BeforeRobert Downey Jrreturns to the MCU as Doctor Doom, he played a veterinarian who could speak to animals in this 2020 feature.Dolittlewas Downey Jr’s first project following the end of his MCU tenure inAvengers: Endgame. While this feature received a low 15% critics' score onRotten Tomatoes, it was well-liked by fans to the point that it has surged in streaming, just a year before we see the actor once more inAvengers: Doomsday.
According to FlixPatrol,Dolittlesits at #8 on Netflix’s Top 10 Movies on June 10, 2025, worldwide, sandwiched betweenThe NorthmanandRampage. Directed byStephen Gaghan, Dolittle takes place in the Victorian era, where Dr. John Dolittle (Downey Jr) embarks on an adventure with his animal friends to find a cure for an ill Queen Victoria. Dolittle boasts a star-studded cast as some of the animals are voiced by notable actors, such asEmma Thompson,Rami Malek,John Cena,Kumail Nanjiani,Tom Holland,Ralph Fiennes, andSelena Gomez. Meanwhile, some of the cast members who play the human characters areAntonio Banderas,Michael Sheen,Jim Broadbent,Jessie Buckley,andRalph Ineson.
Unfortunately forDolittle, despite its big-name cast, it was heavily criticized by critics, winning “Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel” at the 2021 Golden Raspberry Awards. But it did win “Favorite Movie Actor” at the 2021 Kids' Choice Awards and earned a 76% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Career, Explained
Before he starred in the MCU as Iron Man, Downey Jr started his career in 1970, when he landed his first role in the filmPound. Since then, he has appeared in numerous TV shows, movies, and stage plays, earning numerous awards, such as “Best Supporting Actor” during the 2024 Academy Awards, multiple “Best Actor” wins at the Saturn Awards, as well as two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2001 and 2024. Outside the MCU, Downey Jr appeared inTropic Thunder, The Judge,Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,Oppenheimer,andThe Sympathizer.
Downey Jr has appeared in nine films in the MCU, making his debut in 2008’sIron Manas Tony Stark/Iron Man, and ending his tenure in Avengers: Endgamein 2019. However, he’s set tomake his grand return as Victor Von Doom inAvengers: Doomsday, with theRusso Brothersdirecting the project, and its sequel,Avengers: Secret Wars. The actor’s return doesn’t come cheap, asVarietyreported that his paycheck has increased, along with perks like private jet travel.
Dolittleis available to stream on Prime Video.
