Robert de Niro is one of the greatest movie actors of all time. His work in films such as The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas, and Taxi Driver has cemented his place in cinematic history. If you’re looking for an introduction to some of his best work, here are twelve movies you should watch. All the details of his best films are given in this article.
Who is Robert de Niro?
Robert De Niro is an American actor, director, and producer who has Italian and American citizenship. He is the winner of multiple awards. These include two Oscars, a Golden Globe Award, and the Silver Lion Award. De Niro is also a recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
On August 17, 1943, De Niro was born in the Greenwich Village area of Manhattan, New York. His parents Robert De Niro Sr., and Virginia Admiral were both artists. While his mother was also a poet along with a painter. De Niro has two sisters: Daphne, an actress, and Amy, a journalist.
Robert de Niro’s career and net worth:
De Niro’s first film appearance was in the 1968 film The Wedding Party. However, his first significant role came in the 1973 film Mean Streets. De Niro’s breakout performance was in the 1974 film Bang the Drum Slowly.
In The Godfather Part II, he gained widespread recognition for his role as young Vito Corleone. De Niro’s other notable films include Taxi Driver, Cape Fear, Goodfellas, and Casino. He also works in comedy movies like This and Meets the Parents.
In addition to his acting career, De Niro has also worked as a director and producer. He made his directorial debut with the 1993 film A Bronx Tale. De Niro has also produced The Irishman, Goodfellas, and Casino films. If we talk about the net worth, then as of 2022, Robert de Niro’s net worth is $500 million.
Twelve best Robert de Niro movies:
There are too many Robert de Niro movies; he is a famous actor and producer. So, if you are a big fan of Robert, then the list of his top twelve movies is given below. Read about all these movies, and we recommend you to watch all these movies.
1. The Godfather Part II:
It is a crime movie that was released in 1974. He serves as a prequel and sequel to The Godfather. Francis Ford Coppola directs it from a screenplay co-written with Mario Puzo, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. This movie is considered one of the greatest films ever made.
2. Taxi Driver:
This is the thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader, and released in 1976. It stars Robert De Niro as a taxi driver in New York City who becomes mentally unstable and sexually frustrated, leading him to descend into violence.
3. Goodfellas:
Another crime thriller movie is Goodfellas, released in 1990, directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi, based on the 1986 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Pileggi. The characters of this movie are Lorraine Bracco, Robert De Niro, Frank Vincent, Paul Sorvino, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta.
4. Raging Bull:
If you are a fan of a sports drama film, then this is for you. Raging Bull is directed by Martin Scorsese, produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler, and written by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin.
It stars Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, an Italian-American middleweight boxer whose self-destructive and obsessive rage, sexual jealousy, and animalistic appetites destroy his relationship with his wife and family.
5. Silver Linings Playbook:
The fifth movie is Silver Linings Playbook, which was released in 2012. This film is another comedy masterpiece written and directed by David O. Russell. If we talk about the stars of this film, then these are Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, with Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, Eric Banner, Jackie Weaver, and Julia Stiles in supporting roles.
6. The Deer Hunter:
The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American epic war drama film directed by Michael Cimino and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage, Meryl Streep, and John Cazale. This film is based on a group of Pennsylvania steelworkers from the small town of Clairton who go to Vietnam to fight in the war.
7. The Irishman:
This movie is released in 2019 and it is a crime film. Martin Scorsese directed and produced this movie and it was written by Steven Zaillian. Basically, this movie is based on the non-fiction book that was released in 2004. The name of this book is I heard You Paint Houses. The main characters of this movie are Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, hitman who claims to have been involved in the disappearance of Hoffa.
8. Cape Fear:
Cape Fear is a psychological thriller movie released in 1991 and directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, and Juliette Lewis. This film was the remake of the 1962 film of the same name.
9. Heat:
Heat is a crime drama film that was released in 1995, written, produced, and directed by Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, and Amy Brenneman. This film is based on the true story of a group of professional bank robbers.
10. Once Upon a Time in America:
It is the 1984 American epic crime drama film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. Generally, it is the loose adaptation of the novel of the same name by Harry Grey. It chronicles the lives of Jewish gangsters in New York City from 1900 to 1925.
11. The Godfather:
That was released in 1972. However, Francis Ford Coppola directs this film, and Albert S. Ruddy produce this film. The story of this movie is based on the most famous novel named Mario Puzo. The main character of this movie is Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, leaders of the fictional crime family who lives in New York.
12. Casino:
The amazing 1995 casino film. Martin Scorsese directed this film and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. However, the story of this movie is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the scree2nplay for the film with Scorsese.
Conclusion:
These are the twelve best Robert de Niro movies that you should watch at least once. From his work with Martin Scorsese to his iconic performances in “The Godfather” and “Taxi Driver,” De Niro is a true Hollywood legend. If you want to explore his filmography, this list is perfect.