One of the most famous movie stars, Robert Downey Jr. is famous for bringing nuance and emotional depth to his characters. Mostly known for playing Tony Stark in the MCU franchise, Robert Downey Jr. is more than just “Iron Man”. His versatility and incredible talent make watching movies with him a treat for movie-goers with different preferences (action films, historical dramas, James Bond movies , etc.) In this list, we have rounded up five iconic Robert Downey Jr’s movies, that serve as a great showcase of Downey Jr. ‘s acting talent. 

“Chaplin” (1992) 

Portraying a genius comedian with a complicated personal life requires an artistic talent of a big range. In this biopic about Charlie Chaplin Robert Downey Jr. managed to capture all his mannerisms, bring him to life, and deliver a stunning performance. This role was critically acclaimed and brought the young actor his first Academy Award Best Actor nomination. Everyone interested in the real biography of Charlie Chaplin should watch this biopic. Another reason to watch this film is to enjoy one of the greatest performances of RDJ’s career. 

“Hearts and Souls” (1993) 

The titular role of Thomas Reilly in this comedy is perhaps one of the purely charming, kind, and feel-good roles of RDJ. Directed by Ron Underwood, “Hearts and Souls” is a fantastic goofy comedy, which, nevertheless, has a deep meaning. Sometimes death comes quite suddenly, so much so that a person does not have time to do something important. The character of RDJ is saddled with four spirits, but as he grows up, he decides to set them free. 

“Iron Man” (2008) 

Directed by Jon Favreau, this 2008 superhero film was a commercial success and also a defining moment in the career of Robert Downey Jr. The film revolves around Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist who is kidnapped by terrorists. There he secretly creates high-tech “Iron Man” armor that helps him escape. One of the most influential MCU movies, “Iron Man” is somehow special. And due to the performance of JDR the main character is not only a superhero, but a very unique charming personality dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and his own mistakes.

“Sherlock Holmes” (2009) 

Who does not know the most ingenious detective on our planet? Of course, it will be about the famous Sherlock Holmes, who has to investigate a string of brutal murders, outwit Lord Blackwood, and save London from a terrible danger. Directed by Guy Ritchie, this action-mystery film has a lot of special effects, good humor, and a standout cast (Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Marc Strong). The portrayal of the eccentric detective won JDR his second Golden Globe. His showcase of Sherlock Holmes is full of charm, wit, charisma, and a quirky sense of humor. The film was a big commercial success, and two years later, in 2011 Robert Downey Jr. starred in its sequel, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”. 

“The Judge” (2014) 

“The Judge” is a very interesting legal drama, directed by David Dobkin. In this drama, Robert Downey Jr. has played the titular character of the successful big-city lawyer Hank Palmer. According to the scenario, Frank returns to his hometown and gets to know that his mother is dead. There he learns that his estranged father, a local judge, is suspected of murder. The protagonist decides to find out the truth and justify the name of his father. To do it, he has to confront his past. The complex family ties and relations in the town greatly aggravate the situation.

Aside from these iconic films, there are some other movies with Robert Downey Jr. deserving an honorable mention.

• “Less Than Zero” (1987)

• “Natural Born Killers” (1994)

• “Richard III” (1995)

• “Bowfinger” (1999)

• “Wonder Boys” (2000)

• “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005)

• “Good Night, and Good Luck” (2005)

• “Zodiac” (2007)

• “Tropic Thunder” (2008)

• “The Soloist” (2009)

• “The Avengers” (2012)

• “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)

• “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) 

• “Avengers: Endgame” (2019)

• “Oppenheimer” (2023)