Entertainment
The Best Movies and TV Shows That Explain Villains’ Origin Stories
15. The War With Grandpa
Grandpa Ed takes over his grandson’s room, sparking an all‑out prank war of shaving‑cream traps and poop gags. De Niro’s gruff playfulness, plus a skateboarding Christopher Walken cameo, keeps this light family romp silly and harmless. | © Dimension Films
14. Analyze That
Robert De Niro slips back into mobster mode in Analyze That, with Paul Vitti stumbling through therapy and a gig teaching actors how to sound authentically tough. His wild mood swings and clumsy bids for a clean life spark fast laughs, even if the plot feels lighter than the original. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
13. Last Vegas
Old friendships get a second wind in Last Vegas when Robert De Niro joins Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline for a late‑life bachelor blowout in Sin City. Playing a grumpy but loyal widower, De Niro layers prickly jokes with quiet warmth, adding a touch of heart to this easygoing comedy. | © CBS Films
12. About My Father
Decked in flag prints, De Niro becomes Salvo, a no‑filter Italian dad meeting his son’s wealthy WASP in‑laws in About My Father. His mix of straight talk and genuine warmth softens the easy culture‑clash jokes, turning the film into a breezy reminder that family pride can bridge any gap. | © Lionsgate Films
11. The Family
Robert De Niro is Giovanni Manzoni in The Family, an ex‑mob boss hiding in a peaceful French village who keeps slipping back into gangster habits. His sudden flips from laid‑back dad to ruthless wise‑guy spark dark laughs, even when the film’s mix of comedy and violence feels uneven. | © Relativity Media
10. Grudge Match
Thirty years after leaving the ring, De Niro’s faded champ signs on for one last bout with Sylvester Stallone, making Grudge Match a funny yet touching duel of ageing rivals. His attempt to reconnect with his estranged son‑turned‑trainer delivers the emotional punch that lifts the film above its gimmicky setup. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
9. What Just Happened
Hollywood chaos swirls around Ben, the tired producer De Niro inhabits, as he juggles two sinking films, a diva Bruce Willis, and a family life in shambles. By keeping Ben’s panic low‑key, De Niro turns this showbiz dramedy into a quietly funny portrait of a man on the brink. | © Magnolia Pictures
8. The Comedian
Robert De Niro plays Jackie Burke, a once‑famous sitcom star clawing his way back to edgy stand‑up after years in TV exile. His sharp jabs and underlying vulnerability turn this late‑career reboot into a wry, surprisingly tender look at second chances. | © Sony Pictures Classics
7. We’re No Angels
Robert De Niro swaps gangland grit for a priest’s robe, posing as a clergyman to stay one step ahead of the law alongside Sean Penn. The film can wobble, but De Niro’s blend of wary street smarts and unexpected warmth makes the disguise amusing and shows he’s game for lighter laughs. | © Paramount Pictures
6. Machete
In Machete, Robert De Niro has a blast as a crooked Texas senator who fakes an assassination attempt to sell his hard‑line immigration plan. Wearing a cowboy hat and a thick drawl, he turns the role into a gleeful caricature of political sleaze, adding a big dose of dark humor to this over‑the‑top action comedy. | © 20th Century Studios
5. Meet the Parents
Robert De Niro delivers one of his most iconic performances as Jack Byrnes, the silent father-in-law from hell. De Niro’s straight-faced performance makes his disapproval of Stiller’s awkward Greg even funnier, using his tough-guy image to build perfect comic tension. | © Universal Studios
4. The Intern
Robert De Niro brings unexpected charm to the role of Ben, a retired widower who becomes an intern at a trendy startup. Though his character may seem one-dimensional, the sincerity of the actor elevates him, making Ben a lovable grandfatherly figure. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
3. Brazil
Robert De Niro delivers a standout performance as Harry Tuttle, a terrorist-plumber who disrupts a dystopian bureaucracy with a simple mission of fixing pipes. De Niro's understated yet perfectly timed comedy shines through in just a few scenes, proving that less is often more when it comes to crafting an unforgettable character. | © 20th Century Studios
2. Midnight Run
Robert De Niro as Jack Walsh in Midnight Run is a tough but decent bounty hunter, and his performance feels hilarious and grounded. The comedy lies in his partnership with Charles Grodin, where De Niro's character’s simmering rage plays off Grodin's nonchalant humor. | © Universal Pictures
1. Wag the Dog
Wag the Dog is notable for Robert De Niro, as he delivers a masterclass in understated comedy as a smooth-talking political operative who starts a fake war to distract from a presidential scandal. His quiet confidence and subtle wit anchor the film, providing a perfect counterbalance to Dustin Hoffman's flashy performance. | © New Line Cinema
