Top 10 Robert De Niro Movies That Prove He Is a Legend

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Hollywood has produced many great actors over the decades, but only a few have truly stood the test of time. Robert De Niro is one of them. From playing broken men to powerful criminals, he has always brought something real to the screen. His performances do not just tell a story; they make you feel it. Watching Robert De Niro movies is not just entertainment; it is like watching a masterclass in acting that few people in Hollywood have ever matched.

If you are looking for the best Robert De Niro movies to watch, you have come to the right place. Below is a list of ten films that show exactly why this man has earned his legendary status.

Where to Watch: MGM Plus, fuboTV, Philo, The Roku Channel, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex Player

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this black-and-white film tells the true story of Jake LaMotta, a boxer from the Bronx whose rage inside the ring slowly destroys everything outside of it. De Niro plays LaMotta with such raw intensity that it is hard to look away. He famously gained over 60 pounds for the role to portray the older version of the character. Co-starring Joe Pesci as his brother, this film earned De Niro his second Academy Award for Best Actor.

Where to Watch: Paramount Plus, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, JustWatch TV, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Kanopy

You simply cannot talk about the best Robert De Niro movies without mentioning The Godfather Part II. In this Francis Ford Coppola sequel, the story moves between two timelines: the rise of a young Vito Corleone in early 1900s New York, and the growing power of his son Michael in the 1950s. Starring alongside Al Pacino, De Niro takes the role of the young Vito, speaking mostly in Sicilian, and delivers a quiet but commanding performance that earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand

In this Martin Scorsese film, De Niro plays Travis Bickle, a lonely war veteran who drives a taxi at night through the streets of New York City. Travis grows more and more disconnected from the world around him, until he decides to take matters into his own hands. The film also stars Jodie Foster and Cybill Shepherd. De Niro's performance is deeply unsettling and completely believable, making Travis one of the most iconic characters in cinema history.

Where to Watch: AMC, Philo, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Spectrum On Demand

Another Martin Scorsese film, GoodFellas is a crime drama based on the true story of Henry Hill, a man who grows up in Brooklyn and becomes a member of the mob. De Niro plays Jimmy Conway, a charming but ruthless gangster who is Henry's mentor and closest friend. Alongside Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci, De Niro brings a calm and dangerous energy to the role, making Jimmy one of the most memorable figures in the story.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

Three steelworkers from Pennsylvania, played by De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage, enlist to fight in the Vietnam War. What they experience there changes all of them forever. Directed by Michael Cimino, the film is long and slow-moving on purpose, letting you feel the weight of every moment. De Niro leads the film with a quiet strength, and his performance alongside Meryl Streep makes this one of the most emotionally powerful war films ever made.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex Player

Starring De Niro as a professional thief named Neil McCauley, this crime thriller by director Michael Mann follows a skilled criminal crew as they plan one last big job while being hunted by a determined detective played by Al Pacino. The film is famous for the first time De Niro and Pacino shared scenes together on screen. Their coffee shop conversation alone is one of the most talked-about moments in film history, showing two legends at the very top of their game.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Apple TV Store, Plex Player

Next, we have this dark comedy by Martin Scorsese, where De Niro plays Rupert Pupkin, a man with big dreams of becoming a famous stand-up comedian. Rupert obsesses over a popular talk show host played by Jerry Lewis, and his desperation slowly crosses the line into dangerous territory. Unlike his crime roles, here De Niro plays someone awkward and almost painful to watch; yet he commits to the character completely, creating something unforgettable.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex Player

Directed by legendary filmmaker Sergio Leone, this film follows two Jewish friends, Noodles and Max, from their young lives on the streets of New York to their time as powerful gangsters during Prohibition. De Niro plays Noodles, a man haunted by regret and loss, giving one of the most layered performances of his career. The film also features James Woods and Joe Pesci, and at nearly four hours long, it rewards viewers with a rich, deeply emotional story about friendship and betrayal.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Starz, Philo, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Martin Scorsese directs De Niro once again in this Las Vegas-set epic, where he plays Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a gambling expert sent by the mob to run a major casino. As Sam builds his empire, his personal life falls apart, especially through his troubled relationship with his wife Ginger, played by Sharon Stone, who received an Oscar nomination for the role. Joe Pesci also stars as the unpredictable Nicky Santoro. De Niro anchors the entire film with a controlled, detail-driven performance.

Where to Watch: Netflix

In this 2019 film, director Martin Scorsese reunites De Niro with Al Pacino in a sweeping crime epic based on a true story. De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, a truck driver turned mob hitman who claims to have been involved in the disappearance of labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa, played by Pacino. The film spans several decades and uses digital aging effects to show the characters growing old. Joe Pesci also returns in a rare acting role. At over three hours long, this is a slow and thoughtful film about loyalty, regret, and the cost of a life lived in violence.