Robert De Niro has appeared in dozens of theatrical features across five decades, from early character work in the late 1960s to globally recognized leading roles and supporting turns in the 2020s. This chronological list presents his films in order of release so you can follow his career trajectory or find a specific title quickly. It emphasizes widely released features and notable performances, omitting brief appearances, documentaries without substantial roles, and unreleased projects.
Early Career and Breakthrough (1960s–1974)
1968: Journey Into Self
De Niro's first screen credit is a small role in this low-budget drama, where he plays a minor character among an ensemble. It is primarily of interest as an early footprint of an actor who would soon redefine method-influenced screen acting.
1969: Bang the Drum Slowly
He appears as a baseball player in this sensitive drama about illness and friendship. The film is remembered for strong ensemble performances rather than De Niro's brief part, but it illustrates his early presence in emotionally grounded stories.
1970: Hello, Again
In this Japanese production, De Niro plays a supporting role in a domestic drama. The film remains obscure outside cinephile circles and is listed here mainly for completeness regarding his very early international work.
1973: Mean Streets
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this crime drama marks the turning point that introduces De Niro to a broader audience. As Johnny Boy, his charismatic volatility helped define a new kind of New York tough guy in cinema.
1974: The Godfather Part II
De Niro plays a younger version of Vito Corleone in flashbacks, a performance that earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This established him as both a dramatic force and a bankable presence in major studio fare.
Rising Stardom and Peak Experimentation (1975–1983)
1975: Dog Day Afternoon
His portrayal of Salvatore Naturile, a hostage-taker driven by desperation and love, showcased intense preparation and nuanced vulnerability. The film remains a benchmark for character-driven crime thrillers.
1976: Taxi Driver
De Niro's turn as Travis Bickle is one of his most iconic roles, with the phrase 'You talkin' to me?' entering popular culture. The film cemented his reputation for playing volatile, isolated figures.
1977: The Fury
In this supernatural thriller, he plays a father tracking his telekinetically gifted daughter. Though the film divided critics, it highlighted his willingness to experiment outside gritty realism.
1978: An Unmarried Woman
He plays a painter whose life intersects with a dissatisfied housewife. The film further demonstrated his range in intimate, adult-oriented dramas beyond crime and gangster stories.
1980: Raging Bull
His transformative performance as boxer Jake LaMotta earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The role remains a high point in his collaboration with Scorsese and a benchmark for physical and emotional metamorphosis on screen.
1983: The King of Comedy
De Niro plays a talk-show host in this dark comedy about obsession and fame. His detached, corporate onscreen persona contrasted sharply with his earlier volatile characters, showing his interest in satire and meta-commentary.
Diversification and Mature Mastery (1984–1999)
1984: Once Upon a Time in America
Spanning several decades, he plays David 'Noodles' Aaronson in a sweeping epic about friendship, memory, and myth. The film is noted for its deliberate pacing and ambitious scope, even if initial releases differed from the director's preferred cut.
1986: The Untouchables
Playing the gangster Al Capone, he won a second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal balanced menace and dark humor, and the film remains a popular touchstone in crime cinema of the era.
1988: Midnight Run
He stars as a bounty hunter pursuing a former accountant in this action-comedy. The movie is notable for pairing him with broader comic energy while retaining his character's gritty edge.
1990: Goodfellas
Though a supporting role, his depiction of Jimmy Conway is iconic within the ensemble. The film is frequently cited as one of the greatest gangster movies, with his performance contributing to its textured realism.
1991: Cape Fear
De Niro plays the intimidating parolee Max Cady, revisiting menacing territory with calculated precision. The role demonstrated his comfort with morally complex antagonists and elevated the film's suspense.
1993: A Bronx Tale
He co-wrote, directed, and starred as Lorenzo Anello, a father trying to keep his son on the right path. This project is often mentioned as a labor of love that blends personal history with popular appeal.
1995: Casino
As Sam 'Ace' Rothstein, he delivers a layered performance of charm and unraveling control. The film is widely regarded as one of his finest, combining charisma with tragic undertones.
1996: Sleepers
He plays a lawyer helping abused youths seek justice. The material sparked conversation about vigilante ethics, and his involvement brought significant attention to the project.
1999: Analyze This
In this comedy, he portrays a mafia boss struggling with panic attacks. The role leaned into humor while retaining his ability to shift quickly between menace and vulnerability.
Later Career and Reflective Turns (2000–2019)
2000: Meet the Parents
A return to broad comedy, where he plays a retired CIA operative intimidating his future son-in-law. The film was a major commercial success and showed his comfort with contemporary family humor.
2002: Analyze That
The sequel to Analyze This flips the premise, focusing on his character seeking therapy. The continuation reinforced the comedic chemistry between him and co-star Billy Crystal.
2004: The Taxi Driver
This is not a De Niro film; it is a title confusion with the 1976 classic Taxi Driver listed again for reference. No new performance or release is associated with this entry.
2006: The Departed
He plays a police chief in this crime thriller that won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture. His measured authority balanced the film's intense cat-and-mouse dynamics.
2006: The Good Shepherd
De Niro directed and starred in this CIA origin story, reflecting on power and loyalty. While reviews were mixed, it is noted for his behind-the-camera work and ambitious scope.
2008: What's Your Number?
A light romantic-comedy role where he plays a charming neighbor. The film is minor in his filmography but illustrates his willingness to appear in accessible, mainstream fare.
2010: Valentine's Day
He appears in an ensemble romantic comedy, contributing his recognizable presence to a segment focused on older characters. Such roles underscored his continuing draw at the box office.
2012: Red Lights
He plays a physicist investigating paranormal phenomena. The project signaled a willingness to take on smaller, genre-oriented independent films later in his career.
2012: The Impossible
He plays the father in this tense survival drama based on a true story. His restrained performance amid chaos was noted as a strong supporting turn in a film driven by emotion and tension.
2016: The Intern
He plays a retired widower taking an internship at an online fashion site. The role was seen as a gentle, affable counterpoint to earlier intense characters and demonstrated ongoing audience appeal.
2019: The Irishman3>
Directed by Scorsese, this epic crime drama uses digital de-aging to place him as a hitman reflecting on his past. The performance earned renewed critical attention and reinforced his status as a master of the genre.
2020s and Legacy
2023: Killers of the Flower Moon
He appears in a supporting role within this large-scale historical drama, once again linking him to major auteur-driven projects. It reflects continued demand for his presence in prestige filmmaking.
Quick Reference: Notable Films in Order
The table below highlights key milestones in De Niro's feature-film timeline, focusing on theatrical features with substantial roles.
| Year | Film | Role Type | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Mean Streets | Lead | Breakout character role; Scorsese collaboration |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II | Supporting | Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (young Vito) |
| 1976 | Taxi Driver | Lead | Cultural icon; Travis Bickle |
| 1980 | Raging Bull | Lead | Oscar for Best Actor; transformative physical work |
| 1986 | The Untouchables | Supporting | Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (Al Capone) |
| 1990 | Goodfellas | Supporting | Widely cited gangster classic performance |
| 1995 | Casino | Lead | Layered portrait of a gambling empire boss |
| 2006 | The Departed | Supporting | Oscar for Best Picture; authoritative police chief |
| 2019 | The Irishman | Lead | De-aging tech; reflective crime epic |
| 2023 | Killers of the Flower Moon | Supporting | Large-scale historical drama; continued relevance |
This chronological overview covers widely released theatrical features in which De Niro performed a notable role. It excludes short films, documentaries without a substantial scripted role, and projects that were announced but never completed. Use this as a durable reference for exploring his filmography or for planning a viewing sequence.