The actor who attracted the most audiences to the cinema in terms of box office receipts, Robert Downey Jr. is one of the biggest stars today. With a career spanning more than four decades as an actor, Downey Jr. has consistently received critical praise for his dramatic talent.
One of the main recognitions came in 2024, when the artist received the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in “Oppenheimer”. However, the star’s career has been marked by ups and downs, including difficult moments in his personal life.
So, how about we remember the actor’s best work? Below, we list the 8 best films with Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr.: The best films
The first film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was not only a milestone for hero films, but also for the career of Robert Downey Jr. With a journey of ups and downs, this role marked the actor’s comeback and established him as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Bringing to life a hitherto little-known comic book character, Downey Jr. fused his personality with the hero and, as a result, received public and critical acclaim for his performance.
In the plot, Tony Stark, a famous industrialist of a technology company, builds a mechanical armor when he is kidnapped by a group of terrorists. Upon returning to the United States, he improves his invention and becomes the superhero Iron Man.
The final chapter of the first great Avengers saga at the cinema tells the final battle between the team of heroes against the forces of Thanos, after the villain had collected all the Infinity Stones in the previous film.
In this film, Downey Jr. plays the final moments of the most beloved and significant character of his career, featuring some of the hero’s iconic scenes in the entire franchise.
A satirical comedy, “Tropical Thunder” follows a group of actors who are filming a war film with an astronomical budget in Southeast Asia. However, they are forced to become real soldiers when they find themselves in a real war situation.
The film was acclaimed for its criticism of the Hollywood film industry. Additionally, Downey Jr.’s performance in this film was highly praised, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In his story he plays a method actor, considered one of the best of his generation, who changed his skin pigmentation to play a black character.
The film is directed by Ben Stiller and, in addition to Downey Jr., stars Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise and Bill Hader.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer” was a critical and commercial success. The film received thirteen Oscar nominations and won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.
Downey Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a real-life figure who was a government official, businessman, naval officer, and one of the original members of the United States Atomic Energy Commission.
The film is a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), a theoretical physicist considered the father of the atomic bomb.
In this biopic, Downey Jr. plays the genius Charlie Chaplin. His performance was widely praised by critics and earned him the BAFTA for Best Actor and his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
The film follows the life and career of British actor and director Charlie Chaplin. The film follows his poor origins in London, his rise to stardom in Hollywood and his tumultuous personal life.
Robert Downey Jr.’s first leading role is in this romantic comedy, where he stars alongside Molly Ringwald. The film is directed by James Toback.
In the plot, Downey Jr. plays a young man who considers himself an “expert in seduction” and often tries to win over women on the street. However, he becomes very interested in a young tour guide (Ringwald) who is unimpressed by his advances.
However, the young woman has to face problems with her alcoholic father who is indebted to the mafia, and the boy decides to help her.
Directed by David Fincher, “Zodiac” is a thriller based on the non-fiction books by Robert Graysmith, a writer and cartoonist known for his work on the case of the Zodiac killer.
Inspired by true events, the film focuses on the investigation and hunt for the Zodiac Killer. The serial killer killed several victims in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1960s and 1970s.
Robert Downey Jr. plays crime reporter Paul Avery. The cast also includes Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo.
In this film, Robert Downey Jr. plays a petty thief who, while fleeing from the police, ends up accidentally breaking into a casting test for an audiovisual production. Unusually, he accidentally passes the test and is sent to Hollywood.
The film is a satirical comedy based on works from the detective, suspense, action and noir genres. The film is directed and written by Shane Black (known for writing the “Lethal Weapon” film series) and also stars Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan and Corbin Bernsen.
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Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
