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He has also played some of the most iconic characters in cinema history, such as Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, and Charlie Chaplin.
In this article, we will look at 10 of his best movies that showcase his talent and charm. These are the Robert Downey Jr movies that you should not miss.
Iron Man (2008)
This is the movie that started it all. Iron Man is the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the one that introduced Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man, a billionaire genius inventor who builds a high-tech suit of armor to fight evil.
The movie was a huge hit with critics and audiences alike, earning over $585 million worldwide and launching a franchise that would dominate the box office for over a decade.
Robert Downey Jr’s performance as Tony Stark was praised for its humor, charisma, and vulnerability. He made the character his own and became synonymous with Iron Man.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Robert Downey Jr proved that he can play more than one iconic character when he took on the role of Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
In this movie directed by Guy Ritchie, he teams up with Jude Law as Dr. John Watson to solve a series of mysterious crimes involving a cult leader named Lord Blackwood.
The movie is a fun and action-packed adventure that showcases Robert Downey Jr’s wit, intelligence, and physicality. He also won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.
Chaplin (1992)
This is the movie that earned Robert Downey Jr his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Chaplin is a biographical film about the life and career of Charlie Chaplin, one of the most influential comedians and filmmakers of all time.
Robert Downey Jr plays Chaplin from his childhood in London to his rise to fame in Hollywood to his exile in Switzerland.
He captures the essence of Chaplin’s genius, humor, and tragedy, as well as his physical and vocal mannerisms.
He also performs some of Chaplin’s famous routines, such as the dance with the bread rolls and the globe. Robert Downey Jr’s performance as Chaplin is a masterpiece of acting.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
This is the movie that earned Robert Downey Jr his second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Tropic Thunder is a comedy film about a group of actors who are making a war movie in Vietnam, but end up in a real war zone.
Robert Downey Jr plays Kirk Lazarus, an Australian method actor who undergoes a controversial skin pigmentation procedure to play a black soldier.
He stays in character throughout the film, even when he is not on camera, and delivers some of the funniest lines and moments in the movie. He also parodies the stereotypes and clichés of Hollywood and the film industry.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
This is the movie that marked Robert Downey Jr’s comeback after years of drug addiction and legal troubles. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a neo-noir comedy film written and directed by Shane Black, who would later collaborate with Robert Downey Jr on Iron Man 3 (2013).
The movie follows Harry Lockhart, a petty thief who accidentally auditions for a Hollywood movie and gets involved in a murder mystery with a private detective named Gay Perry and a struggling actress named Harmony.
Robert Downey Jr plays Harry Lockhart with his trademark charm, sarcasm, and self-deprecation. He also has great chemistry with Val Kilmer as Gay Perry and Michelle Monaghan as Harmony.
Zodiac (2007)
This is one of Robert Downey Jr’s most serious and dramatic roles. Zodiac is a crime thriller film directed by David Fincher, based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Robert Downey Jr plays Paul Avery, a journalist who covers the case and becomes obsessed with finding the killer’s identity.
He also develops a friendship and rivalry with Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist who also investigates the case. Robert Downey Jr gives a nuanced and compelling performance as Paul Avery, showing his charisma, intelligence, and vulnerability.
The Avengers (2012)
This is the movie that brought together Robert Downey Jr and other Marvel superheroes for the first time.
The Avengers is a superhero film directed by Joss Whedon, based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. The movie follows Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye as they team up to stop Loki, Thor’s adoptive brother, from unleashing an alien invasion on Earth.
The movie was a massive success, earning over $1.5 billion worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Robert Downey Jr’s performance as Iron Man was praised for its humor, leadership, and heroism. He also had great interactions with the other actors and characters.
The Judge (2014)
This is one of Robert Downey Jr’s most personal and emotional films. The Judge is a drama film directed by David Dobkin, co-produced by Robert Downey Jr himself.
The movie follows Hank Palmer, a successful lawyer who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral and ends up defending his estranged father, a judge who is accused of murder. Robert Downey Jr plays Hank Palmer with his usual charisma and wit, but also shows his depth and range as an actor.
He also has a powerful chemistry with Robert Duvall as his father, who delivers an Oscar-nominated performance.
Due Date (2010)
This is one of Robert Downey Jr’s funniest films. Due Date is a comedy film directed by Todd Phillips, who also directed The Hangover (2009).
The movie follows Peter Highman, an expectant father who has to travel across the country with an annoying actor named Ethan Tremblay to make it to his wife’s delivery date.
Along the way, they encounter various mishaps and adventures that test their patience and friendship. Robert Downey Jr plays Peter Highman with his trademark sarcasm and frustration, but also shows his softer side as he bonds with Ethan Tremblay, played by Zach Galifianakis.
Less Than Zero (1987)
Robert Downey Jr plays Julian Wells, a rich kid who spirals into a downward spiral of drug abuse, debt, and prostitution. He delivers a heartbreaking and realistic performance as a young man who is trapped by his addiction and unable to escape.
He also shows his chemistry with Andrew McCarthy as Clay and Jami Gertz as Blair, who try to help him but are also affected by his situation. Robert Downey Jr’s performance as Julian Wells is one of his most powerful and unforgettable roles.
Upcoming Movie
Oppenheimer (2023)
Now that we’ve talked about the 10 best Robert Downey Jr movies let's take a look at his new movie Oppenheimer directed by Christopher Nolan.
The movie is a biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the genius who created the atomic bomb that changed the world.
Robert Downey Jr plays Lewis Strauss, the man who tried to stop him. He was the head of the US Atomic Energy Commission and a fierce opponent of Oppenheimer. He claimed that he was a communist and a traitor and testified against him in a security hearing.
Robert Downey Jr’s transformation for Oppenheimer is stunning. He is unrecognizable with his grey hair and glasses. He is nothing like Tony Stark. But we are eager to see him on the big screen again.
Finally let's look at some of the amazing cast of this movie Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Garry Oldman, Cassey Affleck, Kenneth Branagh, and Jack Quaid.
With this cast surely RDJ’s fans can't wait to see this movie
Conclusion
These are 10 of his best movies that showcase his talent and charm. These are the Robert Downey Jr movies that you should not miss.
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and family who are fans of Robert Downey Jr movies. You can also leave a comment below and let us know what you think of his movies and performances. Thank you for reading