30 Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies of All Time
From 'Avengers: Endgame' to 'Zodiac,' Moviefone counts down the best 30 movies of Robert Downey Jr.'s long and impressive career.
Robert Downey, Jr. accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most beloved and talented actors of his generation.
After recently winning a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, Downey finally scored a Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards for his work on 'Oppenheimer.'
Best known for his work as Tony Stark in 'Iron Man' and the MCU movies, Downey Jr. has also appeared in such popular movies as 'Weird Science,' 'Back to School,' 'Less Than Zero,' 'Chaplin,' 'Natural Born Killers,' 'Bowfinger,' 'Zodiac,' 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' 'Tropic Thunder' and 'Sherlock Holmes.'
In honor of his recent Oscar win, Moviefone is counting down the top 30 movies of Robert Downey Jr.'s long and impressive career.
Let's begin!
30. 'Due Date' (2010)
(L to R) Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis in 'Due Date.' Photo: Warner Bros.
Peter Highman (Downey Jr.) must scramble across the US in five days to be present for the birth of his first child. He gets off to a bad start when his wallet and luggage are stolen, and put on the 'no-fly' list. Peter embarks on a terrifying journey when he accepts a ride from an actor (Zach Galifianakis).
29. 'Two Girls and a Guy' (1997)
Two women (Natasha Gregson Wagner and Heather Graham) confront their boyfriend (Downey Jr.), a two-timing actor who professed eternal love to each.
Two Girls and a Guy
28. 'Air America' (1990)
Air America was the CIA's private airline operating in Laos during the Vietnam War, running anything and everything from soldiers to foodstuffs for local villagers. After losing his pilot's license, Billy Covington (Downey Jr.) is recruited into it, and ends up in the middle of a bunch of lunatic pilots, gun-running by his friend Gene Ryack (Mel Gibson), and opium smuggling by his own superiors.
27. 'Charlie Bartlett' (2008)
Awkward teenager Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) has trouble fitting in at a new high school. Charlie needs some friends fast, and decides that the best way to find them is to appoint himself the resident psychiatrist. He becomes one of the most popular guys in school by doling out advice and, occasionally, medication, to the student body.
26. 'The Judge' (2014)
A successful lawyer (Downey Jr.) returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral only to discover that his estranged father (Robert Duvall), the town's judge, is suspected of murder.
25. 'U.S. Marshals' (1998)
(L to R) Joe Pantoliano, Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Downey Jr. in 'U.S. Marshalls.' Photo: Warner Bros.
U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) is accompanying a plane load of convicts from Chicago to New York. The plane crashes spectacularly, and Mark Sheridan (Wesley Snipes) escapes. But when Diplomatic Security Agent John Royce (Downey Jr.) is assigned to help Gerard recapture Sheridan, it becomes clear that Sheridan is more than just another murderer.
U.S. Marshals
24. 'Soapdish' (1991)
Celeste Talbert (Sally Field) is the star of the long-running soap opera "The Sun Also Sets." With the show's ratings down, Celeste's ruthlessly ambitious co-star, Montana Moorehead (Cathy Moriarty), and the show's arrogant producer, David Seton Barnes (Downey Jr.), plot to aggravate her into leaving the show by bringing back her old flame, Jeffrey Anderson (Kevin Kline), and hiring her beautiful young niece, Lori Craven (Elisabeth Shue).
23. 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' (2017)
Following the events of 'Captain America: Civil War,' Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
22. 'Weird Science' (1985)
Two unpopular teenagers, Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith), fail at all attempts to be accepted by their peers. Their desperation to be liked leads them to "create" a woman via their computer. Their living and breathing creation is a gorgeous woman, Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), whose purpose is to boost their confidence level by putting them into situations which require Gary and Wyatt to act like men.
21. 'Short Cuts' (1993)
Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot (Lily Tomlin) accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a coma. While at the hospital, the boy's grandfather tells his son, Howard (Bruce Davidson), about his past affairs. Meanwhile, a baker starts harassing the family when they fail to pick up the boy's birthday cake.
Short Cuts
Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot accidentally runs into a boy with her... Read the Plot
20. 'Iron Man 3' (2013)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Iron Man 3.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
When Tony Stark's (Downey Jr.) world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
19. 'Chef' (2014)
When Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling owner, he is left to figure out what's next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), his friend (Downey Jr.) and his son (Emjay Anthony) to launch a food truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen -- and zest for life and love.
18. 'Captain America: Civil War' (2016)
Following the events of 'Age of Ultron,' the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man (Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans), which causes an epic battle between former allies.
Captain America: Civil War
17. 'Home for the Holidays' (1995)
After losing her job, making out with her soon to be ex-boss, and finding out that her daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) has to face spending the holiday with her family. She wonders if she can survive their crazy antics.
Home for the Holidays
16. 'Back to School' (1986)
Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) decides to get a better education and enrolls at his son Jason's (Keith Gordon) college. While Jason tries to fit in with his fellow students, Thornton struggles to gain his son's respect, giving way to hilarious antics.
Back to School
15. 'The Avengers' (2012)
2012's 'The Avengers.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!
14. 'Natural Born Killers' (1994)
Two victims of traumatized childhoods (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis) become lovers and serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.
13. 'Bowfinger' (1999)
On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingenue, a has-been diva and a film studio gofer, he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.
12. 'Wonder Boys' (2000)
Grady (Michael Douglas) is a 50-ish English professor who hasn't had a thing published in years—not since he wrote his award winning 'Great American Novel' 7 years ago. This weekend proves even worse than he could imagine as he finds himself reeling from one misadventure to another in the company of a new wonder boy (Tobey Maguire) author.
Wonder Boys
11. 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018)
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
10. 'Zodiac' (2007)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Zodiac.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
A cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal) teams up with an ace reporter (Downey Jr.) and a law enforcement officer (Mark Ruffalo) to track down an elusive serial killer.
Zodiac
9. 'Good Night, and Good Luck.' (2005)
David Strathairn as Edward R. Murrow in 'Good Night, and Good Luck.' Photo: Warner Independent Pictures.
The story of journalist Edward R. Murrow's (David Strathaim) stand against Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist witch-hunts in the early 1950s.
8. 'Less Than Zero' (1987)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Less Than Zero.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
A college freshman (Andrew McCarthy) returns to Los Angeles for Christmas at his ex-girlfriend's (Jami Gertz) request, but discovers that his former best friend (Downey Jr.) has an out-of-control drug habit.
7. 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009)
(L to R) Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. in 'Sherlock Holmes.' Photo: Warner Bros.
Eccentric consulting detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and Doctor John Watson (Jude Law) battle to bring down a new nemesis (Mark Strong) and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy England.
6. 'Chaplin' (1992)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Chaplin' Photo: TriStar Pictures.
An elderly Charlie Chaplin (Downey Jr.) discusses his autobiography with his editor (Anthony Hopkins), recounting his amazing journey from his poverty-stricken childhood to world-wide success after the ingenious invention of the Little Tramp.
5. 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Avengers: Endgame.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
After the devastating events of 'Avengers: Infinity War,' the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
4. 'Tropic Thunder' (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Tropic Thunder.' Photo: DreamWorks Pictures.
Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Downey Jr. lead an ensemble cast in 'Tropic Thunder,' an action comedy about a group of self-absorbed actors who set out to make the most expensive war film. After ballooning costs force the studio to cancel the movie, the frustrated director refuses to stop shooting, leading his cast into the jungles of Southeast Asia, where they encounter real bad guys.
3. 'Iron Man' (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. in 'Iron Man.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.
2. 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' (2005)
(L to R) Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.' Photo: Warner Bros.
A petty thief posing as an actor (Downey Jr.) is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) and a detective (Val Kilmer) who's been training him for his upcoming role...
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
1. 'Oppenheimer' (2023)
Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer's (Cillian Murphy) role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
