The Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies Of All Time

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 26.1K votes 3.5K voters 165.6K views
Over 3.5K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies Of All Time
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Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

Over 3,500 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best Robert Downey Jr. movies. From his early career in cult classics like Weird Science and Chaplin, to blockbusters such as Iron Man and Avengers: Endgame, Downey Jr.'s acting has resonated with viewers worldwide. His combination of humor, emotion and charisma is what makes him one of the most beloved actors of all time.

Sherlock Holmes tops this list as a classic example of RDJ's unique brand of wit and charm - he steals every scene from Jude Law's Watson, often leaving audiences in stitches with his dry delivery. Cross-genre success comes in the form of Tropic Thunder – it's hard not to love RDJ’s drug-addled Aussie method actor Kirk Lazarus who stole the show (and an Oscar nomination). For those looking for something a bit more serious there’s The Judge – where he plays Hank Palmer opposite Robert Duvall’s titular character which earned him critical acclaim across the board.

These are just some examples that make up our ranked list based on fan votes. If you agree or disagree with any ranking on here make sure you vote up your favorites so they can be seen at the top.

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  • Iron Man
    1

    Iron Man

    Robert Downey, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow
    1,759 votes
    • Released: 2008
    • Directed by: Jon Favreau
    Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a genius industrialist and master engineer, builds a powered exoskeleton after a life-threatening incident. The invention transforms him into the armor-clad superhero known as Iron Man. With his new technology, he grapples with his own demons while protecting the world from dangerous threats. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Tony's dedicated assistant, and James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), a military liaison, play pivotal roles in Stark's journey. Directed by Jon Favreau, this action-packed movie won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2009.

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  • The Avengers
    2

    The Avengers

    Robert Downey, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
    1,548 votes
    • Released: 2012
    • Directed by: Joss Whedon
    In The Avengers, the world faces an unprecedented threat. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) are brought together by S.H.I.E.L.D., helmed by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), they form an unlikely team. This action-packed superhero film, marred with tension and conflict amongst its own ranks, sees them battling Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to save humanity. Directed by Joss Whedon, it is a high-stakes blend of adventure and humor that garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards.

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  • Avengers: Infinity War
    3

    Avengers: Infinity War

    Robert Downey, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
    1,055 votes
    • Released: 2018
    • Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
    In Avengers: Infinity War, an action-packed superhero film, an array of Marvel's finest faces a formidable foe. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet - Thanos (Josh Brolin). The despot of intergalactic infamy, Thanos, is on a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones. His aim? To inflict his twisted will on reality. The survival of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain. As stakes reach sky-high, sacrifices must be made. This film is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 91st Academy Awards.

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  • Sherlock Holmes
    4

    Sherlock Holmes

    Robert Downey, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams
    1,523 votes
    • Released: 2009
    • Directed by: Guy Ritchie
    Sherlock Holmes, a gripping detective thriller, plunges you into the foggy lanes of 1890s London. The iconic detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his loyal companion Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) navigate a web of mystery, deception, and danger. From shadowy alleys to opulent mansions, they unravel a plot that threatens the entire city. With wit sharper than any blade and courage unwavering in the face of peril, this dynamic duo battles black magic and brute force alike. Directed by Guy Ritchie, this film is a thrilling ride into the mind of literature's greatest detective.

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  • Avengers: Endgame
    5

    Avengers: Endgame

    Robert Downey, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
    748 votes
    • Released: 2019
    • Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
    In the epic conclusion to Marvel's 22-film saga, Avengers: Endgame sees our heroes, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and the rest of the surviving Avengers, grappling with the aftermath of Thanos's (Josh Brolin) devastating snap. Struggling against despair, they hatch a risky plan to reverse the damage and restore their fallen comrades. This superhero adventure, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, is an ambitious spectacle of narrative complexity and visual effects wizardry. It garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.

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  • Iron Man 3
    6

    Iron Man 3

    Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
    1,372 votes
    • Released: 2013
    • Directed by: Shane Black
    Iron Man 3, an action-packed superhero film, follows the journey of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) as he grapples with his past and future. Post-Avengers, he faces a formidable foe in the form of terrorist Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), while battling his own inner demons. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) return, lending support to Stark's plight. Directed by Shane Black, this third installment won the Saturn Award for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture. It offers a thrilling blend of stark realities and high-tech fantasy, pushing Iron Man to new limits.

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