Robert De Niro is not merely an actor—he is a cinematic icon. With a career that has lasted more than fifty years, De Niro has provided some of the most impactful, intricate, and memorable performances in the history of film. Ranging from intense crime dramas to touching character explorations, his adaptability and passion have established him as a fundamental figure in contemporary American cinema.
Whether you are a devoted admirer or just starting to delve into his filmography, this compilation of the 10 finest Robert De Niro movies serves as an excellent resource for grasping why he continues to be regarded as one of the greatest actors ever.
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1. Mean Streets
- IMDb Rating- 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating- 92%
- Smartprix Rating-8/10
- Runtime-1 hour 52 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Harvey Keitel, Amy Robinson & others
About the Movie – Charlie wants to climb the ladder of the mafia but is torn between his guilt over his crimes, his faith, his responsibility towards his friend Johnny, and his love for Teresa, who is epileptic. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
The actor has given one of his most electrifying performances in this movie. He plays Johnny Boy, a reckless, volatile, and charismatic young man who becomes a source of constant trouble for his friend Charlie. He plays the character with unpredictable energy, and one can’t take their eyes off him throughout the movie. The movie marked the beginning of Robert De Niro’s collaboration with Martin Scorsese, and though he wasn’t the lead, he stole the show.
2. The Irishman
- IMDb Rating- 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-95%
- Smartprix Rating-8.5/10
- Runtime-3 hours 29 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Joe Pesci, Al Pacino & others
About the Movie – In the 1950s, truck driver Frank Sheeran gets involved with Russell Bufalino and his Pennsylvania crime family. As Sheeran climbs the ranks to become a top hitman, he also goes to work for Jimmy Hoffa, a powerful Teamster tied to organized crime. You can watch it on Netflix India.
Robert De Niro gives a restrained, haunting performance in the movie as Frank Sheeran, a WWII veteran turned mob hitman who becomes deeply entangled in organized crime and the inner circle of union leader Jimmy Hoffa. The actor plays this role with chilling subtlety, and thanks to de-aging, he plays Frank from his 30s to his 80s technically and emotionally. It marked a reunion of De Niro, Scorsese, Pacino, and Joe Pesci.
3. Midnight Run
- IMDb Rating-7.5/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-95%
- Smartprix Rating-8.2/10
- Runtime-2 hours 6 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Charles Grodin, Dennis Farina & others
About the Movie – Jack Walsh, a bounty hunter, embarrasses the FBI when he quickly finds a much-awaited bail jumper, Jonathan Mardukas. Now, they want him to take Jonathan to Los Angeles. But there is a hidden agenda. You can watch it on YouTube & Amazon Prime Video.
In this movie, the actor steps away from his usual intense, dramatic roles and shows off his comedic chops. He plays Jack Walsh, a gruff, no-nonsense bounty hunter tasked with transporting a fugitive across the country. De Niro plays it straight while Grodin plays neurotic and the banter between them is gold. It is a layered character, as the film unfolds, we see his decency, regret, and growing friendship with the Duke. The actor balances action scenes with emotional depth.
4. Goodfellas
- IMDb Rating- 8.7/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-94%
- Smartprix Rating- 9/10
- Runtime-2 hours 26 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci & others
About the Movie – Henry grows up idolizing mobsters in his impoverished neighbourhood. Things take a turn for the worse when he along with his friends Jimmy and Tommy decide to make their way up to the mob hierarchy. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
In this movie, the actor plays James Conway, a smooth-talking, calculating mobster who exudes charm and menace in equal measure. While he isn’t the central character, he plays a crucial role in the rise and fall of the gangster lifestyle portrayed. The actor doesn’t overact and plays Jimmy with calculated precision. De Niro reportedly worked closely with Henry Hill to learn Jimmy’s mannerisms, contributing to the film’s authentic feel.
5. Raging Bull
- IMDb Rating- 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating- 92%
- Smartprix Rating-8.5/10
- Runtime-2 hours 9 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Martin Scorsese, Jake LaMotta & others
About the Movie – A middleweight ascends through the ranks to achieve his first shot at a boxing title. But his personal life, laden with paranoia, jealousy, and rage, scuttles his professional growth. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video & Apple TV+.
Robert De Niro has given one of his most intense and transformative performances in this movie. He plays the character of Jake LaMotta, a real-life middleweight boxer whose rage, jealousy, and insecurity destroy his relations and career. He gained nearly 60 pounds to portray older LaMotta and embodied violent insecurities and inner torment with ferocity, making even his silences feel threatening. He won the Oscar Award for Best Actor for this movie.
6. The Godfather Part 2
- IMDb Rating- 9/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-96%
- Smartprix Rating-9/10
- Runtime-3 hours 22 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Al Pacino, James Caan & others
About the Movie – Vito’s popularity in the underworld is on the rise, while his son, Michael’s career is swinging downwards. In order to redeem himself, Michael must fight his enemies, including his own brother. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video & Apple TV+.
The actor delivers a masterclass in quiet power as Young Vito Corleone in this movie. He learned the Sicilian dialect and speaks most of his dialogue in Italian with stunning naturalism, and this version is more physically active but just as calculating as Brando’s older Vito. Vito is quiet, introspective, and terrifyingly strategic. De Niro won the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role.
7. Falling in Love
- IMDb Rating- 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-50%
- Smartprix Rating-6.4/10
- Runtime-1 hour 46 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Meryl Streep, Harvey Keitel & others
About the Movie – A chance meeting blossoms into a new friendship between Frank and Molly who are married to different people. As they encounter each other more frequently, they soon start falling for each other. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
The actor shows a softer, more restrained side of his acting, stepping away from his intense and violent roles to play a man caught in an emotional, realistic love story. He plays Frank with quiet vulnerability and his portrayal is emotionally conflicted. The natural chemistry of De Niro and Streep is dynamic, and his language, silences, and awkward smiles create a character who feels completely human, not cinematic.
8. Silver Linings Playbook
- IMDb Rating- 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-92%
- Smartprix Rating-8/10
- Runtime-2 hours 2 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence & others
About the Movie – After being released from a mental institution Pat meets Tiffany, who suffers from depression. She tells him that she will help him reunite with his wife if he becomes her partner in a competition. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The actor gives a warm, layered, and deeply human performance as Pat Sr., the superstitious, emotionally bottled-up father of Bradley Cooper’s character. He is a lovable sports-obsessed dad on the surface, but slowly peels back layers to reveal regret, vulnerability, and a deep desire to heal his family. He realistically captures a father who doesn’t understand mental illness but wants to. For his role, the actor was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category at the Oscars.
9. Taxi Driver
- IMDb Rating- 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-89%
- Smartprix Rating-8/10
- Runtime-1 hour 53 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Martin Scorsese, Jodie Foster & others
About the Movie – Travis, an ex-marine and Vietnam veteran, works as a taxi driver in New York City. One day, he decides to save an underage prostitute from her pimp in an effort to clean the city of its corruption. You can watch it on Sony LIV and Amazon Prime Video.
De Niro gives one of his most iconic and disturbing performances in film history as Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable, lonely Vietnam War veteran navigating the underbelly of 1970s NYC. He immersed himself in the role even getting a real taxi license and driving cabs for weeks before filming. The actor embodied repressed rage, disconnection, and desperation with realism, and the transformation from alienated loner to self-styled avenger is chilling.
10. Heat
- IMDb Rating- 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomato Rating-84%
- Smartprix Rating-8/10
- Runtime-2 hours 50 minutes
- Starring- Robert De Niro with Al Pacino, Michael Mann & others
About the Movie – McCauley, a professional thief, hopes to pull off one last heist before he retires. However, he is under the constant surveillance of a police detective, Hanna, who tries to thwart his plan. You can watch it on JioHotstar and Netflix India.
Robert De Niro gives a masterclass in quiet intensity as Neil McCauley, a professional thief who lives by a strict code. This was the first time he shared the screen with Al Pacino despite them working in The Godfather: Part II. The actor gives an understated, controlled, and magnetic performance and is a perfect foil to Pacino’s manic energy. As Neil falls for Eady, we see his emotional layers exploring regret, longing, and fear.
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