The beloved Tony Stark/Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. is making a comeback – not as a superhero but as a supervillain.
Spanning a warm career that has garnered his movies more than $14billion globally, he is one of the top-grossing actors ever. Time magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. His acting journey began at the age of five in his father's 1970 film ‘Pound.’ Over the years, he has garnered numerous accolades, including BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Yes, we're talking about none other than Robert Downey Jr., who is making a sensational comeback. The long adored actor, who spent more than a decade wowing audiences as the formidable Iron Man himself will soon be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Victor von Doom. Downey will appear as Dr. Doom in the forthcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ slated for release in May 2026 and ‘Avenger: Secret Wars’ to be released the following year. In the meantime, let us take a look back at some of his most essential films that have made his career as unforgettable as it has been.
‘Chaplin’ is a biographical comedy-drama film about the life of Charlie Chaplin, an English comic actor and filmmaker. The film is directed and produced by Richard Attenborough and features an all-star ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Dan Aykroyd, Penelope Ann Miller and Kevin Kline. Charlie Chaplin's own daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, plays the role of his mother, Hannah Chaplin. The screenplay, adapted by William Boyd, Bryan Forbes, and William Goldman, is based on Chaplin's 1964 autobiography ‘My Autobiography’ and the 1985 book ‘Chaplin: His Life and Art.’ Downey's portrayal of Chaplin received widespread critical acclaim, earning him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ is a neo-noir black comedy crime film written and directed by Shane Black in his directorial debut. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, and Corbin Bernsen. The script, which playfully interprets the classic hard boiled literary genre, is partially based on Brett Halliday's 1941 novel ‘Bodies Are Where You Find Them.’ The film was well-received by critics and grossed $15 million worldwide.
‘Zodiac’ is a mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by James Vanderbilt. Based on the nonfiction books ‘Zodiac’ and ‘Zodiac Unmasked’ by Robert Graysmith, the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr., with supporting roles by Anthony Edwards, Brian Cox, Elias Koteas, Donal Logue, John Carroll Lynch, Chloë Sevigny, Philip Baker Hall, and Dermot Mulroney. ‘Zodiac’ was nominated for several awards, including the Saturn Award for Best Action, Adventure or Thriller Film, and it grossed over $84.7 million worldwide.
This film is a must for the list. The iconic superhero movie, ‘Iron Man,’ based on the Marvel Comics character, is the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and was directed by Jon Favreau. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, alongside Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, and Shaun Toub. It grossed over $585 million, making it the eighth-highest grossing film of 2008. The American Film Institute also selected it as one of the ten best films of the year.
‘The Soloist’ is a drama film directed by Joe Wright, featuring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. The story is inspired by the real-life experiences of Nathaniel Ayers, a gifted musician who struggles with schizophrenia and homelessness. Downey joins forces with Oscar winner Jamie Foxx in this moving drama, where both actors skillfully depict the vulnerability and sensitivity of two individuals facing personal challenges. The film promises to be an emotional journey, evoking both tears and cheers from the audience.
