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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
James Cameron Takes Both Second And Third Place At The Box Office
James Cameron’s movies Avatar: The Way of Water and a rereleased Titanic are #2 and #3 at the box office.
Why A Real Titanic Survivor Refused To Watch The Movie
Millvina Dean, the last living Titanic survivor, refused to see James Cameron’s movie.
Watch James Cameron Defend His Worst Decision
James Cameron defends his choice to have Jack die at the end of Titanic during an upcoming National Geographic special.
Avatar 2 Just Cracked Yet Another Enormous Record
Avatar 2 has surpassed $2 billion in worldwide ticket sales as just the sixth film in history to achieve this record.
James Cameron Doesn’t Want You Ever Watching His Movies On A Phone
James Cameron is not a fan of streaming but thinks cell phones have too many distractions to watch a movie on them.
James Cameron Says Avatar’s Hero Will Be Replaced
James Cameron has revealed that Jake Sully will be replaced as the hero in Avatar 3.
See The New James Cameron Epic Starring Natalie Portman
James Cameron and Natalie Portman are teaming up for a documentary titled Secrets of the Elephants.
James Cameron Has The #1 Movie On Streaming Although He Hates It
James Cameron oddly bashed streaming services while his original Avatar movie is currently #1 Disney+ and in the top five on multiple streaming sites.
A Terrifying Ralph Fiennes Sci-Fi Movie Just Started Streaming For The First Time
The 1995 Ralph Fiennes sci-fi thriller Strange Days, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by James Cameron, just landed on HBO Max.
James Cameron Now Holds A Unique Record
James Cameron is now the only filmmaker with three different movies that have grossed over $1.5 billion.
James Cameron Reveals The Fate Of The Avatar Franchise
James Cameron revealed Avatar 2 made enough money that the already planned sequels will now be made.
James Cameron Only Making One Type Of Movie Going Forward?
In an interview, James Cameron discusses how he wants to only make Avatar films for the rest of his career.
Avatar 3 To Focus On Villainous Alien Species
James Cameron says Avatar 3 will include a “very negative” Na’vi culture.
Avatar 2’s Box Office Drop In Week Three Is Unbelievable
Avatar: The Way of Water had an astonishing 0% drop at the box office in its third week.
See Zoe Saldana Perform Her Most Dangerous Stunts
This short video shows Zoe Saldana performing dangerous stunts for the Avatar franchise.
See What James Cameron’s Spider-Man Looks Like In Unmade Movie Art
Old concept art from James Cameron’s unmade Spider-Man movie surfaces online.
James Cameron Removed A Chunk Of Avatar 2 Because He Hates Guns
James Cameron says he cut around 10 minutes out of Avatar: The Way of Water because he no longer wants to “fetishize” gun violence in his films.
Avatar Sequels Delayed Because There Was No Other Choice?
Avatar: The Way of Water’s release was delayed by almost a decade because of technological challenges, massive creative changes, and a long shooting schedule.
The Cast And Crew Of Titanic Was Drugged With PCP
Dozens of members of the cast and crew of Titanic – including Bill Paxton and James Cameron – were drugged with PCP by unknown parties during the making of the film.
Stranger Things Forced Major Change To Avatar 2?
James Cameron says the way the Avatar sequels were filmed changed because he didn’t want younger actors to age out of their roles; which he calls the “Stranger Things Effect.”
Avatar 3 Can’t Be Stopped, No Matter How Much The First Sequel Fails
Avatar 3 is 95% done and is likely to be released even if Avatar 2 is a flop.
Leonardo DiCaprio Had To Die In His Best Movie, Director Explains
James Cameron did a scientific study that proves Leonardo DiCaprio had to die in the Titanic.
Famous Filmmaker Told Matt Damon To Stop Complaining
James Cameron jokes that Matt Damon needs to “get over” his missed opportunity of claiming 10% of the profits of Avatar.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator Getting A Reboot?
James Cameron has stated that a Terminator reboot is currently “in discussion.”
An Avatar 2 Star Thought The Movie Came Out Years Ago And Bombed
Edie Falco, who appears in Avatar 2, thought the movie had already been released and failed at the box office.
Avatar 2 Now Headed Toward Box Office Disaster, Weekend Numbers Are In
Along with Avatar 2 underperforming in its opening weekend, the sequel relies on a 3D fad that’s been dead for years.
James Cameron Used Science To Confirm The Most Tragic Titanic Death
James Cameron says he has run experiments and Jack would have died in Titanic even if he got out of the water.
Avatar 2’s First Box Office Results Are In And Unexpected
Avatar 2 debuted with $53 million, and could only make around $150 million in its opening weekend.
James Cameron Wants Pregnant Women Sent To Fight In Wars
James Cameron made it a point to show Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri character fighting while pregnant.
Will Avatar 2 Cause Depression In Fans Of The First Film?
The first Avatar triggered depression in some people that wanted to badly visit Pandora; in interviews, those same fans say that they are looking forward to the sequel.
