The Terminator (1984)

Futuristic cyborg (Schwarzenegger, suitably robotic and menacing) is sent to present-day Earth. His job: kill the woman, Sarah Connor (Hamilton), who will conceive the child destined to become the great liberator and arch-enemy of the Earth's future rulers. The cyborg is also pursued by another futuristic visitor, Kyle Reese (Biehn), who falls in love with the intended victim. Cameron's pacing is just right in this exhilarating, explosive thriller which displays Arnie as one cold-blooded villain who utters a now famous line: I'll be back. Followed by Terminator 2: Judgment Day.