Due Date
Robert Downey Jr.andJokerdirector Todd Phillips road trip comedy with a 39% Rotten Tomatoes score is climbing the Netflix charts, more than a decade after its original release.
Among the most successful and beloved contemporary actors, Downey Jr. has starred in a wide variety of movies throughout his well-observed, 55-year career.
Before portrayingLewis Strauss inOppenheimer, which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, or his tenure as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the MCU, he had done many comedies and evenjoined the cast ofSNLduring season 11.
Within comedy, Downey Jr. appeared inThe Pick-up Artist,Soapdish,The Shaggy Dog, and the acclaimed, but debated,Tropic Thunder, among other films.
However, he has proven more than capable of working across genres, as evidenced by his more dramatic roles and blockbuster accomplishments, similar to Todd Phillips transition from largely humor-infused projects to the 2019 thrillerJoker.
Prior to making that movie, based on the eponymousDC Comics villain,Phillips was known for directingThe Hangoverand its two sequels, along with a profitable, but poorly received, road trip comedy starring Downey Jr.
Due Date Is Finding Success On Netflix
Robert Downey Jr.’s Comedy Has Made The Top 10 Chart
A collaboration between Robert Downey Jr. and Todd Phillips came in 2010, with the release ofDue Date.
The film centers on Peter Highman (Downey Jr.) and his cross-country adventure with eccentric amateur actor Ethan Tremblay (played by Zach Galifianakis), as he races home for the birth of his child.
Along with Downey Jr. and Galifianakis, the cast ofDue Dateincludes Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, and Danny McBride.
Despite being a box office success, earning over $211 million, there was disappointing reception for the movie andon Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds a critic-based score of just 39%.
Starring Robert Downey Jr. as responsible architect Peter Highman and Zach Galifianakis as the annoying aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay, Todd Phillips' Due Date follows two drastically different men as they try to arrive in Los Angeles Peter’s wife gives birth to his son. The comedy movie also includes Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, and Keegan-Michael Key in supporting roles.
From Chaplin to Sherlock to Iron Man Himself, here are the films of Robert Downey Jr. ranked from worst to best.
Now, withDue Datebeing on Netflix, the film is gaining impressive viewership 14 years after being released in theaters.The comedy presently stands at number 5on the streaming services Top 10 Movies in the U.S. chart and is behind onlyDespicable Me 2,Despicable Me, Netflix productAd Vitam, andRush Hour.
Due Datereceived negative reactions from critics and audiences alike, as it currently holds a 52% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What The Netflix Success Of Due Date Means
Robert Downey Jr. & Todd Phillips Remain A Draw
The latest success ofDue Dateon Netflix indicates that audiences are still eager to see Robert Downey Jr. movies, outside his work in the MCU, and perhaps, the more humorous, the better.
Given how well the film performed commercially, there may even have been renewed interest from viewers who enjoyed it 14 years ago, once it became accessible on streaming.
Also, while Phillips veered into a darker genre withJokerand its sequel, theunderwhelmingJoker: Folie a Deux, those who enjoy his other directorial features are likely drawn to this style of comedy, reminiscent ofThe Hangover.
Source: Netflix
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Cast
Starring Robert Downey Jr. as responsible architect Peter Highman and Zach Galifianakis as the annoying aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay, Todd Phillips' Due Date follows two drastically different men as they take a stab at arrive in Los Angeles Peter’s wife gives birth to his son.
The comedy movie also includes Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, and Keegan-Michael Key in supporting roles.
