This article will tell you about the top 10 movies in which Robert Downey Jr. completely killed the role.
Occasionally, a performer will become so closely associated with a role or series that just thinking about their name will bring up the films from that universe. When we talk about Daniel Radcliffe, we get nostalgic about the Harry Potter movies we saw in elementary school.
The name Harrison Ford will evoke debates like those between Han Solo and Indiana Jones. And when you discuss Robert Downey Jr.’s greatness, you’re probably going to consider the enormous slate of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films in which he starred as the brilliant but emotionally damaged rich child Tony Stark.
Because of Downey Jr.’s portrayal, Iron Man is one of the most critical on-screen characters ever, but the MCU has also typecast the actor and boxed him into a genre that he may now wish to venture out of.
Downey Jr. was able to pursue the biographical route with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, and the results were excellent. We’d like to take a look at the top ten Robert Downey Jr. films, from his talented beginnings to his superhero success and everything in between.
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Marvel and the casting directors had to take a lot of creative liberties and risks in order to relaunch the Spider-Man franchise. They were confident that Tom Holland was the ideal option to play Peter Parker in this remake, but incorporating Iron Man into the plot as a mentor to him left an enduring effect on the film.
Downey Jr. makes an excellent second banana in this film, allowing Holland to get his feet wet before taking over as Marvel’s most recognized hero.
9. Chaplin (1992)
Seeing actors play other actors is always a fascinating bit of irony, and RDJ really killed it in this part. Charlie Chaplin was the defining performer of the first half of the twentieth century, and Downey Jr. was a rising star with much to prove at this stage in his career.
He portrayed Chaplin’s life and career with spooky precision and great attention to detail. This was the performance that made everyone realize he was going to be big.
8. Zodiac (2007)
Zodiac, one of David Fincher’s most underappreciated films, is an in-depth look at the rocky path of law enforcement while trying to track down the Zodiac Killer in the 1970s in the Bay Area.
Downey Jr. plays real-life journalist Paul Avery, a member of the media who spent a large amount of time attempting to solve the serial killer’s case in San Francisco.
7. Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Sherlock Holmes is a highly enjoyable rendition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous mystery narrative, released in the brilliant aftermath of Iron Man. Downey Jr. plays the titular investigator, while Jude Law is Watson’s sidekick, with the two performers generating a memorable connection that makes for engaging entertainment.
The picture was expected to be a precursor to Downey Jr. appearing in more non-Marvel films in the 2010s, but that never happened.
6. Captain America: Civil War (2015)
Critics praised Civil War for its more mature themes, which depicted a world scarred by heroes and villains over the years as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes were divided over how to best safeguard the globe.
Downey Jr. was especially intriguing as he explored a darker side of Tony Stark than fans had ever seen, dealing with themes such as loss and revenge while delving deep into his past.
5. The Avengers (2012)
As it amazed critics and viewers, Avengers was a groundbreaking event in the history of superhero movies. It was the first real collaborative effort of its sort, and it even peaked as the third-highest-grossing movie ever made, currently ranking in the top 10.
Marvel Studios transformed the movie industry forever, and Downey Jr. cemented his superstar status while sharing the limelight with nearly half a dozen other well-known actors.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War, released in 2018, gathered a large ensemble of characters from throughout the Marvel Universe to combat Josh Brolin’s Thanos as the Mad Titan hunted out the six Infinity Stones scattered throughout the galaxy.
As the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and everyone in between join forces to thwart Thanos’ thirst for dominance, Downey Jr’s Iron Man is one of dozens of heroes to join the fight.
3. Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau, not only launched the superhero film genre, but also gave Robert Downey Jr. the opportunity to play a character who would otherwise never have reached its full potential.
Downey Jr. turns a pompous, cocky nepo-baby into a likable character by blending real-life challenges with comic-book answers. Downey Jr’s nemesis, the Iron Monger, is played by Jeff Bridges.
2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Downey Jr.’s labour in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has culminated in one of his best performances.
Downey Jr. is able to occupy all of the emotions and weight that fans anticipate Stark to possess at this stage in his journey as Tony Stark contends with the aftermath of Thanos’ actions and his responsibilities as one of the original members of the Avengers.
RDJ has always been Marvel’s poster boy, and this final installment was perfectly climactic.
1. Oppenheimer (2023)
Robert has remained relatively quiet since leaving the Iron Man outfit. His rousing comeback to Hollywood in Christopher Nolan’s most recent picture was critically acclaimed, and it let Marvel fans see the actor in a whole new way.
Oppenheimer is an exciting and terrifying look at the development of the atomic bomb during WWII. Downey Jr. portrays Lewis Strauss, the creator of the United States Atomic Energy Commission.
