Robert De Niro is one of the greatest actors of all time, known for his intense method acting, versatility, and ability to bring deep psychological complexity to his roles. He’s played everything from gangsters to troubled outcasts, comedic figures, and even warm, fatherly characters.
Here are the 10 roles that I believe are his greatest.
1. The Godfather Part II (1974)
Character: Vito Corleone
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Awards & Nominations:
- 1975 Oscar winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
IMDb Film Rating: 9.0/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro fully immersed himself in the role of young Vito Corleone, whose older reincarnation was portrayed by the legendary Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972). He spent months studying Brando’s speech patterns and mannerisms to create a seamless transition between the younger and older versions of the character. He even learned to speak fluent Sicilian, adding to the authenticity of his portrayal.
2. Goodfellas (1990)
Character: Jimmy Conway
Awards & Nominations:
- 1991 BAFTA Nominee for Best Actor
Best scene: De Niro smoking bar scene (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 8.7/10
Why De Niro was great:
Robert De Niro’s performance was legendary because of his subtle intensity, attention to detail, and ability to make the criminal appear both charismatic and terrifying. Unlike Joe Pesci’s pychopathic Tommy or Ray Liotta’s anxious Henry, De Niro plays Jimmy with quiet menace. He controls scenes with just a look or a pause, making his presence deeply unsettling. He doesn’t have to yell to be terrifying – his eyes alone do the work.
3. Raging Bull (1981)
Character: Jake Lamotta
Director: Martin Scorsese
Awards & Nominations:
- 1982 Oscar winner for Best Actor in a leading role
- 1982 Golden Globe winner for Best Actor
- 1981 BAFTA nominee for Best Actor
Best scene: “Bring me my steak!” (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 8.1/10
Why De Niro was great:
For this role De Niro famously gained 60 pounds to portray LaMotta in his later years, making it one of the earliest and most extreme examples of method acting in Hollywood. He trained as a boxer for months, even fighting in real amateur matches, to ensure that his movements and fighting style felt completely authentic. De Niro managed to capture LaMotta’s insecurity, jealousy, and self-destructive tendencies with incredible intensity, making the character feel raw and real.
4. Taxi Driver (1976)
Character: Travis Bickle
Director: Martin Scoresese
Awards & Nominations:
- 1977 Oscar nominee for Best Actor in a leading role
- 1977 BAFTA nominee for Best Actor
- 1977 Goldren Globe nominee for Best Actor in Motion Picture
Best scene: “You talkin’ to me?” (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 8.2/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro fully immersed himself in the role of Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable, lonely Vietnam War veteran navigating the seedy underbelly of New York City. To prepare, he actually worked as a cab driver for weeks, driving 12-hour shifts to get into the mindset of the character. He masterfully balanced subtlety and explosive intensity. In quieter moments, he conveys Travis’s alienation and paranoia through small facial expressions, body language, and speech patterns. Then, when his violence erupts, it feels both inevitable and shocking. One of the most famous scenes in cinema was improvised by De Niro. His “You talkin’ to me?” monologue in front of the mirror became an iconic moment, showcasing Travis’s growing detachment from reality and descent into violence.
5. The King of Comedy (1982)
Character: Rupert Pupkin
Director: Martin Scoresese
Awards & Nominations:
- 1984 BAFTA nominee for Best Actor
Best scene: Ruperts daydream (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 7.8/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro plays Rupert with an eerie authenticity. He doesn’t exaggerate the character’s eccentricities; instead, he makes them feel all too real. The way Rupert talks too much, ignores social cues, and refuses to acknowledge rejection feels painfully familiar, making the character more unsettling. De Niro masterfully walks the tightrope between humor and discomfort. Rupert is absurdly funny at times, but it’s never because he’s a great comedian – it’s because he doesn’t realize how cringe-worthy he is. At the same time, his desperation is heartbreaking, making it impossible to fully laugh at him.
6. The Deer Hunter (1978)
Character: Michael
Director: Michael Cimino
Awards & Nominations:
- 1979 Oscar nominee for Best Actor in a leading role
- 1980 BAFTA nominee for Best Actor
- 1980 Goldren Globe nominee for Best Actor in Motion Picture
Best scene: Russian Roulette (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 8.1/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro doesn’t rely on big, dramatic moments to convey emotion. Instead, he uses small, controlled expressions – his eyes, body language, and pauses say more than words ever could. Whether it’s the way he watches Meryl Streep’s character (Linda) with quiet longing or his haunted stillness after returning from war, he makes Michael’s internal struggles feel raw and real. De Niro transforms physically for the role. Before the war, Michael is confident and strong, moving with ease among his friends. After the war, he carries himself differently—tense, withdrawn, always on edge. The contrast is striking, showing how the war has hollowed him out. The film’s most famous sequence—the Russian roulette scene—features De Niro at his absolute best. His eyes are wild with terror, but his voice remains steady, trying to outmaneuver his captors while also keeping his friend alive. The way he builds tension, controlling his breathing and choosing every movement carefully, is masterful.
7. Cape Fear (1991)
Character: Max Cady
Director: Martin Scorsese
Awards & Nominations:
- 1992 Oscar nominee for Best Actor in a leading role
- 1992 Golden Globe nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Best scene: Max Cady (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 7.3/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro went through an extreme physical transformation to embody Cady. He bulked up, reduced his body fat to near zero, and covered himself in menacing tattoos (which he actually paid to have temporarily etched into his skin). His ripped, sinewy body makes him look like a coiled predator, always ready to pounce. He also adopts a thick Southern accent and delivers his lines with a slow, deliberate cadence, making every word feel calculated and sinister. His use of biblical scripture – often twisted to justify his revenge – adds a haunting layer to his character. The way he says, “I am like God, and God is like me” is pure nightmare fuel.
8. This Boy’s Life (1993)
Character: Dwight
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Awards & Nominations:
IMDb Film Rating: 7.3/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro doesn’t play Dwight as a raging monster from the start. Instead, he gradually reveals his cruelty, starting as a seemingly well-meaning but strict father figure. The way he manipulates and controls Tobias (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mother (Ellen Barkin) feels eerily realistic – he knows exactly when to be charming and when to be brutal. One of the scariest things about De Niro’s Dwight is that he’s not just physically abusive – he’s psychologically tormenting. He gaslights, belittles, and humiliates Tobias, using control and intimidation rather than just violence. The dinner table scene, where he forces Tobias to eat mashed potatoes, is horrifying because of how casual and petty his cruelty is.
9. Meet the Parents
Character: Jack Byrnes
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Awards & Nominations:
- Golden Globe nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Best scene: “Bring you down to Chinatown” (Click to watch)
IMDb Film Rating: 7.3/10
Why De Niro was great:
De Niro plays Jack completely straight, never winking at the audience. His deadpan line delivery – whether he’s grilling Greg (Ben Stiller) or talking about his CIA past—makes everything funnier. One of the best examples is when he says, “I will be watching you.” The way he slowly points at his own eyes and then at Greg is both absurd and genuinely unsettling. Jack doesn’t explode in anger like some of De Niro’s past characters. Instead, he builds tension slowly, making Greg (and the audience) feel increasingly uncomfortable. His quiet disapproval and laser-focused suspicion make every interaction feel like a psychological battle.
De Niro doesn’t rely on slapstick, but his small gestures – crossing his arms, staring Greg down, or subtly raising an eyebrow – are enough to make a scene hilarious. Even his stiff body language in moments like the infamous Lie Detector Test scene adds to the awkward comedy.
10. Mean Streets (1973)
Character: Johnny Boy
Director: Martin Scorsese
Awards & Nominations:
IMDb Film Rating: 7.2/10
Why De Niro was great:
He played Johnny Boy, a reckless, self-destructive small-time hood with an unpredictable, almost manic energy. Every time he was on screen, he radiated a sense of danger and excitement. His chaotic, irresponsible nature was a perfect foil to Harvey Keitel’s Charlie, who struggled with guilt and ambition. De Niro’s loose, wild performance heightened the film’s tension and made Charlie’s internal conflict more palpable.
De Niro infused Johnny Boy with a raw, unscripted quality. His dialogue often felt improvised, making his interactions more real and engaging. His casual insults, playful charm, and explosive outbursts felt completely organic. Despite being a troublemaker who constantly put his friends in danger, Johnny Boy was oddly likable. De Niro brought humor and charm to the role, making him someone you couldn’t take your eyes off.