Robert Downey Jr. is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, with a movie career spanning more than five decades. He made his screen debut as a child in his father Robert Downey Sr.’s Pound in 1970 and gradually established himself through a mixture of teen comedies, dramas, independent films, and major studio productions. His portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin (1992) became a major career milestone, earning him an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor. After a difficult period in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Downey returned to leading-film status with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Zodiac, and especially Iron Man, which transformed him into one of the defining stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His later film work includes Sherlock Holmes, Tony Stark/Iron Man, Dr. John Dolittle, and Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
The following Robert Downey Jr movies by year list focuses on officially released feature films and also identifies documentaries, cameos, voice performances, archival appearances, and other non-standard movie credits where applicable. Upcoming or unreleased projects are not included.
1970 — Pound
Pound marked Robert Downey Jr.’s film debut when he was only five years old. Directed by his father, Robert Downey Sr., the experimental comedy is set inside an animal pound where the characters are portrayed as dogs awaiting adoption. Downey appeared as a puppy, making this an unusually early beginning to one of Hollywood’s longest acting careers.
1972 — Greaser’s Palace
Robert Downey Jr. appeared as a small boy in Robert Downey Sr.’s surreal western comedy Greaser’s Palace. His appearance was uncredited and came while he was still a child. The film became known for its unconventional blend of Western imagery, religious satire, absurdist humor, and experimental filmmaking, making it another unusual early entry in Downey’s filmography.
1975 — Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight
Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight was an experimental film directed by Robert Downey Sr. and is a re-edited version of his 1975 work Moment to Moment, also known as Jive. Robert Downey Jr. had an uncredited appearance as himself in this unconventional, sketch-like production. The film is particularly notable for its Dadaist style and its connection to his father’s underground filmmaking career, rather than being a conventional narrative feature.
1980 — Up the Academy
Up the Academy is a military-school comedy directed by Robert Downey Sr. and featuring a young Robert Downey Jr. in an uncredited appearance. He is listed as a boy on the soccer team in the film’s credits and filmography records. The movie follows four students whose rebellious behavior clashes with the rigid rules of a fictional military academy.
1983 — Baby It’s You
In Baby It’s You, Downey played Stewart in John Sayles’ coming-of-age romantic drama. Set in New Jersey during the 1960s, the film follows the relationship between a middle-class girl and a working-class new student. The movie gave Downey one of his early substantial credited film roles before he became associated with the young Hollywood scene of the 1980s.
1984 — Firstborn
Firstborn cast Downey as Lee in a family drama directed by Michael Apted. The story centers on a teenager struggling to protect his family after his mother begins dating a controlling new boyfriend. The film also featured Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Duvall, and Peter Weller, giving Downey an opportunity to work alongside established performers early in his career.
1985 — Tuff Turf
Downey played Jimmy Parker in Tuff Turf, a teen crime drama directed by Fritz Kiersch. The movie follows a rebellious teenager who moves to a new neighborhood and becomes involved with a street gang and a complicated romance. James Spader and Kim Richards also appeared in the film, which helped Downey establish himself within the youth-oriented movies of the mid-1980s.
1985 — Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Downey made an uncredited appearance as a punk party crasher in Girls Just Want to Have Fun. The musical romantic comedy stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt and centers on teenagers competing in a televised dance competition. Downey’s role is brief, making it a minor but officially documented entry in his early movie career.
1985 — Weird Science
In John Hughes’ Weird Science, Downey played Ian, one of the arrogant teenagers who torment the central characters. The science-fiction comedy follows two socially awkward teenagers who use a computer to create a seemingly perfect woman. The film became a cult favorite and is one of the best-known examples of Downey’s early 1980s comedy work.
1986 — Back to School
Back to School featured Downey as Derek, a college student caught up in the comic adventures of Rodney Dangerfield’s wealthy character. Directed by Alan Metter, the comedy follows a successful businessman who enrolls in college to support his son. Downey was part of an ensemble that included Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Keith Gordon, and Terry Farrell.
1986 — America
Downey appeared as Paulie Hackley in America, an experimental satirical film directed by his father. The movie uses an unconventional mixture of comedy, political commentary, interviews, and fictional material to examine American society. It remains a less widely seen entry in Downey’s early filmography but is important for its connection to Robert Downey Sr.’s distinctive filmmaking style.
1987 — The Pick-up Artist
Downey took the lead role of Jack Jericho in James Toback’s romantic comedy The Pick-up Artist. Jack is a young New York teacher and compulsive womanizer whose carefully practiced approach to dating becomes complicated when he falls for Randy Jensen, played by Molly Ringwald. The film also featured Dennis Hopper and Danny Aiello and represented one of Downey’s first prominent leading roles.
1987 — Less Than Zero
In Less Than Zero, Downey delivered one of his most important performances of the decade as Julian Wells. Directed by Marek Kanievska and based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, the drama follows young people from wealthy Los Angeles families as they become caught in addiction and destructive relationships. Downey’s troubled character became an early example of the intense dramatic performances that would later define important parts of his career.
1987 — Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam is a documentary rather than a conventional narrative feature. Downey contributed a voice performance to the Bill Couturié-directed film, which uses letters written by American service members alongside archival footage to portray the Vietnam War. His appearance belongs in the filmography as a non-standard voice role rather than a traditional on-screen character.
1988 — Johnny Be Good
Downey played Leo Wiggins in Johnny Be Good, a sports comedy directed by Bud S. Smith. The movie follows a highly recruited high-school football player who faces pressure from colleges, coaches, recruiters, friends, and family as he considers his future. Downey appeared alongside Anthony Michael Hall, Uma Thurman, and Paul Gleason in another major teen-oriented production of the period.
1988 — Rented Lips
In Rented Lips, Downey played Wolf Dangler, a flamboyant method actor working in the adult-film industry. Directed by Robert Downey Sr. and starring Martin Mull, the comedy follows a filmmaker attempting to complete competing film projects. Downey’s role gave him another opportunity to work with his father while demonstrating his growing ability to handle eccentric comedy.
1988 — 1969
1969 starred Downey as Ralph Carr, a young man whose life is shaped by the social and political turmoil surrounding the Vietnam War. Ernest Thompson wrote and directed the drama, with Kiefer Sutherland playing Ralph’s friend Scott and Winona Ryder appearing as Beth. The film combines coming-of-age themes with questions about war, family, political division, and changing American attitudes.
1989 — That’s Adequate
That’s Adequate is a satirical mockumentary about a fictional Hollywood studio and its bizarre history. Downey appears as Albert Einstein in one of the movie’s deliberately absurd fictional film sequences, making his contribution closer to a comedic cameo than a conventional dramatic performance. Directed by Harry Hurwitz, the movie also featured Tony Randall, James Coco, Jerry Stiller, and Bruce Willis.
1989 — True Believer
Downey starred as young lawyer Roger Baron in True Believer, a legal drama directed by Joseph Ruben. James Woods plays an idealistic but disillusioned attorney who takes on a difficult murder case, while Downey’s character becomes an important part of his legal team. The film is notable as one of Downey’s strongest serious performances before his breakthrough in Chaplin.
1989 — Chances Are
In Chances Are, Downey played Alex Finch, a young man caught in a romantic fantasy involving reincarnation. The romantic comedy was directed by Emile Ardolino and starred Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O’Neal, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Christopher McDonald. Downey’s performance demonstrated his versatility by moving from darker dramatic material into a more traditional romantic comedy.
1990 — Air America
Downey starred opposite Mel Gibson in Air America, an action-comedy directed by Roger Spottiswoode. He played Billy Covington, a pilot who becomes involved with a covert airline operation during the Vietnam War. The film combines aerial action, political satire, and buddy-comedy elements and marked Downey’s first major film of the 1990s.
1991 — Too Much Sun
Too Much Sun is a comedy directed by Robert Downey Sr. in which Downey Jr. plays Reed Richmond. The film centers on an unconventional wealthy family and the complicated relationships surrounding its members. Although it is less prominent than Downey’s later work, it remains part of his officially released early-1990s feature film record.
1991 — Soapdish
Downey played television actor David Seton Barnes in Soapdish, a comedy directed by Michael Hoffman. The film satirizes the exaggerated rivalries, romances, betrayals, and backstage politics of a daytime soap opera. Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Robert Duvall, Whoopi Goldberg, and Elisabeth Shue were among the ensemble cast, with Downey contributing one of the film’s comic performances.
1992 — Chaplin
Chaplin became one of the defining films of Downey’s early career, with the actor portraying legendary comedian and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the biographical drama traces Chaplin’s life from his difficult childhood through his rise in silent cinema and later career. Downey received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, making the performance a major critical milestone.
1993 — Heart and Souls
In Heart and Souls, Downey played Thomas Reilly, a man who develops an unusual connection with four ghosts from a tragic event. Directed by Ron Underwood, the romantic fantasy comedy combines supernatural elements with themes of friendship, love, regret, and unfinished business. The film gave Downey a central role in a lighter production following the dramatic intensity of Chaplin.
1993 — The Last Party
The Last Party is a feature documentary co-written by and starring Downey. Directed by Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, it follows the political atmosphere surrounding the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign through interviews, commentary, satire, and Downey’s personal observations. It is a non-standard entry in his filmography because he appears as himself while also receiving a writing credit.
1993 — Short Cuts
Robert Altman’s Short Cuts featured Downey as Bill Bush, one of several interconnected characters in the ensemble drama. Inspired by the short stories of Raymond Carver, the film examines relationships, accidents, secrets, violence, and ordinary life in Los Angeles. Downey appeared alongside an unusually large cast that included Julianne Moore, Tim Robbins, Jack Lemmon, and Frances McDormand.
1994 — Hail Caesar
In Hail Caesar, Downey played Jerry, an aspiring actor caught up in the eccentric world of independent filmmaking. Directed by Anthony Michael Hall, the comedy features a chaotic mixture of show-business satire and character-driven humor. The film is one of the lesser-known titles from Downey’s mid-1990s period but remains an official feature credit.
1994 — Natural Born Killers
Downey portrayed sensationalist television journalist Wayne Gale in Oliver Stone’s controversial crime film Natural Born Killers. The movie follows Mickey and Mallory Knox, played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, as their violent exploits become a media spectacle. Downey’s performance satirizes tabloid journalism and television’s fascination with violence, giving him a memorable supporting role in a highly debated film.
1994 — Only You
Only You is a romantic comedy in which Downey plays Peter Wright opposite Marisa Tomei. Directed by Norman Jewison, the story follows a woman who believes fate has identified her ideal romantic partner and travels to Italy in pursuit of him. Downey’s role allowed him to return to romantic-comedy territory while working with a cast that included Bonnie Hunt and Joaquim de Almeida.
1995 — Home for the Holidays
Downey played Tommy Larson in Jodie Foster’s family comedy-drama Home for the Holidays. The film follows a woman returning to her family home for Thanksgiving and confronting the complicated personalities and tensions of relatives. Downey’s role is part of an ensemble that includes Holly Hunter, Robert Duvall, Anne Bancroft, Dylan McDermott, and Foster.
1995 — Richard III
In Richard III, Downey played the Earl Rivers in Richard Loncraine’s stylized adaptation of Shakespeare’s history play. Ian McKellen stars as Richard, with the production relocating the political conflict into an imagined 1930s fascist-era Britain. Downey’s appearance placed him in a distinguished Shakespearean ensemble alongside McKellen, Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent, and Maggie Smith.
1995 — Restoration
Downey starred as Robert Merivel in Restoration, a period drama directed by Michael Hoffman. The story follows a young physician whose ambitions and relationships lead him into the court of King Charles II, where he becomes caught between privilege, medicine, love, and personal conscience. The film featured Hugh Grant, Meg Ryan, Sam Neill, Ian McKellen, and David Thewlis and remains one of Downey’s notable period-film performances.
1996 — Danger Zone
Danger Zone is an action thriller in which Downey plays Jim Scott. Directed by Allan Eastman, the film follows an engineer who becomes involved in dangerous political and criminal activity connected to a conflict in Africa. It is one of the more obscure feature films in Downey’s 1990s filmography and is important primarily for documenting his continued work across different genres during the decade.
1997 — One Night Stand
Downey played Charlie in Mike Figgis’ relationship drama One Night Stand. Wesley Snipes and Nastassja Kinski lead the story of two married people whose brief encounter creates complicated consequences for their relationships. Downey’s role is part of the supporting ensemble in a film focused on intimacy, marriage, loyalty, and emotional uncertainty.
1997 — Two Girls and a Guy
In Two Girls and a Guy, Downey played Blake Allen, a struggling actor caught between two women who believe they are in relationships with him. Directed by James Toback, the film uses a relatively contained setup to explore deception, romance, jealousy, and emotional manipulation. Downey’s performance carries much of the movie’s tension as Blake’s carefully maintained lies begin to collapse.
1997 — Hugo Pool
Hugo Pool featured Downey in an ensemble cast led by Cathy Moriarty, Sean Penn, and Patrick Dempsey. The film was directed by Robert Downey Sr. and centers on a young woman whose work cleaning swimming pools brings her into contact with a collection of eccentric characters. Downey’s participation makes the film another notable father-and-son collaboration in his career.
1998 — The Gingerbread Man
Downey starred as lawyer Clyde Pell in Robert Altman’s legal thriller The Gingerbread Man. Based on a John Grisham story, the film follows a lawyer whose relationship with a troubled woman draws him into a dangerous case involving her family. Kenneth Branagh, Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger, and Embeth Davidtz were among the principal cast members, with Downey at the center of the story.
1998 — U.S. Marshals
In U.S. Marshals, Downey played Special Agent John Royce, joining Tommy Lee Jones and Wesley Snipes in the action thriller. The film is a spin-off of The Fugitive and follows U.S. Marshals pursuing a fugitive while uncovering a larger conspiracy. Downey’s character works within the federal law-enforcement team and adds another layer of tension to the chase.
1999 — In Dreams
Downey appeared in Neil Jordan’s psychological thriller In Dreams as Vivian Thompson. Annette Bening stars as a woman experiencing disturbing visions that appear connected to a series of crimes and a missing child. Downey’s supporting performance contributes to the film’s unsettling atmosphere and reflects his willingness to take on darker material during the late 1990s.
1999 — Friends & Lovers
Friends & Lovers is an ensemble comedy-drama featuring Downey as Hans. The film explores friendship, romantic relationships, and the complications that arise when a group of friends becomes entangled in one another’s personal lives. Downey appeared alongside Stephen Baldwin, Claudia Schiffer, and other members of the ensemble in this relatively low-profile late-1990s production.
1999 — Bowfinger
Downey played Jerry Renfro in Frank Oz’s Hollywood satire Bowfinger. The movie follows a struggling filmmaker, played by Steve Martin, who tries to make a movie by secretly filming a famous actor without his knowledge. Eddie Murphy plays both the targeted star and his look-alike brother, while Downey contributes a supporting performance to the film’s comedy about the movie business.
1999 — Black and White
In James Toback’s Black and White, Downey played Terry Donager. The crime drama examines a group of wealthy Manhattan teenagers fascinated by hip-hop culture and their complicated relationships with musicians, police, and adults around them. The film featured Ben Stiller, Elijah Wood, Gaby Hoffmann, Brooke Shields, and Claudia Schiffer alongside Downey.
2000 — Wonder Boys
Wonder Boys featured Downey as literary agent Terry Crabtree in Curtis Hanson’s acclaimed comedy-drama. Michael Douglas stars as a troubled university professor and novelist whose personal and professional problems spiral during a chaotic weekend. Downey’s witty supporting performance became one of the strongest parts of the film and marked an important step toward his eventual career resurgence.
2003 — The Singing Detective
After a difficult period away from major movie work, Downey returned to the screen in The Singing Detective. Directed by Keith Gordon, the film follows Dan Dark, a hospitalized mystery novelist whose illness blurs the boundaries between reality, imagination, and his fictional stories. Downey’s central performance was an important part of his professional comeback and helped demonstrate that he could again carry demanding leading roles.
2003 — Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin
Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin is a documentary examining the life and career of Charlie Chaplin. Downey appeared as himself and discussed his earlier portrayal of Chaplin in the 1992 biographical film. Because this is a documentary appearance rather than a fictional acting role, it is best classified as a non-standard movie credit.
2003 — Gothika
In Gothika, Downey played Dr. Pete Graham opposite Halle Berry and Penélope Cruz. Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, the supernatural psychological thriller follows a psychiatrist who wakes up in her own institution accused of murdering her husband. Downey’s character becomes an important figure in the mystery surrounding the strange events inside the psychiatric hospital.
2004 — Eros
Eros is an anthology film directed by Wong Kar-wai, Steven Soderbergh, and Michelangelo Antonioni. Downey appears as Nick Penrose in Soderbergh’s segment, “Equilibrium,” which explores desire, therapy, memory, and romantic obsession. Because the movie consists of three separate stories from different directors, Downey’s role is limited to one segment rather than the entire feature.
2005 — Game 6
Downey played theater critic Steven Schwimmer in Game 6, a comedy-drama directed by Michael Hoffman. The film follows a playwright whose new play is opening on the same night as a crucial baseball game, creating a comic crisis of confidence and distraction. The project was notable as part of Downey’s return to feature-film work after his period away from Hollywood’s mainstream productions.
2005 — Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
In Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Downey played Harry Lockhart, a small-time thief who accidentally becomes involved in a Hollywood movie and a real murder investigation. Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan co-starred in the fast-moving mystery comedy, which mixes film noir, crime, action, and dark humor. The movie became particularly important to Downey’s career because its success helped position him for the larger comeback that followed.
2005 — The Outsider
The Outsider is a feature documentary directed by Nicholas Jarecki about filmmaker James Toback and the production of When Will I Be Loved. Downey appears as himself alongside Toback, Roger Ebert, Woody Allen, Neve Campbell, and other film personalities. His appearance is documentary participation rather than a fictional acting role, so it should not be confused with his narrative features from the same period.
2005 — Good Night, and Good Luck.
Downey portrayed CBS journalist Joseph Wershba in George Clooney’s historical drama Good Night, and Good Luck. The film focuses on journalist Edward R. Murrow and his confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the era of anti-communist investigations. Downey’s performance helped reinforce his return to serious adult drama and placed him in an ensemble featuring Clooney, David Strathairn, and Patricia Clarkson.
2005 — Hubert Selby Jr.: It’ll Be Better Tomorrow
This documentary about writer Hubert Selby Jr. was narrated by Robert Downey Jr. Directed by Michael W. Dean and Kenneth Shiffrin, it examines Selby’s life and literary career through interviews and archival material. Downey’s contribution is strictly a narration role, making this another non-standard documentary appearance in his filmography.
2006 — A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
Downey played the adult Dito Montiel in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, directed by Montiel and based on his memoir. The drama moves between Dito’s adult life and his turbulent youth in Astoria, Queens, with Shia LaBeouf playing the younger version of the character. The film became an important independent drama for Downey and earned strong attention for its ensemble performances.
2006 — The Shaggy Dog
In the family comedy The Shaggy Dog, Downey played Dr. Kozak, a scientist conducting experiments involving animals and genetic mutation. Directed by Brian Robbins and starring Tim Allen, the film follows a man who is transformed into a dog after exposure to a mysterious biological substance. Downey’s eccentric scientist serves as one of the movie’s principal antagonistic figures.
2006 — A Scanner Darkly
Downey supplied the voice performance for James Barris in Richard Linklater’s animated science-fiction thriller A Scanner Darkly. Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel, the movie follows an undercover narcotics officer whose identity becomes increasingly unstable in a near-future America affected by a dangerous drug. The rotoscoped animation and ensemble cast, including Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, and Woody Harrelson, made the film distinctive within Downey’s filmography.
2006 — Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus
Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus featured Downey as Lionel Sweeney opposite Nicole Kidman as photographer Diane Arbus. Directed by Steven Shainberg, the film is a fictionalized interpretation of Arbus’s life and artistic development rather than a conventional biography. Downey’s character, a mysterious man associated with the marginalized world that inspires Arbus, gives the movie much of its surreal and romantic atmosphere.
2007 — Zodiac
Downey played journalist Paul Avery in David Fincher’s Zodiac, a meticulous crime thriller about the search for the unidentified Zodiac Killer. Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo co-star as figures whose investigations become increasingly consuming over many years. Downey’s portrayal of Avery added a complicated human dimension to the story and was widely regarded as one of the strongest performances of his comeback period.
2007 — Lucky You
Downey made a cameo as Telephone Jack in Curtis Hanson’s poker drama Lucky You. The film stars Eric Bana as a professional poker player caught between a major tournament and a complicated romantic relationship with Drew Barrymore’s character. Downey’s appearance is brief and should be treated as a cameo rather than a leading or supporting feature role.
2007 — Charlie Bartlett
In Charlie Bartlett, Downey played Nathan Gardner, the troubled principal of a private high school. Directed by Jon Poll, the comedy-drama follows a wealthy teenager who becomes an unofficial counselor to his classmates after transferring to a public school. Downey’s character provides a more grounded adult perspective as the story explores teenage identity, family problems, and social pressure.
2008 — Iron Man
Iron Man transformed Downey’s career when he took on the role of Tony Stark, the billionaire inventor who becomes the armored superhero Iron Man. Directed by Jon Favreau and featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrence Howard, the film launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a major interconnected movie franchise. Downey’s performance became closely identified with Stark and established one of the most commercially successful character portrayals in modern superhero cinema.
2008 — The Incredible Hulk
Downey made an uncredited cameo as Tony Stark at the end of The Incredible Hulk. Directed by Louis Leterrier and starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, the Marvel film follows Banner as he attempts to control his transformation while being pursued by the U.S. military. Downey’s brief appearance connected the film to Iron Man and helped establish the shared-universe approach that became central to the MCU.
2008 — Tropic Thunder
Downey played Australian method actor Kirk Lazarus in Ben Stiller’s Hollywood satire Tropic Thunder. Lazarus undergoes an extreme transformation for a war movie within the movie, allowing Downey to parody the excesses of method acting and Hollywood celebrity culture. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and became one of his most acclaimed comedic roles.
2009 — Sherlock Holmes
Downey took on the title role in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, portraying Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective as an energetic, eccentric, and physically capable investigator. Jude Law played Dr. John Watson, while Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong rounded out the principal cast. The action-mystery film emphasized Holmes’s analytical abilities while adding large-scale adventure and became another major commercial success for Downey.
2009 — The Soloist
In The Soloist, Downey played Los Angeles Times journalist Steve Lopez opposite Jamie Foxx. Directed by Joe Wright, the drama is based on the true story of Lopez’s relationship with Nathaniel Ayers, a gifted musician living with homelessness and mental illness. The film gave Downey a grounded dramatic role after his superhero and comedy successes and highlighted his ability to lead a character-driven story.
2010 — Iron Man 2
Downey returned as Tony Stark/Iron Man in Iron Man 2, directed again by Jon Favreau. The sequel introduces new threats including Ivan Vanko, played by Mickey Rourke, while expanding Stark’s relationship with Pepper Potts and introducing Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson. The movie further developed Stark’s personality and positioned him more directly within the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2010 — Due Date
In Todd Phillips’ road comedy Due Date, Downey played architect Peter Highman, who is forced into an increasingly chaotic cross-country journey with Zach Galifianakis’ character. The movie combines buddy comedy, road-movie conventions, and escalating misunderstandings as Peter attempts to reach Los Angeles before the birth of his child. It offered Downey a mainstream comedy role outside the Marvel franchise.
2010 — Love & Distrust
Love & Distrust is an anthology film consisting of several short stories about relationships and emotional complications. Downey appears as Rob in the segment “Auto Motives,” making this a segment-based rather than conventional full-feature performance. His appearance is therefore best identified as an anthology role within the larger film.
2011 — Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Downey reprised Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, again directed by Guy Ritchie. This sequel brings Holmes into direct conflict with Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris, while Jude Law returns as Watson. The film expands the first movie’s action and international scope and became another major global success for Downey.
2012 — The Avengers
Downey joined an ensemble of Marvel superheroes in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. As Tony Stark/Iron Man, he shares the screen with Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner as the team confronts Loki and an alien invasion. The movie became a landmark superhero crossover and demonstrated how Downey’s Stark could anchor a much larger ensemble.
2013 — Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 reunited Downey with director Shane Black, who brought a more personal tone to Tony Stark’s story. The film explores Stark’s anxiety and vulnerability following the events of The Avengers while confronting the mysterious Mandarin and Aldrich Killian. It became one of the highest-grossing films of 2013 and completed Downey’s original Iron Man trilogy.
2014 — Chef
Downey made a cameo as Marvin in Jon Favreau’s food-centered comedy-drama Chef. Favreau stars as a chef rebuilding his career through a food truck after a public professional setback, while Downey appears in a supporting scene involving the protagonist’s business plans. The brief role continued Downey’s working relationship with Favreau after the Iron Man films.
2014 — The Judge
Downey starred as attorney Hank Palmer in The Judge, a courtroom family drama directed by David Dobkin. Hank returns to his hometown after learning that his estranged father, played by Robert Duvall, is accused of murder. The film allowed Downey to step away from superhero spectacle and focus on a complicated father-son relationship and a demanding legal case.
2015 — Avengers: Age of Ultron
Downey returned as Tony Stark in Avengers: Age of Ultron, directed by Joss Whedon. Stark’s attempt to create a global defense system contributes to the emergence of Ultron, forcing the Avengers to confront the consequences of artificial intelligence and their own decisions. The film expanded Stark’s role within the team while introducing major characters including Wanda Maximoff and Vision.
2016 — Captain America: Civil War
In Captain America: Civil War, Downey’s Tony Stark becomes one of the central figures in a political and personal conflict within the Avengers. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film pits Stark against Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, over government oversight of superheroes. The movie is notable for turning a superhero team conflict into a deeply personal confrontation while also introducing Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to the MCU.
2016 — The Nice Guys
Downey made an extremely brief uncredited cameo in Shane Black’s The Nice Guys as the corpse of Sid Shattuck. The neo-noir action comedy stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as mismatched private investigators investigating a disappearance and a larger conspiracy in 1970s Los Angeles. Downey’s cameo is deliberately easy to miss and is best classified as a non-standard appearance rather than a conventional supporting role.
2017 — Spider-Man: Homecoming
Downey appeared as Tony Stark in Spider-Man: Homecoming, helping introduce Tom Holland’s Peter Parker into the broader MCU. Directed by Jon Watts, the film follows Peter as he balances high-school life with his growing responsibilities as Spider-Man while confronting the Vulture, played by Michael Keaton. Stark acts as a mentor figure, connecting the young hero’s story to the larger Avengers world.
2018 — Avengers: Infinity War
In Avengers: Infinity War, Downey reprised Tony Stark as the Avengers and their allies face Thanos, played by Josh Brolin. The film was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and brought together characters from across the MCU in an unprecedented ensemble. Stark’s journey becomes increasingly personal as the heroes attempt to prevent Thanos from obtaining all six Infinity Stones.
2019 — Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame brought Downey’s principal MCU journey as Tony Stark/Iron Man to a dramatic conclusion. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film follows the surviving Avengers as they attempt to reverse the devastation caused by Thanos and restore those who disappeared. Downey’s performance became one of the defining elements of the film, particularly as Stark confronts the personal cost of saving the universe.
2019 — Spider-Man: Far From Home
Downey received an uncredited posthumous-style presence in Spider-Man: Far From Home through archive footage of Tony Stark. The Jon Watts-directed sequel follows Peter Parker after the events of Endgame as he encounters Quentin Beck, also known as Mysterio. Downey does not return for newly filmed scenes, so this should be identified specifically as an archival appearance rather than a conventional acting role.
2020 — Dolittle
Downey starred as Dr. John Dolittle in the fantasy adventure Dolittle, directed by Stephen Gaghan. The film reimagines the famous physician as a man who can communicate with animals and embarks on an extraordinary journey after the queen of England becomes ill. The large voice cast includes Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Octavia Spencer, and Tom Holland.
2022 — Sr.
Sr. is a documentary about Robert Downey Sr., Downey Jr.’s father and filmmaker. Directed by Chris Smith, the film explores their family relationship, Downey Sr.’s unconventional career, and the younger Downey’s memories of growing up around filmmaking. Downey appears as himself and also served as a producer, making this a documentary rather than a conventional fictional acting role.
2023 — Oppenheimer
Downey portrayed businessman and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s historical drama Oppenheimer. The film follows J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, and the development of the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project and its political aftermath. Downey’s supporting performance was widely acclaimed and earned him the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor.
2025 — The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Downey made a brief appearance as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Matt Shakman-directed Marvel film centers on Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm as they confront Galactus. Downey’s appearance occurs in the film’s mid-credits sequence and is intentionally brief, setting up his new MCU role as Doctor Doom rather than returning as Tony Stark.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Movie Career
Robert Downey Jr.’s movie career has moved through several distinct eras, beginning with childhood appearances in his father’s experimental films and developing through the teen comedies and dramas of the 1980s. His performance in Chaplin established him as a serious dramatic actor, while movies such as Short Cuts, Natural Born Killers, Restoration, Wonder Boys, and Zodiac demonstrated his range across different genres. His comeback in the 2000s accelerated through Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Zodiac, and Tropic Thunder before Iron Man made him an international superstar.
The Marvel era ultimately became the most commercially influential chapter of his career, with Tony Stark appearing across multiple MCU films between 2008 and 2019. After Avengers: Endgame, Downey moved into projects such as Dolittle and Oppenheimer, with the latter bringing one of the most acclaimed performances of his career and his first Academy Award win. His brief appearance as Doctor Doom in The Fantastic Four: First Steps also marked the beginning of a new Marvel chapter while remaining distinct from his earlier role as Iron Man.
