Robert De Niro is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. He is a legend in his own time and has delivered unforgettable performances throughout his career. From his iconic role as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver to his portrayal of Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull, De Niro has proven his versatility as an actor time and time again.
His ability to inhabit a character and bring it to life on screen is truly remarkable. It's no wonder he has won two Academy Awards and numerous other accolades for his work, including nominations with the Emmys. Below, we will take a look at the Robert De Niro's movie roles that were the biggest box office hits worldwide, according to The Numbers.
24 Robert De Niro - Backdraft - $152 Million - Starring Role
Backdraft stars Robert De Niro as veteran firefighter Donald "Shadow" Rimgale, who investigates a series of arson attacks in Chicago. Donald learns that a vengeful pyromaniac with a personal grudge against the city's firefighters is causing the fires alongside his younger brother Brian (played by William Baldwin).
As the investigation heats up, Donald and Brian must race against time to stop the arsonist before he sets the entire city ablaze. Meanwhile, tensions between the two brothers begin to rise as they confront their own personal demons and the dangerous reality of their profession.
23 Robert De Niro - Cape Fear - $182 Million - Starring Role
Cape Fear stars Robert De Niro as Max Cady, a convicted rapist seeking revenge on his former defense attorney, Sam Bowden, played by Nick Nolte. De Niro's portrayal of Cady is chilling and unsettling, making him one of the most memorable movie villains of all time.
The film is a remake of the 1962 version starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, but director Martin Scorsese brings a new level of intensity and brutality to the story. The tension builds steadily throughout the film, culminating in a violent and harrowing climax that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
22 Robert De Niro - Frankenstein - $112 Million - Starring Role
In the movie Frankenstein, Robert De Niro stars as a creature brought to life by Dr. Victor Frankenstein (played by Kenneth Branagh). The film follows the creature as he struggles to find his place in the world and seeks revenge against his creator.
Robert De Niro's portrayal of the creature is haunting and powerful, capturing both the character's vulnerability and his terrifying rage.
21 Robert De Niro - Casino - $110 Million - Starring Role
Casino stars Robert De Niro as Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a professional gambler tasked with running the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Despite his success, Sam's life is complicated by his volatile relationship with his wife Ginger, played by Sharon Stone, and his ties to the local mafia.
Casino is a thrilling exploration of the inner workings of the gambling industry and the dark side of Las Vegas, with De Niro delivering a masterful performance as a man caught between his ambition and his conscience.
20 Robert De Niro - Heat - $187 Million - Starring Role
Heat is a movie starring Robert De Niro as a career criminal who agrees to one last heist before retiring. De Niro's character, Neil McCauley, is a master thief who leads a group of highly skilled criminals in a series of daring robberies across Los Angeles. The film also stars Al Pacino as Vincent Hanna, a veteran LAPD detective who becomes obsessed with catching McCauley and his crew.
Heat is known for its intense action sequences, complex characters, and the iconic showdown between De Niro and Pacino in a coffee shop. The chemistry between De Niro and Pacino isn't forced what-so-ever, what makes them such an amazing team is there long time friendship and respect for each other.
19 Robert De Niro - Sleepers - $166 Million - Starring Role
In the movie Sleepers, Robert De Niro stars as Father Bobby, a Catholic priest who becomes a mentor to a group of young boys from Hell's Kitchen. The boys, played by Brad Pitt, Kevin Bacon, Jason Patric, and Billy Crudup, are sent to a juvenile detention center after a prank goes wrong and they accidentally kill a man.
While at the center, they are subjected to horrific abuse by the guards, and when they are released, they seek revenge on those who wronged them. Throughout the film, De Niro's character serves as a moral compass for the boys, trying to guide them towards forgiveness and redemption instead of seeking revenge. However, the boys struggle with their traumatic experiences and ultimately choose to take matters into their own hands.
18 Robert De Niro - Analyze This - $177 Million - Starring Role
Analyze This stars Robert De Niro as a feared and powerful mob boss named Paul Vitti. Vitti begins to experience panic attacks and seeks the help of a psychiatrist named Dr. Ben Sobel, played by Billy Crystal. As Sobel tries to treat Vitti, he finds himself getting pulled into the dangerous world of organized crime. The film is a comedic take on the mafia genre and features excellent performances from both De Niro and Crystal.
17 Robert De Niro - Meet The Parents - $330 Million - Starring Role
Meet the Parents is a hilarious comedy starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. De Niro's character is a retired CIA agent who is very protective of his daughter, played by Teri Polo. Stiller's character, Greg, is a nurse who is in love with Pam, De Niro's daughter. When Greg is invited to meet Pam's parents, he is determined to make a good impression and win over her father's approval.
However, things quickly go awry when Greg finds himself in one embarrassing situation after another, causing De Niro's character to become increasingly suspicious and hostile towards him. The chaos that ensues, just gets funnier as the film goes on. At one point Stiller's character walks in on Jinx, the cat, using the toilet, that is before he goes missing. Oddly enough, Robert De Niro grew very attached to the cat while filming Meet the Parents and ended up adopting him. Meet the Parents is still a classic comedy loved by many today.
16 Robert De Niro - The Score - $114 Million - Starring Role
The Score stars Robert De Niro as Frank Pierce, a retired professional thief who is drawn back into the criminal world for one last heist. The film follows Pierce and his team as they plan and execute the robbery of a priceless French scepter from a heavily guarded museum. Along the way, Pierce must navigate the treacherous relationships within his own team as well as the dangerous and unpredictable underworld of organized crime.
15 Robert De Niro - Shark Tale - $372 Million - Starring Role
In the animated movie Shark Tale, Robert De Niro lends his voice as Don Lino, the head of a mobster shark family. His character is a ruthless and intimidating figure, but he also has a vulnerable side that is revealed throughout the film.
Robert De Niro's performance brings a level of gravitas to the character, making him both menacing and sympathetic.
