Arnold Schwarzenegger has easily been one of the biggest Hollywood stars, especially during the 80s and 90s.

Debuting with the 1977 documentary titled Pumping Iron, the action star and bodybuilding champion went on to do some of the biggest blockbusters like Conan the Barbarian, Commando, Predator, Total Recall, and the Terminator films.

While he was known more for his action rather than for his acting, he dabbled in different genres playing lead roles in comedies like True Lies, Junior, and Kindergarten Cop which went on to make great numbers at the box office.

But the Terminator star has also had his share of movies that, by his admission, failed to live up to expectations.

Actor turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger
What we know about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Red Sonja

Red Sonja, based on the comic book character of the same name, is an epic sword and sorcery film starring Brigitte Nielsen and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Created by Robert E Howard who is also credited with the character Conan in Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja has shades of this Arnold  Schwarzenegger classic as well.

This tale of revenge set in prehistoric times sees The Expendables star play the role of Lord Kalidor who helps Sonja, a young woman, seek revenge from her antagonists who left her for dead.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brigette Nielsen in Red Sonja
The film which was released in 1985, unfortunately, was not received well by critics and fans who called it an uninspired conclusion to Schwarzenegger’s barbarian trilogy along with criticisms about the casting choices. In the words of famous critic Roger Egert,

“the film was poorly made, yet it contained enough campy humor that it might have been intended as a spoof”

Is Red Sonja Arnold Schwarzenegger’s worst film?

There is enough proof from the reviews of Red Sonja that the film did not light up the box office.

But what did the movie’s star think about it?  Arnold Schwarzenegger claims that the film was “the worst he had ever made“, he is also jokingly known to have said that he would nominate it as punishment for his kids if they misbehaved at home. To quote the actor,

“When my kids get out of line, they’re sent to their rooms and forced to watch Red Sonja 10 times. I never had too much trouble with them.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger as Lord Kalidor in Red Sonja
While Red Sonja is a film that may still haunt Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor turned politician has always been known for his tongue-in-cheek humor on and off screen as well as his straightforward opinions on issues.

His honest and funny comments on Red Sonja are ample proof of the star taking failure in his stride and moving on.