Ranking the Films of James Cameron

Since his breakthrough in the 1980s, James Cameron has been dubbed one of the most innovative and bold filmmakers to work in Hollywood. He’s added classic entries to beloved franchises such as Alien, The Terminator, and his very own Avatar. Even in his non-franchise outings in The Abyss, True Lies, and Titanic, he never ceases to find new ways to push the boundaries of filmmaking. Always looking to make new ground for special effects and crafting some of the most brilliant blockbusters of all time, he’s made a knack for telling audiences one thing: never to doubt him, as he will prove you otherwise. Cameron is an unapologetic filmmaker and even though his career spans four decades, he has no plans to slow down. As he turns 70 years old today, it’s time to look back at the audacious filmography of Big Jim.

9. Piranha II: The Spawning (1982)

Easily the most forgotten movie in his filmography, Piranha II: The Spawning sees Cameron helming the sequel to the 1978 cult classic. Not only is it an absolute mess in every corner, but Piranha II has a terrible ensemble, with no one doing anything special to avoid every cliché one would come to expect from a horror flick of this caliber. The effects on the piranhas are cheap and tacky, barely doing anything to bring any sort of life into this mess. I don’t blame Cameron, though, as he got fired during production and later disowned the movie. But just like David Fincher with his debut effort in Alien 3, Cameron is still the credited director, so it unfortunately counts for this ranking.

8. The Abyss (1989)

Surprisingly, one of Cameron’s most obscure works, The Abyss, sees him relying more on the technicals than a concrete narrative. Understand me, The Abyss’ technicals are marvelous, especially the visual effects. Aside from that, the movie isn’t as strong despite Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio turning in noteworthy performances as the two leads. The plot isn’t memorable, even though the final act picks things up when the group discovers the aliens and returns to the surface. Alan Silvestri’s music helps tremendously in making a memorable impact on these moments, even the water tentacle scene. He captures the wonder and awe the characters experience when witnessing a spectacle such as the tentacle. With these moments, Cameron paved the way to build himself further as a filmmaker and innovator.

7. Aliens (1986)

The fact that Cameron walked into the pitch meeting for Aliens, wrote the word out, and made the dollar sign just tells you how gutsy the man is. Aliens could’ve been a massive crash for him and Fox as it shifted tones from the all-out horror show of the original to a survival action flick. As a sequel to Ridley Scott's Alien, this film successfully expands the universe while maintaining its predecessor's intense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Sigourney Weaver delivers a powerhouse performance as Ellen Ripley, bringing depth and resilience to her character as she confronts the terrifying xenomorphs once again. The film excels in pacing, gradually building tension before unleashing relentless action sequences. The practical effects and creature designs are exceptional, creating a visceral sense of dread that excels alongside Weaver’s career-best line delivery. Unfortunately, Aliens has proven to be the last genuinely solid film in the franchise as every movie onward has been a divisive hit or miss. We’ll see if Alien: Romulus ends that streak.

6. True Lies (1994)

True Lies is a wildly entertaining blend of action, comedy, and espionage. Arnold Schwarzenegger shines as Harry Tasker, a seemingly ordinary husband who leads a double life as a secret agent. All of the charisma that audiences have come to know from him is on full display, from the cheeky one-liners to thrilling action. Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a standout performance as Helen, Harry's unsuspecting wife, whose transformation from bored housewife to action heroine is hilarious and empowering. The chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Curtis adds a refreshing dynamic to the film, balancing the intense action with moments of genuine humor and warmth (take their whole “the bridge is out” exchange as an example). It's a testament to Cameron's ability to mix genres and deliver a blockbuster that's as charming as it is thrilling. 

5. The Terminator (1984)

Another Schwarzenegger starring movie and the one that put Cameron on the map, The Terminator is a groundbreaking sci-fi thriller. Schwarzenegger is unforgettable as the relentless, nearly indestructible cyborg sent from the future to assassinate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose survival is crucial to humanity's fate. With only $6.5 million at Cameron’s disposal, the film is a masterclass in low-budget filmmaking, using practical effects, tight pacing, and atmospheric tension to create a sense of unstoppable dread. Cameron ensures that every scene is packed with suspense, making the Terminator's pursuit feel genuinely terrifying. Hamilton's portrayal of Sarah Connor is both vulnerable and strong, setting the stage for her character's evolution in the sequel.

4. Avatar (2009)

One of the biggest movies to ever grace the silver screen (for better or worse), Avatar sees Cameron boldly ringing in his first movie of the 21st century. Avatar is a visually stunning joint that redefined what was possible in cinematic technology. Set in the lush alien world of Pandora, the film immerses viewers in a breathtakingly detailed environment brought to life through groundbreaking 3D effects and motion capture technology. The vibrant landscapes, intricate ecosystems, and the Na'vi, the planet's indigenous people, create an immersive experience that feels both fantastical and real. While Avatar doesn’t break new ground in storytelling, its execution is so grand and visually compelling that it elevates the familiar narrative.

3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Avatar: The Way of Water is a visually mesmerizing return to the world of Pandora, expanding on the original with even more breathtaking sequences and stunning visual effects. The film continues the story of Jake and Neytiri as they protect their family from new threats, this time focusing on the vast, mysterious oceans of Pandora. Cameron’s mastery of world-building is on full display, with the underwater environments being a standout feature, showcasing intricate details and vibrant marine life that are nothing short of awe-inspiring. The advancements in CGI and motion capture technology elevate the immersive experience, making every scene a visual feast. Contrary to the first movie, The Way of Water sees a standout performance from Britain Dalton as Jake and Neytiri’s second son Lo’ak. He’s the heart and soul of the movie as he breathes life into his character that the ensemble from the first film missed. 

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

If Terminator 2 proved anything, it’s how to make a sequel and have it properly be a step up from its predecessor. The movie delivers a gripping mix of action, sci-fi, and emotional depth. Cameron elevates the franchise with groundbreaking special effects, particularly in the form of the liquid-metal T-1000, played menacingly by Robert Patrick. The visual effects, revolutionary for their time, still hold up today, making the T-1000 one of the most iconic villains in film history. Schwarzenegger returns as the reprogrammed Terminator, now tasked with protecting a young John Connor (Edward Furlong). His transformation from ruthless killing machine to protective guardian adds a compelling layer to his character, while Furlong gives one of the best child performances of the 90s. It’ll make you say nothing other than “hasta lavista, baby” when the credits roll.

1. Titanic (1997)

There are few filmmakers who have made a movie about a specific historical event so good that no one else will ever attempt it again. James Cameron became one of those people in his Best Picture-winning epic Titanic, one of the most rewarded films by the Academy with 14 total nominations and 11 wins. Titanic is a testament to blockbuster filmmaking and awards season prestige, with some considering it to be the perfect date night movie. It also helps that Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are the leads and have clockwork chemistry. As for Cameron, he made sure he was working with the best as Titanic makes for an impressive feat in not only the effects and acting, but in its design, music, and writing. Like Jack, Cameron rightfully cemented himself as the king of the film world with Titanic.

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