DexertoWe’re big fans of Robert Pattinson here at Dexerto, so much so it would be fair to call us Pattinstans! In fact, we love R-Pats so much we’ve decided to recognize the Twilight star by putting together a list of the best Robert Pattinson movies.
Why now? Well, because his new sci-fi movie, Mickey 17, from the Bong Joon-ho – the man behind some of the best movies of all time (including Parasite and Okja) – is finally in theaters to the delight of film fans everywhere (we presume, we’re writing this before release).
So to mark the occasion we’ve decided to rank Pattinson’s best movies. To do this, our team of experts (well, the ones not on vacation) have gone through his entire career, from his misspent youth making YA adaptations (the Harry Potter and Twilight movies) to his more modern work with some of the most exciting filmmakers working in and out of Hollywood.
10. Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire
Warner Bros.- Release date: November 18, 2005
- Director: Mike Newell
- Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon
- How long is it? 2 hours 37 minutes
What it’s about: After narrowly escaping a Death Eater attack at the Quidditch World Cup, Harry is selected to represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament – even though he’s too young and didn’t put his name in the cup. As he competes in each increasingly dangerous challenge, darkness encroaches the Wizarding World once more.
Why we like it: The Prisoner of Azkaban may be the ‘best’ Harry Potter movie, but The Goblet of Fire is my favorite. Two decades on, it is an exhilarating, immersive spectacle that’s just as much about the angst of teenagedom as it is the return of he who shall not be named – not to mention it’s a brilliant adaptation of the fourth book. Special credit is owed to Robert Pattinson, whose performance as Cedric Diggory proved his star power before he sparkled – heartbreakingly so, I’d add.
Written by Cameron Frew
9. High Life
A24- Release date: November 7, 2018
- Director: Claire Denis
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, André Benjamin, Mia Goth
- How long is it? 1 hour 50 minutes
What it’s about: High Life follows Monte, an unwilling astronaut on death row who, alongside several other convicts, is sent on a dangerous mission to extract renewable energy from a black hole.
Why we like it: A mind-bending but beautifully shot film, High Life is a challenging (and surprisingly violent) sci-fi movie that will impress those who enjoy more cerebral films like Ad Astra and Solaris and shock those looking for escapist fun. That’s a kind way of saying it’s a bit pretentious at times and the gratuitous sexual violence may make it a tough watch but I promise you that Pattinson gives an incredibly subtle but powerful performance that’s well worth watching.
Written by Tom Percival
8. Mickey 17
Warner Bros.- Release date: March 7, 2025
- Director: Bong Joon-Ho
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo
- How long is it? 2 hours 17 minutes
What it’s about: After being chased off Earth by a loan shark, Mickey Barnes signs up to be an Expendable onboard a colony ship. These Expendables are forced to do deadly chores (and take part in painful experiments) safe in the knowledge they’ll live on in a new clone body. By the time we meet Mickey he’s died 16 times, making him Mickey 17… and let’s just say 17th times the charm.
Why we like it: Brazenly bizarre Mickey 17 is a dark comedy that takes great pleasure in killing R-Pats in a series of increasingly odd (and painful) ways, allowing the actor to stretch his withered comedic acting muscles. However, beneath the slapstick silliness there’s a serious message about the sanctity of life and the dangers of a purely utilitarian society.
Written by Tom Percival
7. The Devil All the Time
Netflix- Release date: September 11, 2020
- Director: Antonio Campos
- Cast: Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Sebastian Stan, Riley Keough
- How long is it? 2 hours 18 minutes
What it’s about: In the backwoods of Ohio, sinister characters – an unholy preacher, twisted couple, and crooked sheriff – converge around young Arvin Russell as he fights the evil forces and local corruption that threaten him and his family.
Why we like it: If I told you that The Devil All the Time is deeply nihilistic, unpleasant, and overwhelming oppressive, with savage violence and characters you can’t bear to watch, you’d think I wasn’t a fan – but I am, and it’s secretly one of the most considered and affecting Netflix thrillers ever produced. Also, it has Robert Pattinson doing a silly little voice; just Google “delusions” if you’re unconvinced.
Written by Cameron Frew
6. The Lost City of Z
Bleecker Street- Release date: April 14, 2017
- Director: James Gray
- Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Tom Holland
- How long is it? 2 hours 21 minutes
What it’s about: In 1925, British explorer Percy Fawcett obsessively journeyed into the Amazon in search of an ancient lost city alongside his son and aide-de-camp – and he disappeared without a trace. This is his story.
Why we like it: Before James Gray took us ad astra, he made The Lost City of Z, a beguiling, awe-inspiring adventure epic. Don’t expect a rip-roaring blockbuster: this is a stately, slow-moving odyssey in the vein of Lawrence of Arabia and cinema of a bygone era. Plus, for a film released nearly 10 years ago, it had extraordinary foresight: it’d take a miracle – and a much bigger budget – to get the same stars in one movie again.
Written by Cameron Frew
5. Tenet
Warner Bros- Release date: September 3, 2020
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki
- How long is it? 2 hours 30 minutes
What it’s about: An unnamed CIA agent is recruited into the super duper secret organization, Tenet, and tasked with working out why temporally inverted objects (objects moving backwards in time rather than forward) keep being discovered.
Why we like it: It’s been five years since Tenet came out and I’m still not entirely sure I completely understand the plot but to be completely honest I don’t care. Tenet’s got everything I want from a Christopher Nolan movie – exciting action set pieces, dynamic direction that makes even incidental chats thrilling, and characters wandering around in sharp suits (Brooks Brothers won’t cut it). Speaking of sharp suits, or the men in them at least, Robert Pattinson steals the show whenever he’s on screen and he really helps sell his character’s strange inverted friendship with Washington’s protagonist.
Written by Tom Percival
4. The Batman
Warner Bros.- Release date: March 4, 2022
- Director: Matt Reeves
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright
- How long is it? 2 hours 56 minutes
What it’s about: Batman is this guy who wears a cape, a mask that looks like a bat, and has a secret hideout full of childhood trauma. This time, he’s called to intervene when the mayor of Gotham City is murdered, leading to a crime ring expose.
Why we like it: 2022 Batman hive rise up! This is the only movie I’ve ever taken my mom to a midnight screening of, and after we got her a cup of tea to kick things off she absolutely loved it. It was the perfect experience for me – a revamped Batman I could hit the floor running lore-wise with, gritty moody visuals, and an unrecognizable Colin Farrell providing me with pub quiz trivia for years to come. Don’t listen to the haters (aka my colleagues), R-Pats does an impeccable job.
Written by Jasmine Valentine
3. Twilight
Summit Entertainment- Release date: December 3, 2008
- Director: Catherine Hardwicke
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Launtner, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed
- How long is it? 2 hours 2 minutes
What it’s about: Bella Swan – average, unnoticed, one might say “loser.” Exactly the girl any 2000s tween resonated with. Lucky for her, she has the experience we all dream of: falling in love with a 100-year-old vampire after he saves her from being hit by a car.
Why we like it: Because the Features Editor wouldn’t let me put Breaking Dawn Part 2 on this list (which I’m sure every girl of a certain age will agree was the cinematic experience), we’ve gotta go with the OG. Memes were born, cast members forgot they ever did the movie, and the ultimate love rivals were marketed into oblivion – Team Edward or Team Jacob? Arguably, it’s the most well-adapted movie of the bunch, made even better because a demon CGI baby wasn’t on the horizon.
Written by Jasmine Valentine
2. The Lighthouse
A24- Release date: October 18, 2019
- Director: Robert Eggers
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Willem Defoe
- How long is it? 1 hour 49 minutes
What it’s about: A pair of 19th century lighthouse keepers lose their minds when they become marooned on a remote New England island.
Why we like it: The Lighthouse is a movie that defies categorisation, flitting from dark drama and stark horror to jet-black comedy and tense psychological thriller. At its heart however, the film is a brutal character study of two broken men, played with true commitment to the cause by Robert Pattinson and Willem Defoe. Writer-director Robert Eggers shoots the elements in stark black-and-white, while his twisted story ensures you’ll never look at a seagull the same way again.
Written by Chris Tilly
1. Good Time
A24- Release date: August 11, 2017
- Director: The Safdie brothers
- Cast: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Buddy Duress
- How long is it? 1 hour 41 minutes
What it’s about: Brothers Connie and Nick rob a bank, which starts a chain reaction that sees one of them arrested, and the other tries to break him out. Which is just the start of their problems.
Why we like it: Directed by Benny and Josh Safdie, Good Time is sometimes just that, but more frequently it’s a stressful, tense, anxiety-inducing time, as Connie keeps trying – and failing – to help his developmentally disabled brother Nick. A visceral assault on the senses, the movie is anchored by Robert Pattinson’s fine turn as a low-level crook who’s his own worst enemy, while Benny Safdie gives memorable support as the sibling he keeps letting down.
Written by Chris Tilly
If you’re looking for more of our hot takes, then you need to check out our list of the best Netflix shows. We’ve also got 2025 movie calendar listing all the new films coming this year for you to check out as well.
