Robert Pattinson arrived on the big screen as the new Batman for The Batman directed by Matt Reeves. Before his new big level up, Pattinson had starred in more than a handful of well-known films and roles. His breakthrough lead role was as the dazzling vampire Edward Cullen in the movie adaptations of the Twilight book series.
Despite this being his most recognized role, Pattinson has done well bringing to life drama-filled characters on screen to marvel at. His best roles have gotten significantly high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and make for the perfect way to get started on the ultimate Pattinson film binge.
Updated on March 13th, 2022, by Shawn S. Lealos: Robert Pattinson returned in 2022 for his biggest role since he finished the Twilight Saga. This time around, he is Bruce Wayne, who also fights crime as Batman. However, fans were not willing to accept him, until the movie was in theaters and the actor won them over.
This should allow fans to go back and look at some more of the best Robert Pattinson movies, where they will quickly learn that he is more than just a vampire in a teen romantic fantasy movie series. He has a larger body of work than many fans might realize, so here are five more of his higher-rated movies to get a good idea of what the new Bruce Wayne is all about.
15 Water For Elephants (2011) – 60%
- Streaming now on Hulu.
Water for Elephants is a Robert Pattinson movie that is based on the Sara Green novel of the same name. The book was about an old man in a nursing home who lives by a strict regime but remembers his past, working in a circus, when he was young. The movie is set up the same way, and Pattinson plays the man in his younger days.
Critics praised the movie’s story and said it was beautifully filmed. However, Pattinson did not escape a share of the criticism, with critics complaining about a lack of chemistry between him and Reese Witherspoon, who played his love interest.
14 Maps To The Stars (2014) – 61%
- Streaming now on Metrograph.
Robert Pattinson and David Cronenberg first worked together on the movie Cosmopolis in 2012 and they reunited in 2014 for Maps to the Stars. The second movie was not as appreciated by critics as the first but still finished with a slightly positive Rotten Tomatoes score.
Maps to the Stars stars Pattinson as Jerome, a limousine driver hired by the estranged daughter of a famous TV psychologist. Critics complained the story was unwieldy, but it was a movie twisted enough that Cronenberg’s fans could appreciate it.
13 The Devil All The Time (2020) – 64%
- Streaming now on Netflix.
Netflix released the horror drama The Devil All the Time in 2020, a movie with Tom Holland starring as the son of a wartime veteran who left him mentally scarred as he became an adult. Robert Pattinson stars as a small-time preacher who rolls into town and proves to be less than holy.
Critics praised the movie’s descent into darkness, but also said that it could make the viewer feel punished and bleak at times. However, they also praised the cast, with Tom Holland delivering a different performance than his fans are used to and Pattinson providing a great villain.
12 Life (2015) – 64%
- Streaming now on Peacock+.
Not to be confused with the science fiction movie from 2017 with the same name, Life starred Robert Pattinson as real-life photographer Dennis Stock and his relationship with actor James Dean, played here by Dane DeHaan. The movie received a limited release and remains lesser known than other Pattinson movies.
Fans mostly disliked the movie, as it has a 44% approval rating from the Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, critics were more favorable, saying it might frustrate fans who wanted a more intense look at James Dean’s life, but they praised the acting and direction of the movie.
11 Cosmopolis (2012) — 66%
- Streaming now on Prime Video.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the film Cosmopolis a higher ranking than IMDb which only ranked the film at 5.1. The Canadian drama-thriller stars Pattinson in the lead role as Eric Packer. His character and storyline are an adaptation of the novel by the same name by Don DeLillo.
The film details the circumstances and odd characters Packer meets on his way to the barber. During his journey, his life starts to crumble, as he starts to lose his fortune due to a drop in currency rates. All the while, he mentally starts to unravel and do bad things. Some critics found the film hypnotic and profound while many viewers were left a bit confused.
10 The Rover (2014) — 67%
- Streaming now on Showtime and Hoopla.
The film The Rover has a bit of everything, from a dystopian reality to Western themes, and plenty of drama. It takes place in Australia after a global economic collapse. Pattinson is one of the supporting characters as Reynolds, a naive young man who becomes sheltered by those around him.
After a burglary went wrong, a former soldier named Eric (Guy Pierce) goes on a bender through the lawless Australian wasteland. He’s forced to bring Reynolds along after being injured during the robbery.
9 Damsel (2018) — 68%
- Streaming now on Roku and IMDb TV.
Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska were the two main characters in the Western comedy film, Damsel, from 2018. Some critics praised the film for its use of Western themes tied together with quirky comedy. But others felt the story was a little too slow-paced.
The film takes audiences on a bizarre turn of events, beginning with Samuel (Pattinson) planning to propose to the love of his life. He hires a drunkard to officiate but is later confronted by a man attempting to kill him. In reality, his love was kidnapped and he hopes to rescue her.
8 Tenet (2020) — 69%
- Streaming now on HBO Max.
Pattinson’s newest film, Tenet, has the film industry raving and being titled as one of the best action/thriller films of the year. Pattinson stars in one of the main roles, alongside John David Washington as a character known only as the Protagonist. Critics have praised the films for being grandiose, mind-boggling, and for its impeccable warping of reality.
A secret agent— the Protagonist— goes on a dangerous and time-altering mission with the help of Neil to stop a possible World War III. The movie has of course drawn comparisons to director Christopher Nolan’s previous works in terms of the use of altering time and reality.
7 The King (2019) — 70%
- Streaming now on Netflix.
The King created a frenzy on social media when the trailer and film were released starring Timothée Chalamant in the lead role as Henry, Prince of Wales. The epic historical romantic war drama also includes Pattinson in a supporting role as Louis, the Dauphin.
The film centers around Henry, forced to take over the throne, still unprepared and having to deal with politics, war, and his own past. One of Henry’s willing enemies is the Dauphin who mocks his rule as king. The film centers around Henry’s decision to go to war against France and against Louis.
6 High Life (2018) — 82%
- Streaming now on Showtime, Fubo, and Hoopla.
High Life was a 2018 sci-fi horror film starring Pattinson in the lead role as Monte. The film got good ratings from critics for its superb visuals but also for its gritty and challenging storyline that questions concepts like human evolution and space.
Onboard a ship is a group of prisoners and a doctor. The prisoners are used as guinea pigs by the doctor who hopes to create a child through artificial insemination. The film goes through Monte and the crew’s journey in being part of a dangerous mission and an experiment.
5 The Batman (2022) – 85%
- Still in theaters.
Not many fans wanted to see Robert Pattinson star in The Batman. Most DC fans still only see Twilight when they look at the actor, but he proved in this movie that he is a lot more than Edward Cullen. Pattinson reinvented Batman, making him an insecure man who doesn’t care about his legacy.
Instead, Pattinson played Batman as a force of vengeance. it is a credit to the actor that he used this to make a more significant character change in Batman than any movie had before this. Critics called it a gritty noir and Batman’s most ambitious live-action outing.
4 The Lost City Of Z (2016) — 86%
- Streaming now on Prime Video.
Alongside Tom Holland, Charlie Hunnam, and Sienna Miller, Pattinson was part of the cast in the biographical adventure film, The Lost City of Z. The plot revolves around Hunnam’s character going on a survey mission in Bolivia and Brazil.
There, he meets Corporal Costin (Pattinson) who has knowledge of the Amazon rain forest and joins the mission in wanting to prove the existence of the titular city, an advanced civilization that scientists believe doesn’t exist.
3 Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire (2005) — 88%
- Streaming now on HBO Max.
Back in 2005, Pattinson played the character Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The role was loved by fans for his cute charm and good heart, and they wept over his tragic end.
During the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric enters as the representative for Hufflepuff. He is favored amongst his peers and develops a slight bond with Harry. By the end of the tournament, he and Harry reach the cup but find it to be a Portkey to Voldemort’s trap.
2 The Lighthouse (2019) — 90%
- Streaming now on Prime Video.
The Lighthouse, a psychological thriller also starring Willem Defoe, is one of Robert Pattinson’s best films and proves his knack for making mostly interesting and challenging choices post-Twilight. The black and white movie has been praised for being dark, gripping, and unsettling.
Pattinson and Defoe play two lighthouse keepers who start to lose their sanity when a dangerous storm leaves them stranded. It has a simple but dynamic setting that only intensifies the psychological aspects of The Lighthouse.
1 Good Time (2017) — 92%
- Streaming now on Fubo and Showtime.
Taking the number one spot for Pattinson’s top-ranked role is the 2017 film, Good Time. It takes viewers on a roller coaster of intense emotions, bad decisions, and doing what’s necessary for family. Pattinson plays the main role of “Connie” Nikas.
Connie is in charge of his mentally disabled brother but is ill-suited for the task. He comes up with a plan to rob a bank that goes wrong and lands his brother in jail. He needs to make bail money and fast. Connie will do anything possible, even illegal, to get his brother out.
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