The 2008 film starring Robert Downey Jr. – the one that kicked off the hugely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe – is back on the Disney+ streaming charts. Remarkably, the Marvel Universe is still thriving almost 20 years later.
Yesterday, Iron Man started at number 9 on Disney+’s list of the top 10 most popular movies in the U.S., according to FlixPatrol, and it’s still there today. Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Homecoming fell to number 5, and Avengers: Infinity War moved down to number 8.
Iron Man Was the Blueprint for the MCU’s Early Movies
I’ll never forget seeing Iron Man back in 2008 – it was the movie that started it all for the Marvel Cinematic Universe! It really told us Tony Stark’s origin story. Jon Favreau not only directed it, but he was in it too, playing Happy Hogan, Tony’s bodyguard. The movie showed how Tony, a brilliant engineer and wealthy businessman, was captured, and then used his genius to build an incredible armored suit and become the hero we know and love.
Although Iron Man wasn’t as well-known as superheroes like Spider-Man, Hulk, or the X-Men, the movie became a huge success, earning over $585 million globally. A big reason for this was Robert Downey Jr.’s fantastic performance as Tony Stark.
Marvel Studios built its early movies around the success of Iron Man. Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger followed a similar pattern, introducing the heroes before they teamed up in Marvel’s The Avengers. That 2012 film brought together the core heroes from the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America—along with supporting characters like Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury, who had first appeared in Iron Man 2 and Thor.
Robert Downey Jr. continued to play the iconic character – a brilliant, wealthy, charismatic, and charitable hero – in nine more Marvel movies. He officially retired from the role in 2019 with Avengers: Endgame. The film culminated in a memorable scene where his character made the ultimate sacrifice, using the Infinity Stones to destroy Thanos and his army, ultimately saving the universe.
Robert Downey Jr. Is Returning to the MCU, But Not as Iron Man
When Robert Downey Jr. finished his run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2019, most fans believed he wouldn’t return, particularly after winning an Oscar in March 2024 for his role in Oppenheimer. But, surprisingly, he announced his comeback to the MCU at San Diego Comic-Con a few months later – though not as the iconic Iron Man.
Kang the Conqueror will be the primary villain in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors of Endgame, are returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to direct these films. While specific plot details are still secret, the movies will center around the Avengers’ efforts to prevent Doctor Doom from taking over the Multiverse.
Iron Man, as well as the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, can be streamed on Disney+.
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2026-03-25 23:37