Robert De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, is a cinematic legend who is revered by cinephiles, actors and directors across the globe. Known for his intense method acting and unparalleled versatility, De Niro first gained recognition in the early '70s with his standout performance in Mean Streets (1973). This was quickly followed by his iconic role as the young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974), for which he won his first Academy Award. Ali Fazal Drops Throwback Pic From His First Meeting With Robert De Niro; Actor Recalls ‘I Was Too Shy To Ever Step Into a Room To Take Autographs’.

Some of his most iconic works come from his collaboration with director Martin Scorsese, who had also directed Mean Streets. Having starred in some of his best films, this partnership has consistently delivered in spades. Gangster films or character studies that dig deep, this duo always delivers no matter what.

So, to celebrate Robert De Niro’s 81st birthday, we are looking at five of his best collaborations with the equally legendary Martin Scorsese and where you can watch the movies online.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon, their most recent collaboration, is a gripping period drama based on the true events surrounding the Osage murders in 1920s Oklahoma. Robert De Niro plays the role of William Hale, a powerful and manipulative rancher who orchestrates the heinous crimes to seize oil-rich land from the Osage Nation. De Niro's portrayal of Hale is chilling and nuanced, bringing to life the character's greed and moral corruption. Killers of the Flower Moon is streaming on Apple TV+. Killers of the Flower Moon Review: Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio's Crime Epic Gets Thumbs Up From Critics at Cannes 2023.

The King of Comedy

Scorsese’s The King of Comedy is a great look into the culture of celebrity worship that is spearheaded by one of De Niro’s best performances. Focusing on a comedian who gets extremely obsessive with a more successful superior, the film is a satirical drama that makes for a creepy watch. The movie is a major influence on Todd Phillips' 2019 film Joker. You can watch The King of Comedy on Prime Video on purchase basis,

Taxi Driver

What can be said about Taxi Driver that hasn’t been said over the years? By far one of Scorsese and De Niro’s most popular collaborations and a film that has been tried and mimicked by many over the years, the constant deterioration of Travis Bickle’s mental state makes Taxi Driver easily one of the duo's most influential collaborations. Taxi Driver is streaming on SonyLIV and Prime Video.

Raging Bull

The best performance of De Niro’s career comes in Ragin Bull, where the actor plays the role of the real-life boxer Jake LaMotta. With Scorsese helming the biopic, we dive deep into the career of the iconic boxer while chronicling his rise and fall. It’s a hard-hitting piece of cinema that needs to be checked out by fans of the actor. You can watch Raging Bull on Prime Video and Apple TV on purchase basis.

Goodfellas

Goodfellas is the quintessential gangster film. A magnum opus born out of the collaboration of Scorsese and De Niro, it follows the rise and fall of the mob associate Henry Hill, with De Niro’s James Conway being one of the best protagonists you will ever come across. It’s easily the duo's best work and a film that does define their partnership. You can watch Goodfellas on Prime Video and Apple TV on purchase basis.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2024 09:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).