Playing this fictional sword-and-sorcery beefcake proved to be the breakthrough role for Arnie Schwarzenegger and it’s easy to see why. The moody, brawny anti-hero matched young Arnie’s acting ability and bulging biceps perfectly, making it entirely plausible that he’d be able to push the ‘Wheel of Pain’ singlehandedly. Conan’s muscles meant he was able to comfortably see off various ne’er-do-wells in gladiatorial battles and defeat serpentine baddie James Earl Jones in the film’s final showdown.