Robert Downey Jr is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, and has one of the best comeback stories for such success. USA Inquirer states that even though Downey was exposed to drugs and alcohol at a young age, and struggled with substance abuse, he was able to rise above and become one of the highest-paid actors to date. One might know him as Sherlock Homes, or for his controversial role in Tropic Thunder, but Iron Man is without a doubt his most notable role. Throughout the years of Downey Jr. playing Tony Stark, fans who watch interviews with him often mention how much he acts like Stark, even when he’s not acting. When one plays a role that influential, it’s easy to see how certain mannerisms and language can be adapted.


While Tony Stark is a somewhat sore subject with Marvel fans, some loving his character, while some blame a majority of what happens in the MCU films on him, he’s still one of the core superheroes in the MCU. In defense of Tony and his personality, CBN states that he was often surrounded by people who led him to make bad choices and ruin things for himself. So technically, the blame isn’t entirely on Tony Stark, such as Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) never being able to stop his boss from doing something life-threatening. That being said, Tony Stark is an icon, and here’s a list of his best appearances in the MCU.

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9 Iron Man 2 (2010)

Although this is the film that introduced viewers to Black Widow and Don Cheadle as Rhodey, Iron Man 2 falls to the bottom of this list. Fans weren’t necessarily captivated by the villain, Ivan Vanko, and expressed that it wasn’t as energetic as Tony Stark’s other films. This film really plays into the characterization of Tony being a playboy, as it included several party scenes, while lacking development and action.

8 Iron Man 3 (2013)

In his third solo movie, things take a darker turn than the first two. This film shines a light on the potential PTSD Tony is suffering from the battle of New York in The Avengers. It’s easy to state that Tony Stark’s character is meant to be essentially heartless and cold, reveling in his stacks of cash. But in reality, he’s a complex character that has many layers. Throughout the plot, Tony and Pepper’s relationship becomes more defined, as well as the character Harvey Keener being introduced to the franchise. When Stark inevitably defeats his villain, he has all Iron Man suits destroyed by J.A.R.V.I.S, claiming that he’ll work on pulling back on fighting terrible guys and saving the world.

7 Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Tony’s characters got a bit of backlash in this film, due to a comment he made at the after-party scene, before Ultron makes his first physical appearance. Before he tries to lift Thor’s hammer, he makes a comment about re-instating Prima Nocta if he’s able to lift it, and the “joke” fell flat on its face with viewers. Many people, even fans made statements about how that comment destroyed his character and made him extremely creepy. From the creation and destruction of Ultron, Vision was born so Tony Stark, as well as Bruce Banner, are to be thanked for that in this film.

6 The Avengers (2012)

In the first movie with all the Marvel heroes coming together, Tony Stark is in his prime. The true characterization of him being snobby, rich, and stuck-up really shines in this movie, as he interacts with the other members of the team. He makes comments about Nick Fury’s singular eye, snacks on different foods throughout the film, and completely destroys New York City by the end of it. For Tony, this is the birth of what Thanos is creating and what is going to happen to Earth several years later, so it’s important for him, regardless of how he acted.

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5 Iron Man (2008)

This is the film that started it all for Tony Stark. He was already a billionaire with a cult following, but after he’s taken and held captive, he decides that he needs to protect himself in a way that only money could possibly buy. Tony designs a weaponized suit through several acts of trial and error to save not only himself, but the world from lingering evil. He quickly falls into the role of America’s hero and gets betrayed by one of his closest friends, leading to the birth of Iron Man and what he stands for.

4 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

While this film in the franchise mostly centers around Peter Parker stepping into his friendly neighborhood Spider-Man role, Tony Stark also appears several times throughout the movie. Viewers are able to see the mentoring that’s beginning to take place between the pair, with Tony stepping in several times when Peter can’t seem to make the right decision. It’s clear that this movie is setting up for what’s to come after Endgame; Peter admiring and looking up to Tony Stark, wanting to be just like him and help as many people as he can. It’s also a good insight into what Peter feels during Spider-Man: Far From Home. Tony’s role in this film proves that he cares more about Peter than the spider-ling thinks, tricking out his suit for every possible instance, and it also rounds Peter’s character out as well.

3 Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Whether fans were Team Cap or Team Iron Man, movie theater seats were filled for this massive blockbuster event. Suddenly on opposite sides after years of fighting together, the Avengers are seemingly split down the middle as they try and decide what’s best for the world, and what’s best for the team. Tony Stark has many faces in the MCU, but we see a different one in the third Captain America movie; one of grief. When it’s revealed that Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) killed Tony’s parents, all arguments seem to vanish from the table, and Tony’s anger is justified. When it’s also exposed that Steve Rogers knew the whole time, viewers are made to understand the lack of communication that followed from Civil War to Infinity War.

2 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The look of devastation on Tony’s face while Doctor Strange and Wong describe to him who Thanos is and what he intends on doing to Earth, says it all. This was Tony’s worst nightmare, the moment he’s been dreading since 2012, after the events in The Avengers took place. In Infinity War, Stark takes back the leadership role that he gave up back in Civil War and handles it with more grace this time around, stuck in space and preparing for his moment with Thanos, in hopes to get the job done before half the population vanishes. Devastation once again hits Tony, as he watches all but one of his team members disappear into dust, having a terribly sad moment with Peter Parker as he struggles to find words to soothe the young kid. There are several great fight scenes featured in this installment of the Avengers franchise that features Iron Man’s abilities, and all the new technology he put into his suit, as well as Spider-Man’s suit.

1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)

From the very beginning of the movie, viewers can tell that Tony Stark is tired. Tired of fighting, tired of losing, and tired of watching the people he loves die. After he returns to Earth and some time passes, Tony visibly looks older and more relaxed after it’s revealed that Pepper and him have a daughter and that they’ve settled down. When duty calls, and he’s roped back into fighting Thanos (again), he puts everything on the line for the people he cares about the most. He snaps his fingers and destroys Thanos, but also himself, saving everyone from despair while he makes the ultimate sacrifice.