18 Years Later, Robert Downey Jr.’s 94% RT Hit That Launched $32B Franchise Surges on Disney+

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Viewers are still loving the original Marvel Cinematic Universe film! It’s back in the Top 10 most-watched movies on Disney+ as its 18th anniversary approaches.

According to FlixPatrol, Iron Man is currently the ninth most popular title on Disney+ in the United States. It’s not the only Marvel Cinematic Universe film in the top ten; Spider-Man: Far From Home is at number seven, Spider-Man: Homecoming is at number five, and Daredevil: Born Again is second. Of those three, only Homecoming includes a cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as his character, Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Iron Man Launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Jon Favreau directed Iron Man, a film about Tony Stark, a brilliant engineer and wealthy businessman. After being kidnapped and escaping, Stark creates a high-tech armored suit and transforms into the Iron Man. The movie starred Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, and Gwyneth Paltrow, and it was a critical and commercial success, earning over $585 million worldwide.

The movie Iron Man kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe, setting the stage for how future films would begin. Its successful formula of telling an origin story was then used in Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, both released in 2011. These heroes – Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Black Widow – finally teamed up in the crossover film Marvel’s The Avengers in 2012.

Before the Iron Man movie came out, he wasn’t as well-known to general audiences as superheroes like Spider-Man, Hulk, and the X-Men. But the film, and especially Robert Downey Jr.’s performance, quickly changed that, making Iron Man one of the most popular superheroes in Hollywood.

Following his role in Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. continued to play the iconic character – a brilliant, wealthy, and generous hero – in nine more Marvel Studios films throughout The Infinity Saga. He last appeared as Iron Man in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, where the character famously sacrificed himself to save the universe, using the Infinity Stones to defeat Thanos and his forces.

Robert Downey Jr. Is Coming Back to the MCU as Doctor Doom

Avengers: Endgame marked the end of an era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, wrapping up the first three phases and the storylines of Iron Man and Captain America. Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans both finished their runs as these iconic characters with the 2019 film, and fans widely believed they wouldn’t return to the MCU in live-action roles.

Seven years later, both Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans are expected to reprise their roles in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie. Chris Evans will return as Steve Rogers/Captain America, but Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man will not be brought back – his character’s sacrifice in Endgame will stand.

Robert Downey Jr. is set to play Doctor Doom, the primary villain from the Fantastic Four, within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He briefly appeared at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but will officially take on the role in Doomsday, facing off against a united team of Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four.

Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Doctor Doom in the sequel to Doomsday, titled Avengers: Secret Wars. The Russo brothers, who directed Endgame, are returning to direct both films. Doomsday is currently scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, though Disney may adjust that date, and Secret Wars will follow on December 17, 2027.

Iron Man is available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-04-10 22:06