8 must-watch Robert Downey Jr. movies before his role as Iron Man in 2008

The Focus breaks down eight must-watch Robert Downey Jr. movies before the actor’s role as Iron Man in 2008.

This year’s Academy Awards ceremony went off without a hitch and was the perfect celebration of some of 2023’s greatest movies. It was a night of many highlights, but for many, Robert Downey Jr.’s win for Best Supporting Actor was the most triumphant. The 58-year-old American actor earned acclaim and other awards for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Best Picture-winning Oppenheimer, but he’s best known for his long-time portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both of these roles are the tip of the iceberg in a long-spanning and tremendous career, of which there are eight movies, in particular, I wholeheartedly recommend…

Chaplin (1992)

Long before RDJ took home his first ever Oscar thanks to Oppenheimer, he was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of the cinema icon Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biographical comedy-drama.

Directed by Richard Attenborough and co-starring alongside Marisa Tomei and Dan Aykroyd, the film adapted the silent movie star’s 1964 book My Autobiography, as well as the 1985 book Chaplin: His Life And Art by David Robinson.

Known for such cherished movies as City Lights and Modern Times, Charlie is one of cinema’s most iconic figures and RDJ rightfully earned acclaim for his performance, hands down one of his best. He may not have won the Oscar for it, but he won the BAFTA, Britain’s answer to the Academy Awards. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video.

Charlie Bartlett (2007)

The main reason to check out the coming-of-age comedy-drama Charlie Bartlett is because of Anton Yelchin’s titular character. Having passed away in 2016, this gem of a film remains one of his most brilliant.

Charlie is a unique teenager who, in a desperate search for friends, decides to become the high school’s resident psychiatrist. The gig earns him unexpected popularity but attracts heat from Principal Nathan Gardner, played by RDJ.

The pair of actors work together so well, the chemistry flowing effortlessly. Give it a try on Tubi.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Often cited by RDJ fans as their favorite of his non-Marvel movies, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang comes from director Shane Black (The Nice Guys) and centers on the actor’s character Harry Lockhart, a criminal who ends up auditioning for a film while evading the cops.

Landing the role, he whisks himself off to Hollywood where he becomes embroiled in a mysterious conspiracy that involves somebody from childhood.

RDJ and Val Kilmer as private eye Perry van Shrike makes for a hilarious and endlessly rewatchable double act, chewing up film noir and detective movie tropes with a most flexible jaw. If you love his Tony Stark wit, you get it here in spades.

Less Than Zero (1987)

Before the controversial 1991 novel American Psycho was adapted into a movie with Christian Bale, American author Bret Easton Ellis’ debut novel Less Than Zero was adapted for the screen.

The drama film revolves around Clay (played by Andrew McCarthy), a rich kid who returns from college after a semester to discover things aren’t picture-perfect within the community around him. RDJ plays Clay’s best friend Julian Wells, who is spiraling out of control with drug abuse issues.

For those who wish to see an earlier effort in the actor’s career, it’s essential and serves as a sanitized and flawed but nevertheless entertaining take on the classic novel. Try it on Hulu.

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Oliver Stone, director of JFK and Platoon, caused outrage when the unconventionally romantic crime movie Natural Born Killers debuted in the 1990s, chronicling murderous lovers Mickey and Mallory Knox (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, respectively.)

One of the central fascinations of the movie is how the pair are glorified in the media, which is where RDJ’s unforgettable Wayne Gale comes in.

The Iron Man actor’s eccentric depiction of a tabloid journalist with a thirst for a major scoop remains one of his wildest performances, and it’s the first time I personally remember watching him and thinking, ‘Wow, this guy is amazing.’

Short Cuts (1993)

Not only is Short Cuts my favorite RDJ movie, but it’s one of my favorite films period.

Legendary filmmaker Robert Altman’s American comedy-drama is inspired by short stories of the author Raymond Carver and interweaves the lives of numerous Los Angeles residents across an epic three-hour runtime.

In a cast with Matthew Modine, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Frances McDormand, and so many more, RDJ still shines as Bill Bush, a makeup artist with a tendency to lie and cheat. He’s a sleazy component in a movie with more than its fair share, but RDJ is one of the all-time greats when it comes to crafting unlikeable yet somehow charismatic characters.

Weird Science (1985)

When you think of John Hughes, you probably think first of The Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. For me, I immediately think of Weird Science, a comedy that me and my friends loved so much growing up.

The movie kicks into gear when two dorky best friends successfully create a woman on their computer named Lisa (Kelly LeBrock)

RDJ plays Ian, one of the bullies who takes quite an interest in her, and after spending over a decade with RDJ playing Iron Man it’s even more entertaining to go back and see him as a teen like this.

Zodiac (2007)

Director David Fincher is championed for movies such as Fight Club, Gone Girl, and Seven, but I’m increasingly seeing more people point to Zodiac as one of his greatest achievements. One that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath.

Released just one year before RDJ’s pivotal role in Jon Favreau’s historic blockbuster Iron Man, Zodiac co-stars other destined-to-be Marvel actors, Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Billed as a neo-noir crime thriller, it’s about the search for the Zodiac killer, a murderer who plagued the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1960s and 70s. I think it’s one of the director’s very finest films, as well as offering one of RDJ’s best performances. Stream it on Paramount+ or Hulu.