Robert De Niro Movies: Guide to His Best and Latest

Few actors have shaped American cinema quite like Robert De Niro. From the gritty streets of Taxi Driver to the laugh-out-loud antics of Meet the Parents, his career is a masterclass in versatility. We’ve combed through Rotten Tomatoes rankings, Netflix catalogs, and critical consensus to map his best movies, latest releases, and the full filmography—highlighting a shift from method drama to comedy that few stars manage so well.

Academy Awards won: 2 (The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull) ·
Feature films: 100+ ·
Decades active: 1960s–2020s ·
Key collaborator: Martin Scorsese (9 films)

Here are the key biographical and career facts for Robert De Niro.

What are Robert De Niro’s top 10 movies?

Critically acclaimed vs. audience favorites

• Rotten Tomatoes editorial ranks Brazil (1985) as De Niro’s #1 film, followed by The Godfather Part II (#2) and Mean Streets (#3) (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).
• IMDb user lists consistently place The Godfather Part II, GoodFellas, and Raging Bull near the top (IMDb list).

The gap between critical darlings and audience favorites narrows for De Niro: the same titles often dominate both rankings, but Brazil and The Irishman are critic-driven picks while Heat and Casino pull stronger user ratings.

“De Niro’s top 10 is a mix of his early Scorsese collaborations and later ensemble pieces—his dramatic peak remains the 1970s–1990s.”

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

What this means: For any viewer, the essential De Niro watchlist starts with Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Godfather Part II (Rotten Tomatoes filmography)—four films that define his method-acting legacy.

What is De Niro’s favorite movie among his own works?

Reports differ. In various interviews, De Niro has cited Raging Bull as a personal milestone but also praised The Godfather Part II for its craft. Neither is confirmed as an absolute favorite (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).

What movies has Robert De Niro been in?

Complete filmography overview

Six decades, over 100 films. According to Wikipedia’s filmography, De Niro’s acting credits span from Greetings (1968) through Zero Day (2025). He has also directed two features: A Bronx Tale (1993) and The Good Shepherd (2006).

• 1960s–1970s: Mean Streets (1973), The Godfather Part II (1974), Taxi Driver (1976), The Deer Hunter (1978)
• 1980s–1990s: Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), Heat (1995)
• 2000s–2010s: Meet the Parents (2000), The Intern (2015), Joker (2019)
• 2020s: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Zero Day (2025), upcoming Megalopolis (2025)

The pattern: De Niro’s role count peaks in the 1990s with 30+ titles, then gradually shifts toward ensemble comedies and streaming projects in the 2010s and 2020s.

Notable comedies and dramas

After 2000, De Niro leaned heavily into comedy with box-office hits like Meet the Parents and The Intern. Apple TV’s De Niro page lists Cape Fear and Killer Elite alongside comedies, showcasing the range. This shift opened his filmography to younger audiences who may not explore his 1970s dramas.

The implication: De Niro’s filmography is a tale of two halves, dividing critics and audiences by era.

What are Robert De Niro’s latest movies?

2024–2025 releases

• Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) – Martin Scorsese’s epic, now streaming on Apple TV+ (Apple TV).
• A Bronx Tale: The Original One Man Show (2024) – a stage recording released on video (IMDb).
• Zero Day (2025) – Netflix series about a cyberattack (Netflix Tudum).

Upcoming projects

• Megalopolis (2025) – Francis Ford Coppola’s long-gestating drama (IMDb).
• The Whisper Man (2026) – Netflix crime thriller with Michelle Monaghan (Netflix Tudum).

Why this matters: At 81, De Niro remains prolific—averaging 2–3 releases per year—and his partnership with Netflix positions his work for global streaming audiences.

What is the latest Robert De Niro movie on Netflix?

Current Netflix catalog

As of early 2026, Netflix subscribers can stream:

• The Irishman (2019) – Scorsese’s mob epic, a Netflix original
• The Godfather Part II (1974) – available in some regions
• Heat (1995) – bank-heist classic
• Zero Day (2025) – newest Netflix series (Netflix Tudum)

Regional availability varies. Rotten Tomatoes’ filmography can help check your local catalog.

How to find De Niro movies on Netflix

Search for “Robert De Niro” directly within Netflix, or use third-party guides like Netflix’s Tudum to track new additions.

The catch: While his Netflix presence is strong, regional licensing means not every De Niro classic is available in all markets.

What movie took 29 years to make?

The long-gestating projects

Contrary to some online claims, no De Niro film took exactly 29 years from concept to release. However, The Irishman spent about a decade in development, while Megalopolis (Coppola) has been in the works since the 1980s (IMDb). The 29-year figure may be a misattributed trivia.

• Confirmed: The Irishman – 10 years from script to screen
• Unconfirmed: None of De Niro’s projects on record required three decades of production

The catch: Hollywood production delays are often exaggerated. For De Niro, the longest wait between announcement and release is roughly 15 years for Megalopolis.

Quotes from the archive

“De Niro’s commitment to character is legendary—he learned to box for Raging Bull and drove a taxi for Taxi Driver.”

Wikipedia

“Working with De Niro is like watching a master sculptor—he shapes every scene with precision.”

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

De Niro’s career arc from method-acting intensity to comedy and streaming projects reflects a rare ability to evolve with the industry. For the streaming subscriber looking to explore his range, the choice is clear: start with The Irishman for his late-career gravitas, then jump to Meet the Parents for his comedic timing—or risk missing half of what makes him one of cinema’s most adaptable legends.

Fans looking for a comprehensive overview can explore this complete guide to his best films for a detailed look at his most acclaimed performances.

Frequently asked questions