7 Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies, According To Film Critics

Robert Downey Jr. is one of the greatest actors in American cinema history. With more than 70 films over 40-plus years, Downey Jr. is an American acting icon. His movies have pulled in more than 14 billion dollars worldwide and his career is still far from over. The actor continues to take on challenging roles and make great movies, so the best Robert Downey Jr. movies might still be to come.

One thing is for sure, watching movies is a fun, positive experience that can potentially boost your mental health and increase empathy. A recent study found that ‘film therapy’ can be effective at helping people process difficult emotions, which in turn, can help improve mental health. So, which movies are considered Robert Downey Jr.’s greatest works? StudyFinds did the research, consulting 10 pop culture and movie review sites in an effort to bring you a consensus list of the best Robert Downey Jr. movies. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed films and brings them here to you. Think we missed one of Downey’s greatest films? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

The List: Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies, According to Reviews

1. “Iron Man” (2008)

The top spot on the list of the best Robert Downey Jr. movies belongs to “Iron Man” and Downey’s role as Tony Stark. Without a doubt, Tony Stark is Downey’s defining role, and it’s how the world knows him as an actor. As the first movie in the Marvel Comic Universe (MCU) line of films, Iron Man changed the course of cinematic history, explains Men’s Health.

Downey plays his role as the brash, cocky billionaire Tony Stark perfectly, setting the stage for the entire Marvel film franchise, and kicking off modern-day superhero movies as we know them, highlights The Manual. Without Downey playing Iron Man, the character would never have lived up to its potential and the Marvel franchise probably wouldn’t have taken off like it did.

“Iron Man” was directed by Jon Favreau, known for his role in movies such as “Rudy” and “Swingers,” and it was apparent from the start that Downey and Favreau made a perfect pair. Downey didn’t do it alone, though. He starred along with Gwenyth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrance Howard in a fairly star-studded production that brought in more than $580 million at the box office, notes The Direct. “Iron Man” was clearly the stepping stone for the MCU franchise that now has more than 40 movies and television shows to its credit.

2. “Oppenheimer” (2023)

Next up on the list of the top movies in Robert Downey Jr.’s career is his role as Lewis Strauss in the award-winning “Oppenheimer.” “Oppenheimer” won the Oscar for Best Picture while Downey won Best Supporting Actor, marking his first Oscar win. Downey has been nominated for an Oscar before, more on that later, but the great actor had never won an Academy Award until his win in 2024. Of course, “Oppenheimer” was an instant success, mostly due to the incredible performances from the lineup of acting talent, notes Movie Web.

“Oppenheimer” is set during World War II and tells the story of the United States’ development of the atomic bomb and the man saddled with running the project – Robert Oppenheimer. Downey’s role as Lewis Strauss is unforgettable and he helped make the movie as successful as it is. The Direct agrees that “Oppenheimer” needs to be considered among Downey’s top acting performances.

“Oppenheimer” premiered alongside “Barbie” in July 2023 and the two films were instant box-office hits, explains A Frame. Although Downey played a supporting role, his portrayal of Lewis Strauss was an integral part of this movie’s success. Strauss was on the verge of being confirmed into the U.S. Senate when his past with Robert Oppenheimer jeopardized his future. Downey nailed this role and helped make this movie a resounding success.

3. “Chaplin” (1992)

The third entry on the list of the best movies in Robert Downey Jr.’s career is “Chaplin” and his role as the infamous Charlie Chaplin. “Chaplin” was Downey’s first big acting feat as he prepared extensively for his role as the silent film icon. As Slash Film notes, preparing to play someone as important to the history of film as Charlie Chaplin is particularly challenging. Downey Jr. had to master Chaplin’s mannerisms, movements, and personality to portray the legendary actor accurately.

Downey’s role as Charlie Chaplin also captured his first career Oscar nomination, explains We Got This Covered. Downey Jr. truly breathes life into Charlie Chaplin as he tells the story of one of Hollywood’s most famous actors and directors. In retrospect, Downey Jr. gave one of the greatest performances in a biopic that audiences have ever seen and his work on screen was remarkable.

Movie Web calls Chaplin the best acting performance of Downey’s career and for good reason. Downey was nominated for Best Actor for his role as “Chaplin” but the award in 1993 went to Al Pacino for “Scent of a Woman.” Movie fans unanimously felt Downey was robbed of the Oscar in 1993 and that Pacino only won because of his past success in films such as “The Godfather” which did not garner an award. Unfortunately, Hollywood works like that sometimes and Downey finally picked up his first Academy Award win in 2024 for his role in “Oppenheimer,” as mentioned above.

4. “Tropic Thunder” (2008)

The fourth flick on the list of the best Robert Downey Jr. movies is none other than the hit comedy “Tropic Thunder.” Downey Jr. plays a somewhat controversial role in this film as an Australian method actor who is so consumed by his own success that he thinks he can portray an African American character, explains Men’s Health.

Downey Jr. portrays Kirk Lazarus perfectly as he allows his comedic talents to shine in this movie, furthers Indie Wire. “Tropic Thunder” might have been controversial but Downey Jr. garnered an Oscar nomination for his role and rightfully so. Downey Jr. delivered one of the top comedic performances of the early 2000s and stole the show away from other comedic legends such as Ben Stiller and Jack Black.

Downey Jr. was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Kirk Lazarus in “Tropic Thunder,” eventually losing out to Heath Ledger for his role in “The Dark Knight,” notes Gold Derby. Downey’s Lazarus is one of the top performances of the actor’s career.

5. “Zodiac” (2007)

Next up on the list of the best Robert Downey Jr. movies is the crime thriller “Zodiac.” As Movie Web explains, this movie takes an in-depth look at the unsolved Zodiac murders that plagued San Francisco during the ’60s and ’70s and Downey Jr. gives fans one of the most underrated performances of his career.

Slash Film agrees that Downey Jr’s performance in “Zodiac” is one of the best of his career. This movie focuses on the efforts of the police and the media in catching the infamous Zodiac killer. Downey Jr. plays true crime reporter Paul Avery as the film shifts between characters and their experiences during this time, making for a great crime thriller that keeps audiences on edge the entire time.

Downey’s role as a newspaper journalist is on point in this movie, adds AMC Theaters. The storyline is beyond riveting but the acting performances truly make this movie worth watching. Downey Jr. teams up with Jake Gyllenhall to deliver one of the best true crime movies of its era.

6. “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005)

The sixth spot on the list of the top Robert Downey Jr. movies belongs to “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Downey Jr. himself calls his performance in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” one of the best of his career, notes A Frame. The dialogue in this movie is excellently written while Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer deliver the script beautifully.

Downey Jr. plays Harry Lockhart, a small-time criminal who lands an opportunity to screen test for a movie and flies out to Hollywood for the event, explains Indie Wire. While in Hollywood, Lockhart becomes entangled in a murder conspiracy and meets up with Perry Van Shrike, played by Kilmer. The role marked a comeback for Downey Jr. who was previously battling addiction issues in his personal life.

Downey Jr. and Kilmer play off of each other to make this movie great. “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” was released in 2005 and many around the movie business feel this role helped set Downey Jr. up for his opportunity to star in “Iron Man,” notes Men’s Health. Downey Jr. took full advantage of the opportunity and the rest is history.

7. “Sherlock Holmes” (2009)

Rounding out the list of the top Robert Downey Jr. movies is Sherlock Holmes. Downey Jr’s role as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s remake of the cinematic classic is an unforgettable performance, notes Slash Film. Downey Jr. teamed up with Jude Law, playing Dr. John Watson, and the two were great together.

Downey Jr.’s energetic take on the Sherlock Holmes character was equally humorous and captivating, furthers We Got This Covered. The movie was a resounding success as it grossed more than $500 million worldwide at the box office. The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law was apparent from the start and helped facilitate the “Sherlock Holmes” movie franchise.

This version of the classic Arthur Conan Doyle tale about Sherlock Holmes is entertaining, action-packed, and features Downey Jr.’s quick wit. As The Manual explains, a lot of movie fans felt this was a sign that Downey Jr. was destined for greatness in action movies beyond the Marvel franchise and his role as Iron Man in the MCU. Still, his role as Sherlock Holmes remains one of his greatest works.

Sources:

• Men’s Health
• Indie Wire
• Gold Derby
• A Frame
• The Manual
• Movie Web
• The Direct
• Slash Film
• AMC Theaters
• We Got This Covered

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