-button topic of …

5 months ago

Under Paris Proves Netflix Can Offer What Movie Theaters Abandoned

Recently, I watched Under Paris on Netflix, and I was a bit surprised to see how much audiences (perhaps sensing …

5 months ago

Alien: Romulus Is Making Xenomorphs Scary Again And Its About Time

If you haven’t watched the Alien: Romulus trailer yet, let me be the one to tell you: Fede Alvarez is …

6 months ago

Roger Corman Honored With Incredible Restored Movies Heading Back To Theaters

Film Masters is teaming up with the American Genre Film Archive to bring some Roger Corman classics back to theaters. …

6 months ago

Roger Corman, Movie Icon For Over 70 Years, Dead At 98

There are very few people that we can say reshaped Hollywood in his image, and Roger Corman was one of …

6 months ago

Bernard Hill, Lord Of The Rings Icon, Dead At 79

Actor Bernard Hill has passed away at the age of 79. Best known for his roles as Captain Edward Smith …

7 months ago

arnold schwarzenegger feature

Arnold Schwarzenegger Almost Turned Down The Movie That Made His Whole Career

Could you imagine what the Terminator movies would be like without Arnold Schwarzenegger as the menacing, unstoppable killer cyborg from …

7 months ago

arnold schwarzenegger true lies

AI Is Ruining Classic Movies And Isn’t Stopping

Artificial intelligence has been a major issue in the creative arts in recent years, with the use of generative AI …

7 months ago

Alien: Romulus Reveals Tons Of Practical Effects And Monster Nastiness

Alien: Romulus is on pace to premiere this August, with the blessing of both Ridley Scott and James Cameron. Fans …

7 months ago

prequel

Titanic Drugging During Blockbuster Production Gets Reinvestigation

Titanic is a movie remembered and beloved for many reasons. It is a heartfelt romance that won Best Picture, it …

7 months ago