Robert Downey Jr and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Only Official Movie Together Obliterates on Streaming

Robert Downey Jr. is famous for playing larger-than-life characters, but one of his more grounded roles is now enjoying a second life on streaming. The Judge, the 2014 legal drama directed by David Dobkin, has stormed back into Netflix’s charts once again a decade after its theatrical run.

In the film, Downey Jr. plays Hank Palmer, a cocky Chicago defense lawyer who returns to his small Indiana hometown for his mother’s funeral. What should have been a short visit quickly turns messy when his father, Joseph Palmer—the town’s longtime judge, played by Robert Duvall—is accused of killing a man in a hit-and-run. Despite their bitter history, Hank ends up defending the very man he has spent years avoiding.

The movie is special for another reason. It remains the only film in which Downey Jr. shares the screen with Vincent D’Onofrio, who plays Hank’s older brother, Glen. Downey Jr. was so impressed by his co-star that he told Deadline in 2014 that he would “rather not do a movie without Vincent D’Onofrio, ever again.” Sadly, that wish is yet to come true, even though both actors are now major names in the Marvel universe.

Robert Downey Jr.’s The Judge Is Now At No. 5 on Netflix Charts

Robert Downey Jr. and Vincent D’Onofrio in The Judge | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Judge is once again one of the most-watched movies on Netflix. According to FlixPatrol, the courtroom drama ranked No. 5 on Netflix’s worldwide movie chart on September 25, 2026. It ranked in the top 10 among Netflix originals like Best of the Best and The Whisper Man.

So why is a 12-year-old drama suddenly back in the spotlight? The biggest reason is its fresh arrival on Netflix in several markets, including France, where it landed on September 17, 2026. The timing is also a factor here.

Robert Duvall passed away in February 2026 at the age of 95, and fans are revisiting one of his last major roles, which made him the oldest Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee at the time. On top of that, the buzz around Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, which hits theaters on December 18, has kept the actor in the headlines.

This isn’t the film’s first streaming comeback either. When it arrived on Netflix US in May 2024, it racked up 5.3 million views and climbed to No. 3. Downey Jr.’s role in Oppenheimer helped this resurgence at that time.

The Judge Is a Divisive Courtroom Drama That Found Success on Netflix

Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall in The Judge | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Judge was never a critics’ favorite. When it opened in 2014, reviewers were split, and the film still sits at a middling 49% on Rotten Tomatoes (as of September 25, 2026). Many critics felt it tried too hard to tug at the heartstrings. Others took issue with its long runtime of nearly two and a half hours.

Many also found the story to be crowded with side plots, from Hank’s rekindled romance with his high school sweetheart Samantha, played by Vera Farmiga, to the struggles of his brothers. Some also felt the courtroom scenes leaned on familiar genre clichés.

Still, almost everyone agreed on one thing. The acting performances were excellent. Robert Downey Jr. brought his trademark charm and sharp wit to Hank, while Duvall delivered a raw and emotional performance that earned him Oscar, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations.

Vincent D’Onofrio and a pre-Succession Jeremy Strong, who play Hank’s brothers, also added plenty of heart to the family drama. The film did decent business at the box office too, earning $84.4 million against an estimated $50 million budget (via Box Office Mojo).

But it is on Netflix that The Judge has truly found its audience. Viewers seem to be embracing it for what it is: a heartfelt, old-school father-son story backed by a stacked cast.

Did you enjoy The Judge on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!