(Photo by Universal/ courtesy Everett Collection)
Before he became synonymous with playing playboy millionaire rascal Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr. was…a playboy millionaire rascal, but with an Oscar nomination! Born into minor Hollywood royalty, Downey spent his formative ’80s career as a Brat Pack honorary in films like Weird Science and The Pick-Up Artist. An Oscar nomination for playing the titular silent-era legend in Chaplin suggested a watershed moment for Downey and his future career.
Instead, he spent the rest of the ’90s in a maelstrom of wild parties and tabloid headlines as he publicly battled addiction. Early 2000s work in A Scanner Darkly, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Zodiac told the world he was still capable of intriguing work, though, and the marked the early stages of a career comeback.
His tumultuous decades seem like a lifetime ago, simply a precursor to his role today as the Man in the Iron Mark IV. Director Jon Favreau fought hard to get Downey in as star of the first Iron Man, with Marvel Studios literally put up as collateral, and the rest is modern history. Across nearly a dozen appearances in Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, Downey has utterly owned the Tony Stark role, whose redemption arc mirrors the actor’s own in real life. Now, we ranking Robert Downey Jr. movies by Tomatometer! —Alex Vo
#1
Adjusted Score: 98392%
Critics Consensus: This re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Crookback King relocates the story in 1930 and features an indelible star turn for Ian McKellen as the monstrous and magnetic King Richard.
#2
Adjusted Score: 99260%
Critics Consensus: Robert Altman’s ensemble drama deftly integrates its disparate characters and episodes into a funny, poignant, emotionally satisfying whole.
#3
Adjusted Score: 126359%
Critics Consensus: Exciting, entertaining, and emotionally impactful, Avengers: Endgame does whatever it takes to deliver a satisfying finale to Marvel’s epic Infinity Saga.
#4
Adjusted Score: 104757%
Critics Consensus: Powered by Robert Downey Jr.’s vibrant charm, Iron Man turbo-charges the superhero genre with a deft intelligence and infectious sense of fun.
#5
Adjusted Score: 112142%
Critics Consensus: Oppenheimer marks another engrossing achievement from Christopher Nolan that benefits from Murphy’s tour-de-force performance and stunning visuals.
#6
Adjusted Score: 101353%
Critics Consensus: A passionate and concise cinematic civics lesson, Good Night, And Good Luck has plenty to say about today’s political and cultural climate, and its ensemble cast is stellar.
#7
Adjusted Score: 120153%
Critics Consensus: Spider-Man: Homecoming does whatever a second reboot can, delivering a colorful, fun adventure that fits snugly in the sprawling MCU without getting bogged down in franchise-building.
#8
Adjusted Score: 105953%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to a script that emphasizes its heroes’ humanity and a wealth of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies.
#9
Adjusted Score: 114739%
Critics Consensus: Captain America: Civil War begins the next wave of Marvel movies with an action-packed superhero blockbuster boasting a decidedly non-cartoonish plot and the courage to explore thought-provoking themes.
#10
Adjusted Score: 99688%
Critics Consensus: A quiet, dialogue-driven thriller that delivers with scene after scene of gut-wrenching anxiety. David Fincher also spends more time illustrating nuances of his characters and recreating the mood of the ’70s than he does on gory details of murder.
#11
Adjusted Score: 94224%
Critics Consensus: Chef‘s charming cast and sharp, funny script add enough spice to make this feel-good comedy a flavorful — if familiar — treat.
#12
Adjusted Score: 92607%
Critics Consensus: Tongue-in-cheek satire blends well with entertaining action and spot-on performances in this dark, eclectic neo-noir homage.
#13
Adjusted Score: 109934%
Critics Consensus: Avengers: Infinity War ably juggles a dizzying array of MCU heroes in the fight against their gravest threat yet, and the result is a thrilling, emotionally resonant blockbuster that (mostly) realizes its gargantuan ambitions.
#14
Adjusted Score: 91548%
Critics Consensus: With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor, and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder is a triumphant late Summer comedy.
#15
Adjusted Score: 85135%
Critics Consensus: Michael Douglas and Tobey Maguire do wonders in this clever dark comedy.
#16
Adjusted Score: 85120%
Critics Consensus: A witty commentary on modern film-making, with enough jokes to keep it entertaining throughout.
#17
Adjusted Score: 91964%
Critics Consensus: With the help of its charismatic lead, some impressive action sequences, and even a few surprises, Iron Man 3 is a witty, entertaining adventure and a strong addition to the Marvel canon.
#18
Adjusted Score: 90739%
Critics Consensus: Exuberant and eye-popping, Avengers: Age of Ultron serves as an overstuffed but mostly satisfying sequel, reuniting its predecessor’s unwieldy cast with a few new additions and a worthy foe.
#19
Adjusted Score: 78806%
Critics Consensus: A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a lively, powerful coming-of-age tale with winning performances and sharp direction from first-timer Dito Montiel.
#20
Adjusted Score: 82384%
Critics Consensus: It isn’t quite the breath of fresh air that Iron Man was, but this sequel comes close with solid performances and an action-packed plot.
#21
Adjusted Score: 96949%
Critics Consensus: A compelling mystery, social themes, and powerful performances from a pair of well-matched leads make True Believer a legal thriller that definitely passes the bar.
#22
Adjusted Score: 94527%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#23
Adjusted Score: 88577%
Critics Consensus: Back to School gives Rodney Dangerfield plenty of room to riff — and supports the freewheeling funnyman with enough of a story to keep things interesting between punchlines.
#24
Adjusted Score: 76221%
Critics Consensus: Soapdish may not be as addictive as the serialized dramas it’s spoofing, but a talented cast helps make this affectionate sendup feel fresh.
#25
Adjusted Score: 72359%
Critics Consensus: Restoration spins an engaging period yarn out of its bestselling source material, brought to life through the efforts of an eclectic ensemble cast led by Robert Downey Jr.
#26
Adjusted Score: 78457%
Critics Consensus: Guy Ritchie’s directorial style might not be quite the best fit for an update on the legendary detective, but Sherlock Holmes benefits from the elementary appeal of a strong performance by Robert Downey, Jr.
#27
Adjusted Score: 74652%
Critics Consensus: A faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel, A Scanner Darkly takes the viewer on a visual and mind-blowing journey into the author’s conception of a drug-addled and politically unstable world.
#28
Adjusted Score: 68554%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#29
Adjusted Score: 66370%
Critics Consensus: Much like a real-life visit Home for the Holidays, this Thanksgiving-set dramedy can get a little bumpy — but it also has its share of fondly memorable moments.
#30
Adjusted Score: 63689%
Critics Consensus: Chaplin boasts a terrific performance from Robert Downey, Jr. in the title role, but it isn’t enough to overcome a formulaic biopic that pales in comparison to its subject’s classic films.
#31
Adjusted Score: 60786%
Critics Consensus: Though packed with Don DeLillo’s witty dialogue and bolstered by strong performances, particularly by lead Michael Keaton, Game 6 also suffers from uneven direction and overwrought symbolism.
#32
Adjusted Score: 67325%
Critics Consensus: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a good yarn thanks to its well-matched leading men but overall stumbles duplicating the well-oiled thrills of the original.
#33
Adjusted Score: 59803%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#34
Adjusted Score: 61897%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#35
Adjusted Score: 62503%
Critics Consensus: With engaging performances marked by an inconsistent tone, Charlie Bartlett is a mixed bag of clever teen angst comedy and muddled storytelling.
#36
Adjusted Score: 64693%
Critics Consensus: Though it features strong performances by its lead players, a lack of narrative focus prevents The Soloist from hitting its mark.
#37
Adjusted Score: 58092%
Critics Consensus: Hardly in the same league as John Hughes’ other teen movies, the resolutely goofy Weird Science nonetheless gets some laughs via its ridiculous premise and enjoyable performances.
#38
Adjusted Score: 51225%
Critics Consensus: A charismatic array of character actors bring a lot of Heart to this supernatural comedy, but many will find that it heaps on the sentimentality where its Soul should be.
#39
Adjusted Score: 22120%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#40
Adjusted Score: 53501%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#41
Adjusted Score: 51314%
Critics Consensus: A couple of standout performances — notably Robert Downey, Jr. and James Spader — and a killer soundtrack can’t quite elevate a somewhat superficial adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ story of drugged-out LA rich kids.
#42
Adjusted Score: 52487%
Critics Consensus: Two Girls and a Guy has an intriguing premise and a talented trio of leads, but doesn’t do quite enough with any of them to make the end result truly worth a watch.
#43
Adjusted Score: 56698%
Critics Consensus: Solidly cast and beautifully filmed but thoroughly clichéd, The Judge seems destined to preside over a large jurisdiction of the basic cable afternoon-viewing circuit.
#44
Adjusted Score: 50833%
Critics Consensus: Natural Born Killers explodes off the screen with style, but its satire is too blunt to offer any fresh insight into celebrity or crime — pummeling the audience with depravity until the effect becomes deadening.
#45
Adjusted Score: 47011%
Critics Consensus: Shamelessly derivative and only sporadically funny, Due Date doesn’t live up to the possibilities suggested by its talented director and marvelously mismatched stars.
#46
Adjusted Score: 42057%
Critics Consensus: Delightful performance from Robert Downey Jr. can’t save The Singing Detective’s transition from TV to the big screen.
#47
Adjusted Score: 40782%
Critics Consensus: The atmosphere is affecting, and the story, at times, is compelling, but with a lean script and limp direction, Black and White doesn’t add up to much.
#48
Adjusted Score: 36020%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#49
Adjusted Score: 35783%
Critics Consensus: Though Wong’s short lives up to the promise of the title, Antonioni’s is a serious disappointment.
#50
Adjusted Score: 35494%
Critics Consensus: This portrait of a groundbreaking photographer lacks the daring of its subject.
#51
Adjusted Score: 35076%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#52
Adjusted Score: 29104%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#53
Adjusted Score: 32973%
Critics Consensus: Lucky You tries to combine a romantic story with the high-stakes world of poker, but comes up with an empty hand.
#54
Adjusted Score: 31419%
Critics Consensus: A rote albeit well-cast action thriller, U.S. Marshals suffers badly in comparison to the beloved blockbuster that preceded it.
#55
Adjusted Score: 29251%
Critics Consensus: This Disney retread has neither inspiration nor originality, but may please moviegoers under the age of ten.
#56
Adjusted Score: 26352%
Critics Consensus: Some interesting visuals, but the movie is as confusing as a dream.
#57
Adjusted Score: 8776%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#58
Adjusted Score: 30470%
Critics Consensus: Dolittle may be enough to entertain very young viewers, but they deserve better than this rote adaptation’s jumbled story and stale humor.
#59
Adjusted Score: 19311%
Critics Consensus: Berry’s acting talents can’t save Gothika from its preposterous plot and bad dialogue.
#60
Adjusted Score: 4262%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#61
Adjusted Score: 13231%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#62
Adjusted Score: 4844%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#63
Adjusted Score: 396%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Like this? Subscribe to our newsletter and get more features, news, and guides in your inbox every week.