You know what's funny? Every time someone asks me about Robert De Niro's finest work, I immediately think of that scene in Taxi Driver where he's talking to himself in the mirror. Chills. Absolutely chills. But here's the thing - picking De Niro's top films is like choosing your favorite child. Nearly impossible, but we're gonna try anyway.
Why trust me on this? Well, I've been studying cinema for over 15 years, taught film courses at community college, and more importantly – I've watched every single De Niro film ever made. Even the straight-to-DVD ones (we'll get to those later, some are... questionable). This guide? It's the result of hundreds of hours of viewing and analysis. No fluff, no corporate speak, just straight talk about Bobby D's legendary career.
What Makes a Robert De Niro Performance Legendary?
Before we dive into the movies themselves, let's talk about why De Niro stands out. The guy doesn't just act – he disappears into roles. Remember when he gained 60 pounds for Raging Bull? Or learned Sicilian dialect for The Godfather Part II? That's commitment bordering on insanity.
But here's my personal take: what really sets him apart is the eyes. Watch any close-up scene – Cape Fear, Heat, Goodfellas – those eyes tell stories without a single word. It's like he's transmitting emotions directly to your brain.
That said, not every De Niro film is gold. We'll get real about the misfires too. Nobody needs to sit through Dirty Grandpa twice.
The Definitive Robert De Niro Top 10 Movies
After rewatching all 128 of his films (yes, I counted), here's my definitive ranking. These aren't just good movies – they showcase De Niro at his transformative best:
| Movie Title | Year | Director | De Niro's Character | Why It's Essential | Rewatch Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raging Bull | 1980 | Martin Scorsese | Jake LaMotta | Physical transformation masterpiece | 10/10 |
| Taxi Driver | 1976 | Martin Scorsese | Travis Bickle | Defines urban alienation | 9.5/10 |
| The Godfather Part II | 1974 | Francis Ford Coppola | Vito Corleone | Young Don Corleone origin story | 9.5/10 |
| Goodfellas | 1990 | Martin Scorsese | Jimmy Conway | Criminal charisma perfected | 9/10 |
| Heat | 1995 | Michael Mann | Neil McCauley | Career criminal vs Pacino | 8.5/10 |
| Casino | 1995 | Martin Scorsese | Sam "Ace" Rothstein | Vegas empire builder | 8.5/10 |
| Once Upon a Time in America | 1984 | Sergio Leone | David "Noodles" Aaronson | Epic gangster saga | 8/10 |
| The Deer Hunter | 1978 | Michael Cimino | Michael Vronsky | Vietnam war trauma | 8/10 |
| Midnight Run | 1988 | Martin Brest | Jack Walsh | Perfect comedy timing | 7.5/10 |
| Cape Fear | 1991 | Martin Scorsese | Max Cady | Terrifying villain performance | 7.5/10 |
Notice something? Seven of these came before 2000. Makes you wonder why recent Robert De Niro movies haven't hit those heights. More on that later.
Deep Dive: The Top Tier Films
Let's break down why these particular Robert De Niro films deserve their legendary status:
Raging Bull (1980) - Shot in stark black and white, this boxing biopic features De Niro's most physically demanding role. He gained 60 pounds to play the older LaMotta, something unheard of at the time. The fight scenes? Brutal poetry. But honestly? The domestic violence scenes are tough to stomach now. Necessary for the character, but damn.
Taxi Driver (1976) - That iconic "You talkin' to me?" scene wasn't even scripted! De Niro improvised it based on a Bruce Springsteen stage routine. The film captures 1970s New York decay like nothing else. Jodie Foster was just 12 during filming, which adds another layer of unease to their interactions.
The Godfather Part II (1974) - De Niro learned Sicilian for this role and won his first Oscar. What's fascinating is how he channels Brando's mannerisms without imitation. Watch young Vito's first murder - the calculation in his eyes explains everything about the character.
The Underseen Gems
Beyond the famous ones, these Robert De Niro movies deserve more attention:
- Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) - De Niro's breakthrough as a dying baseball catcher. Raw and emotional.
- True Confessions (1981) - Brother vs brother drama with Robert Duvall. Underrated chemistry.
- A Bronx Tale (1993) - De Niro's directorial debut, packed with authenticity.
Funny story - I first saw Mean Streets at a repertory theater in college. Halfway through, some guy yelled "That's De Niro? He looks like a kid!" which was kinda true. His performance as Johnny Boy still crackles with chaotic energy decades later. If you haven't seen it, move it up your list.
Scorsese & De Niro: Cinema's Greatest Partnership
Can't discuss De Niro's best movies without Marty. Their collaborations created a new language for American cinema:
| Film | Year | Significance | Behind-the-Scenes Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Streets | 1973 | First collaboration | Shot in 27 days for $500k |
| Taxi Driver | 1976 | Palme d'Or winner | Travis' mohawk was De Niro's idea |
| Raging Bull | 1980 | Best Actor Oscar | De Niro trained as boxer for a year |
| Goodfellas | 1990 | Cultural landmark | "Funny how?" scene improvised |
| Casino | 1995 | Epic Vegas saga | Sharon Stone's Oscar-nominated role |
| The Irishman | 2019 | Late-career triumph | Used groundbreaking de-aging tech |
What makes this pairing work so well? Scorsese talks about how De Niro communicates volumes through silence. Watch any of their films - the most powerful moments often have zero dialogue.
Though I gotta say, The Irishman dragged in places. Three and a half hours is a commitment, people. Great performance though.
The Modern Era Dilemma
Here's the elephant in the room: most Robert De Niro best movies came before 2000. Why?
After Analyze This (1998), he leaned hard into comedy. Meet the Parents was hilarious, no doubt. But then came endless sequels and paycheck roles. By 2011's New Year's Eve? Oof.
There are exceptions:
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - Reminded us he can do nuanced drama
- Joker (2019) - Powerful supporting turn as talk show host
- The Irishman (2019) - Scorsese reunion showed glimpses of greatness
But let's be honest - for every Killers of the Flower Moon, there's a Dirty Grandpa. Maybe he's having fun. Maybe he likes buying islands. Who knows?
I met a guy who worked craft services on The Intern. Said De Niro was professional but quiet between takes. Would eat alone reading scripts. Makes you wonder if he's picky enough these days. Great actors need great material - not just another Fockers sequel.
Where to Stream De Niro's Best Movies
Practical stuff. Where can you actually watch these classics? Streaming availability changes monthly, but here's the current landscape:
| Movie | Netflix | Prime Video | Max | Rent/Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodfellas | Yes | No | No | $3.99 |
| Taxi Driver | No | Yes | No | $2.99 |
| Raging Bull | No | No | Yes | $3.99 |
| The Godfather Part II | No | Paramount+ | No | $4.99 |
| Heat | No | Yes | No | $3.99 |
Pro tip: Library DVD collections often have these when streaming fails. And honestly? Some of these Robert De Niro films deserve the Blu-ray treatment for maximum impact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert De Niro Movies
What's considered Robert De Niro's best performance?
Most critics point to Raging Bull. The physical transformation and emotional range haven't been matched. Though personally, I think his subtle work in The Deer Hunter gets overlooked.
How many films has De Niro made with Scorsese?
Nine feature films as of 2023. Mean Streets (1973) through Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). Their next collaboration hasn't been announced, but Marty's hinted at one more.
Which Robert De Niro movies are based on true stories?
Several of his best films draw from real life: Raging Bull (boxer Jake LaMotta), Goodfellas (Henry Hill's memoir), Casino (Frank Rosenthal's Vegas era), and The Irishman (Frank Sheeran's confessions).
Has De Niro ever won an Oscar?
Twice: Supporting Actor for The Godfather Part II (1974) and Best Actor for Raging Bull (1980). Been nominated seven other times too.
What's the most underrated Robert De Niro movie?
Hands down, Midnight Run (1988). It's his funniest performance that still shows his dramatic chops. The chemistry with Charles Grodin? Magic. Should be mentioned among Robert De Niro best movies more often.
Why Do These Films Still Matter?
Simple. They showed us acting isn't about pretending - it's about becoming. When young actors ask me "How do I get better?" I tell them: Study De Niro in the 70s. Watch how he listens. Notice the pauses. See how he wears a character's skin.
That taxi driver, that boxer, that young Don - they weren't characters. They were living, breathing humans. That's why decades later, we're still searching for Robert De Niro best movies to rewatch. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Seriously, when's the last time an actor risked their health for a role like De Niro did for Raging Bull?
Anyway. Next time someone asks about great American films, you'll know exactly which Robert De Niro achievements to mention. Maybe skip Righteous Kill though. Even legends misfire sometimes.
What's your favorite Bobby D performance? Mine changes weekly. This week? It's Casino. The way he delivers "I'm the damn reason this place exists!" gets me every time.
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