The best movies of Robert Downey Jr, The Top 20 Movies, Ranked Worst to Best

Robert Downey Jr. should be considered one of the most famous Hollywood stars who gained world fame by playing the role of a superhero like Iron Man.

Robert Downey Jr. is the son of Robert Downey Sr. and an actor named Elsie Downey, who experienced appearing in the cinema very early. He acted in his father’s film when he was only five. Downey Jr. received his first Oscar nomination for playing silent film star Charles Chaplin. Six years later, he was nominated again for his role as Lazarus in Tropical Thunder. He is also a Golden Globe and BAFTA award winner, but this is only part of the achievements of this Hollywood moneymaker.

Robert Downey Jr.’s life has had many ups and downs; however, in recent years, he is one of the famous stars whose films have achieved high sales. In addition to appearing in Tony Stark and Iron Man roles, Downey Jr. has also appeared in other successful series such as Sherlock Holmes and The Avengers. Also, his performance in Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s latest work, was noticed by everyone.

Next, we will introduce some of the best works in which Robert Downey Jr. was present. 

The best films of Robert Downey Jr

 Oppenheimer’s film

Oppenheimer movie

• Genre: biography, drama, historical
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Publication year: 2023
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon
• Oppenheimer’s average score on IMDB: 6.8

After completing his commitment to bring the character of Tony Stark (Iron Man) to life, Downey Jr. starred in Christopher Nolan’s excellent historical drama Oppenheimer and took his career in a completely different direction.

For most of the three-hour film, Downey Jr. plays Louis Strauss, the US Atomic Energy Commission chairman, working closely with other high-profile actors. But at the story’s climax, Downey alone takes center stage; that is when Strauss is trying to maintain his position in the cabinet and masterfully hide his hostility to Oppenheimer and somehow take revenge.

Downey did a great job portraying the emotions of Strauss’s character and gave this role a depth that has not been seen in his other performances.

24- The movie has less than zero

The movie Less Than Zero

• Genre: Crime, Drama
• Director : Mark Kaniowska
• Publication year: 1987
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Andrew McCarthy, and Jamie Gratz
• Average rating of Less Than Zero on IMDB: 4/6

Downey Jr. became a star in this shocking adaptation of the best-selling book by the American author “Bret Easton Ellis.” The story of this film is about three close and rich friends who, after graduating from a high school in Beverly Hills, have each continued on their path. In the meantime, the relationship of these three friends gets involved in issues such as drug addiction.

The film Less Than Zero does not try to play the role of a speaker; on the contrary, it tries to depict the harsh realities of drug addiction and show the viewer how this problem can affect not only the life of the user but also the lives of his relatives and loved ones. Make an impact

23- Bofinger movie

Bowfinger movie

• Genre: Comedy
• Director: Frank Oz
• Publication year: 1999
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Steven Martin, and Eddie Murphy
• Average rating of Bowfinge on IMDB: 6.5

Downey Jr. gives a brief but memorable performance in the hilarious comedy Bofinger. Steve Martin stars as Bobby Bofinger, who wants to make a sci-fi movie starring the world’s biggest star, Eddie Murphy. Nothing could stop Bofinger from making this film, even if it meant making it without the lead star’s knowledge. In Bofinger, Downey Jr. plays Jerry Renfro, the powerful head of the studio to which Bofinger pitched his script.

What makes Bufinger unique is the way it looks at the world of actors and dreamers in the land of Lalaland. Bufinger is not a cruel film but a gentle and loving hymn about the passion that moves even the most untalented people.

22- A house for a vacation movie

Home for the Holidays movie

• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Director: Jodie Foster
• Publication year: 1995
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Holly Hunter and Anne Bancroft
• Average rating of Home For the Holidays on IMDB: 6.5

The movie “Home for the Holidays” depicts the chaos of spending the holidays with the family in an authentic way. As always, Downey Jr. has tried to present his character as alive and honest as possible in this movie.

Holly Hunter stars as Claudia Larson. After losing her job, a woman returns home to celebrate Thanksgiving with a vision of the hard times ahead. Downey Jr. plays his brother Tommy. In this film’s making, they tried to save Tommy’s character from becoming a one-dimensional stereotype. Instead, they created a complex and believable character that shows something beyond his unorthodox tendencies.

21- Soap dish movie

Soapdish movie

• Genre: Comedy, Romance
• Director: Michael Hoffman
• Publication year: 1991
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Sally Field and Kevin Kline
• The average rating of Soapdish on IMDB is 6.6

The story of the soap dish movie is about the funny incidents and controversies behind the scenes of making a TV series.

Downey Jr. stars in this hilarious comedy as a producer who tries to land a more significant role for his favorite actress. Therefore, these two are looking for a way to fire and leave the show’s main star; in the meantime, secrets are revealed that no one expects to hear.

20- Solo movie

The Soloist movie

• Genre: biography, drama, music
• Director: Joe Wright
• Publication year: 2009
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx and Catherine Keener
• The average score of The Soloist on IMDB is 6/7

Taknavaz movie is an inspiring story of unexpected changes and developments in life. At first, this story of how a disillusioned writer and a homeless violinist and musician change each other’s lives may seem a little too sentimental, but director Joe Wright knows his stuff.

Although the film sometimes falls into emotional traps, it quickly lets itself go and successfully continues to tell its profound story. The brilliant performances of Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are other advantages of this movie.

19- Charlie Bartlett movie

Charlie Bartlett movie

• Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
• Director: Jon Paul
• Publication year: 2007
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Anton Yelchin and Hope Davis
• Average rating of Charlie Bartlett on IMDB: 6/9

Charlie Bartlett is the last film released by Robert Downey Jr. that was made before the release of Iron Man, which turned the actor into an undisputed Hollywood superstar.

Charlie Bartlett is an awkward student who enters a new school, where Nathan Gardner (Downey Jr.), as the school principal, tries to find a way to create enthusiasm among the students. Bartlet’s arrival makes things difficult for Gardner because Bartlet comes from a wealthy family but likes to live and study like regular students. Charlie doesn’t want to cause trouble, but Gardner’s policies in the school administration spark animosity between Charlie and Gardner. The young man becomes more popular whenever Gardner punishes or stops Charlie from doing things.

Finally, Charlie Bartlett’s movie is a lovely work worth watching thanks to the beautiful performances of its two main characters, Downey Jr. and the late Yelchin.

18- The film of a dark mover

The movie A Scanner Darkly

• Genre: Comedy, Crime
• Director : Richard Linklater
• Publication year: 2006
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder
• The average score of a scanner darkly on IMDB: 7

The movie “A Dark Wanderer” is based on a novel written by “Philip K. Dick’ was created and depicts a future in which the use of a mind-altering drug called Substance D has become common. Meanwhile, a secret agent named Bob Archer, played by Reeves, is part of a private network of confidential informants equipped with advanced technologies tasked with infiltrating to procure and distribute drugs. However, he becomes addicted to substance D.

Linklater shot the film digitally and then animated it using the rotoscoping technique. This has made the audience enjoy watching an exciting visual experience.

17- The movie Killers by nature

Natural Born Killers movie

• Genre: Action, Crime
• Director: Oliver Stone
• Publication year: 1994
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harleston, and Time Sizemore
• The average rating of Natural Born Killer on IMDB is 2.7

Oliver Stone’s Natural Killers made a lot of noise when it was released. Based on a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, this film follows the story of two deeply damaged people named Mickey and Mellery (Harrelson and Lewis) who, drowning in love for each other, create a massive massacre across the country. Their crime case has attracted the media’s attention, and this is how a journalist played by Downey Jr. goes to the prison to interview Mickey. However, things go differently than expected.

Killers by nature uses the same main characteristics of Stone’s filmmaking style, and the scenes of violence are sometimes so intense that it is unsuitable for everyone to watch. However, this film shows humanity’s fascination with blood and gore, especially when we sometimes see shooting incidents in public places.

16- Wonder Boys movie

Wonder Boys movie

• Genre: Drama, Comedy
• Director: Curtis Hansen
• Publication year: 2000
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Michael Douglas and Tobey Maguire
• The average score of Wonder Boys on IMDB is 2.7

In the movie Wonder Boys, we see one of the best performances of Michael Douglas’ career as English teacher Grady Tripp. A man who, on the one hand, is involved with the problems of his young students (Maguire and Katie Holmes), and on the other hand, he has to deal with the love of his life and, of course, his publisher (Downey Jr.) is also present.

Wonder Boys is one of the good works that uses an honest tone to tell its story. Bob Dylan won an Oscar for performing the original song of this film, while this film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing.

15- Chef movie

Chef movie

• Genre: Comedy, Adventure
• Director : Jon Favreau
• Publication year: 2014
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau and Scarlett Johansson
• Chef’s average rating on IMDB: 3.7

Although the presence of Robert Downey Jr. is influential in the success of the superhero films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the role of the good-natured director Jon Favreau cannot be underestimated. Favreau has a unique perspective on filmmaking that goes beyond Marvel movies. That’s why he returned to his original roots after making a series of Hollywood action movies by creating an independent comedy chef.

The story of this movie is about a heartbroken chef named Carl Kasper who feels limited by the menu provided by the restaurant owner (Dustin Hoffman). That’s why he decided to buy a food truck and travel around the country with his son.

During the film, we see many secondary characters added to the story, and Downey Jr. is one of them. He plays Marvin, a person with a disability who was once married to Carl’s ex-wife (Sofia Vergara). Marvin’s openness surprises Carl and makes him befriend this strange stranger. Marvin’s presence is also necessary for the story’s overall plot because he is the one who offers Carl to buy the food truck.

14- Richard III movie

Richard III movie

• Genre: Drama, Science Fiction, War
• Director: Richard Linkedin
• Publication year: 1995
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Annette Bening, Ian McKellen
• The average score of Richard III on IMDB: 3.7

Among the films adapted from the works of William Shakespeare, Richard III should be considered one of the best examples. The director brings the play to 1930s London and depicts an alternate history in which fascism has swept the country.

Ian McClellan gave one of his best performances in this movie, and Downey Jr. gave an attractive performance as Lord Rivers. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for art direction and costume design. Still, the cast was inexplicably snubbed by the Academy Awards jury.

13- Good night and good luck movie

فیلم Good Night, and Good Luck

• Genre: drama, historical, biography
• Director: George Clooney
• Publication year: 2005
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., George Clooney and Patricia Clarkson
• Average scores of Good Night and Good Luc on IMDB: 4.7

The story of the movie Good Night and Good Luck is related to more than sixty years ago. However, it isn’t easy to differentiate between the events of this movie and what is happening today. This film is the story of the battle between CBS news anchor Edward Murrow and Senator Jack McCarthy, who uses his power to hunt down communists in the United States. In the meantime, the senator doesn’t care if people belong to this party or not. Downey Jr. also plays the character of another network employee, Joseph, who is secretly married to his co-worker, played by Patricia Clarkson.

The film Good Night and Good Luck shows the free press’s efforts to uncover the government’s deceptions. Downey Jr.’s good performance earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. At the same time, the film itself was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

12- The movie Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming movie

• Genre: science fiction, action
• Director: John Watts
• Publication year: 2017
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland and Michael Keaton
• The average score of Spider-Man: Homecoming on IMDB: 7/4

In this Spider-Man-centric reboot, Robert Downey Jr., as Tony Stark, tries to be an excellent mentor to young Peter Parker. The film Spider-Man: Homecoming has a happy and bright atmosphere, and Tom Holland succeeds in bringing the character of Peter Parker to life.

Of course, this film lacks the fun and magnificent effects we saw earlier in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man series. Actually, in the making of this work, there is no attempt to recreate their pure filmmaking style; however, the movie Spider-Man: Homecoming is pleasant enough to attract the attention of the fans of this superhero.

11- The Judge movie

The Judge movie

• Genre: Drama, Crime
• Director: David Dobkin
• Publication year: 2014
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall and Vera Farmiga
• The average rating of The Judge on IMDB: 4.7

Robert Duvall was surprisingly nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Judge. This crime drama is about the strained relationship of a father and son, who now have to find a way to solve their old problems in the middle of a criminal case.

The sure presence of Downey Jr. in this film is one of the best points of this work, which moves this emotional family drama to the court’s legal procedures.

10- The movie Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Movie Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

• Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Action
• Director: Guy Ritchie
• Publication year: 2011
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris and Naomi Rapace
• Average rating of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on IMDB: 4/7

The success of the Sherlock Holmes movie made another movie in this series worth considering. The second film, A Game of Shadows, is the story of Holmes’s tumultuous battle with the infamous but brilliant Professor James Moriarty.

Guy Ritchie once again uses the formula of the previous film. By avoiding the help of Sherlock’s simple analogical reasoning style, he throws him into action to solve the case. Downey Jr. still shines as the charming detective, though the film’s frenetic feel can sometimes be tiresome.

9- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang movie

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang movie

• Genre: Crime, Mystery
• Director : Shaban Black
• Publication year: 2005
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan
• Average rating of Lovesick on IMDB: 7.5

The movie Boss Boss Bang Bang is one of those movies that you can talk about its features and story. Downey Jr. plays Harry Lockhart, an actor who moves from New York to Los Angeles and enlists the help of a detective (Kilmer) to prepare for a specific role. In the meantime, he meets a woman at a party, and from there, the story becomes so complicated that he makes “Raymond Chandler” a finger-to-mouth. Several references are made to this author’s works in the film.

The film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an entertaining work that draws the audience with a unique trick and makes them try hard to solve its many mysteries.

8- Sherlock Holmes movie

Sherlock Holmes movie

• Genre: Adventure, Action, Mystery
• Director: Guy Ritchie
• Publication year: 2009
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams
• Average rating of Sherlock Holmes on IMDB: 7.6

The brilliant presence of Downey Jr. is not only limited to wearing shining armour and trying to save the world, but he has his charm in other roles as well. An example is the role in the film Sherlock Holmes, directed by Guy Ritchie, which looks differently at this iconic detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

You should know that this Sherlock Holmes is not like the one our fathers knew; he is still as bright and has a lot of genius. But just as he uses his brain to solve puzzles, he is also good at brawls and street fights. He reviews the opponent’s moves in advance and appropriately reacts by anticipating his every move.

The movie Sherlock Holmes is a fantastic work full of stunning special effects and dynamic and kinetic action. Downey Jr. won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical for his performance in this film. Therefore, it was not surprising that a few years later, the sequel of this film was made and received attention.

7- Short film clips

Short Cuts movie

• Genre: Drama, Comedy
• Director : Robert Altman
• Publication year: 1993
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Andy McDowell and Julianne Moore
• Average rating of Short Cuts on IMDB: 7/7

Downey Jr. is just one of 22 protagonists in Robert Altman’s epic and intimate Short Cuts. This film is based on the writings of Raymond Carver, the author of short stories. It deals with the lives of several Los Angeles residents who struggle with work, love, death, and loss.

In The Shortcuts, Downey Jr. plays a makeup artist named Bill Bush, and his life story intertwines with other characters in unexpected, funny, and sometimes tragic ways. Altman has succeeded in highlighting the randomness factor of the problems. Surprisingly, although the film won a special award at the Golden Globe Awards, only a few actors were nominated for an Oscar. Altman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director but eventually lost the award to Steven Spielberg for Schindler’s List.

6- The movie Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: Civil War movie

• Genre: science-fiction, action
• Director: Anthony and Joe Russo
• Publication year: 2016
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson
• Average rating of Captain America: Civil War on IMDB: 7/8

In the movie Captain America: Civil War, we see the conflict between the two main characters of the superhero world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who do not agree with each other about monitoring the activities of superheroes. The events of this movie are related to the events after the Age of Ultron and before the Infinity War.

This movie is full of good ideas and acceptable performances. Downey Jr. shines as always in the role of Iron Man.

5- Avengers movie (complete collection)

The film The Avengers series

• Genre: action, science-fiction
• Director: Joss Whedon
• Publication years: 2012-2015-2018 and 2019
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner
• The average rating of The Avengers series on IMDB 8

The Avengers movie series is one of the most popular superhero works that has given more depth and richness to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and strengthened it. Downey Jr. played the role of Tony Stark or Iron Man in this series. In it, he co-starred with other popular Marvel superheroes such as Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Shadow Widow, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Spider-Man, and Ant-Man. Was.

This series depicts the efforts of these heroes to fight against demonic and alien characters and prevent the destruction of the earth and its inhabitants. Although the heroes generally pursue a common goal, each takes separate paths. Ultimately, the most important thing is their unity in facing the common enemy, which we see in this series’s films.

4- Zodiac movie

• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Crime
• Director: David Fincher
• Publication year: 2007
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo
• Average rating of Zodiac on IMDB: 7/7

David Fincher’s Zodiac is one of those rare films that talks about two different things simultaneously and is good at both. On the one hand, the film is a newspaper drama about the efforts of a cartoonist, Gyllenhaal, and a reporter, Downey Jr., to find clues about the famous Zodiac killer. An unknown serial killer who caused terror in Northern California in the late 1960s. On the other hand, this movie depicts a police story with two detectives from San Francisco (Ruffalo and Edwards) trying to track down this unknown killer.

Both parts of the film move in perfect harmony and complement each other well, making this fascinating examination of one of history’s most puzzling mysteries a popular and acceptable work. Downey Jr. gives one of his best performances as Paul Avery, a man whose life is torn apart by the pursuit. So it was strange that Zodiac, with all its charm, was not even nominated for an Oscar, which is unacceptable.

3- Tropical Thunder movie

• Genre: Comedy, War, Action
• Director: Ben Stiller
• Publication year: 2008
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller and Jack Black
• The average rating of Tropic Thunder on IMDB is 1.7

Perhaps, among the films of Robert Downey Jr.’s professional career, we will not find any role more dangerous than the role of “Kirk Lazarus” in the movie Tropical Thunder. It is the story of a group of selfish actors who travel to the jungle to practice for their upcoming role. Meanwhile, Lazarus darkens his skin to play an African-American platoon leader in the Vietnam War. He sinks into the role so much that he feels like a black man.

Lazarus comes to life in the mighty hands of Downey Jr. He becomes a symbol of racial stereotypes and selfishness of movie stars. However, this attractive performance did not stand out against Heath Ledger’s role in The Dark Knight, and Downey Jr. was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

2- Chaplin movie

• Genre: Drama, Comedy, Biography
• Director: Richard Attenborough
• Publication year: 1992
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Geraldine Chaplin, and Paul Reese
• Average rating of Chaplin on IMDB: 7.5

Chaplin is a fascinating biographical drama from Athens, which, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the life of Charlie Chaplin, the director and star of films such as “City Lights,” “Gold Diggers,” “New Age” and “The Great Dictator.”

Downey Jr. had a significant presence in this movie as Charlie Chaplin. Not only did he look remarkably similar to this silent film legend, but he also succeeded in portraying the incredible spirit and charm that made him one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Of course, this film also paid attention to the dark part of Chaplin’s life, to the sadness that guided his genius. From the story of his mentally challenged mother, played by Geraldine Chaplin, to his romantic troubles with young women, all of which affected his life somehow.

Downey Jr.’s charming performance in this film brought him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He was also nominated for an Oscar, although in the end, Al Pacino won the award for his role in the film “Scent of a Woman.”

1- Iron Man movie (all three movies)

• Genre: action, science-fiction, adventure
• Director : Jon Favreau
• Publication years: 2008-2010 and 2013
• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Brolin,
• Average rating of Iron Man on IMDB: 7/9

Fifteen years ago, Marvel Studios launched its idea to dominate the world movie market with the release of Iron Man, and it was an inspiring start. Downey Jr. shined in the role of Tony Stark, a narcissistic billionaire and, of course, a genius. Jon Favreau also created a witty, entertaining, and exciting atmosphere. He allowed his star to roam freely in that shiny red armor.

The appeal of Iron Man was such that we saw the creation of two more sequels. At the same time, the character Tony Stark appeared in other popular Marvel series such as Spider-Man, Avengers, and Captain America. However, one must accept that the first Iron Man film is one of the best superhero films. This work owes its popularity mainly to the charisma and charm of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.

Finally, what is your opinion about the best film of Robert Downey Jr.’s career? Which of his performances do you consider more worthy of the title of the best? As always, we are eager to hear your opinions and views. Be sure to share them with us and your other friends; thanks.