Arnold Schwarzenegger's New Franchise: FUBAR's Success and Future

The Return of Arnold Schwarzenegger to Franchise Success

It's been 13 years since the last time Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a new franchise, but according to streaming data released by Netflix, he finally has a new one. From the Terminator saga to the Conan the Barbarian series, Schwarzenegger has headlined his fair share of Hollywood franchises over the years. In recent years, as the idea of the traditional movie star has faded, Schwarzenegger hasn’t launched as many franchises as he used to. But his hit show on Netflix could be a springboard into a new franchise.

Arnold Schwarzenegger walking away from a dumpster fire in FUBAR

In Netflix’s new report on viewership figures between January and June of 2023, released as part of the transparency won by the WGA in its recent strike, Schwarzenegger’s action comedy series FUBAR took the #10 spot with a whopping 266,200,000 hours viewed. Netflix had already renewed the series for a second season, but its viewing figures indicate enough popularity for the show to run for even longer. This would make FUBAR the first new franchise that Schwarzenegger has launched in 13 years.

Arnold Schwarzenegger with a handgun in FUBAR

Schwarzenegger hasn’t properly launched a new franchise in 13 years. He starred in Terminator: Dark Fate in 2019, but he launched that franchise way back in 1984. He starred alongside fellow action movie icon Sylvester Stallone in Escape Plan in 2013, and that went on to become a franchise, but Schwarzenegger never appeared in any of the sequels. The last time that Schwarzenegger kickstarted a franchise and reappeared in its sequels was The Expendables, also co-starring Stallone, all the way back in 2010.

Thanks to the millions of viewers attracted to Schwarzenegger’s Netflix series FUBAR, the actor might finally have a new franchise to star in. FUBAR has already been guaranteed a season 2, but that could lead to more seasons and even a spin-off series or a movie adaptation. The success of FUBAR has proven that Schwarzenegger is still just as popular as he ever was, and he’ll attract an audience as long as he has the right character and the right story.

Why FUBAR Is More Exciting For Schwarzenegger Rather Than Another Movie Franchise

Ultimately, FUBAR is more exciting for Schwarzenegger’s career than another movie franchise would be. He can always return to the Terminator franchise or make a new Conan movie, but FUBAR is his first ever starring role in a live-action TV series. A TV show presents creative possibilities that a feature-length film doesn’t. Arnold Schwarzenegger will have a chance to spend more time with his FUBAR character Luke Brunner than any of his other roles – even the Terminator.