Leonardo DiCaprio returns to cinemas this week with Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, adding to a career that spans more than three decades and features over 30 movies. Celebrated for his intense performances and collaborations with some of Hollywood‘s top directors, DiCaprio has earned seven Academy Award nominations and one Oscar win, establishing himself as one of the most captivating actors of his generation. Here, we rank the seven best Leonardo DiCaprio movies that showcase his range and power, excluding Titanic as a focus.
Exploring DiCaprio’s Breakthrough Crime Drama in New York
Gangs of New York, released in 2002, marked the beginning of DiCaprio’s significant collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, signaling a shift toward more demanding roles. Set during the tumultuous Civil War era, the film centers on Amsterdam Vallon, portrayed by DiCaprio, a young man hell-bent on avenging his father’s death. His father, Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson), was killed by the ruthless gang leader William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), who controls the city’s underworld.
To seek vengeance, Amsterdam infiltrates Bill’s inner circle, becoming one of his trusted enforcers, but finds himself dangerously close to the very man he intends to kill. The film captures the brutal power struggles and violent upheaval in 19th-century New York, with DiCaprio delivering a performance full of conflicted ambition and fury. Gangs of New York remains available on MGM+ for streaming.
Charming and Cunning: The High-Flying Scam in the 1960s
In 2002’s Catch Me If You Can, DiCaprio channels his natural charisma into the role of Frank Abagnale Jr., a notorious and daring con artist of the 1960s. Under Steven Spielberg’s direction, the film follows Frank as he executes elaborate frauds, including impersonating a pilot and forging checks, all while evading capture.
Persistent FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) dedicates years to tracking Frank down, often developing a complicated empathy toward him even as the chase continues. Meanwhile, Frank’s attempts to maintain a normal life falter as he falls in love with nurse Brenda Strong (Amy Adams), caught between deception and desire. The movie’s fast pace and playful tension highlight DiCaprio’s magnetic ability to blend charm with underlying desperation. Catch Me If You Can is currently streaming on Hoopla.
Portraying a Visionary’s Rise and Struggle Amidst Fame
The Aviator (2004) reunites DiCaprio with Scorsese in a biographical portrayal of Howard Hughes, one of the most influential pioneers of aviation and early Hollywood. Playing Hughes as a brilliant but volatile visionary, DiCaprio captures his ambition to revolutionize both film and flight technology.
The film also explores Hughes’ turbulent personal life, including his relationships with leading actresses Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale). It does not shy away from depicting Hughes’ gradual decline into obsessive-compulsive disorder and mental turmoil, revealing the costs of genius and fame. This compelling performance is available to watch via Kanopy.
A Harrowing Tale of Survival and Vengeance in the Wilderness
DiCaprio finally claimed his Oscar for Best Actor with The Revenant (2015), a relentless story of endurance set in the 19th century. His character, Hugh Glass, is a fur trapper who survives a brutal attack by a grizzly bear, left near death in the harsh wilderness.
Despite orders from John S. Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) to remain by Glass’s side until he dies, Fitzgerald instead kills Glass’s son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck). Propelled by grief and an intense desire for revenge, Glass embarks on a grueling journey to survive against all odds and confront the man responsible for his suffering. The film’s raw intensity and immersive physicality define one of DiCaprio’s most taxing roles. The Revenant can be rented or purchased on Prime Video.
The Mind-Bending Thriller That Warps Reality
Inception (2010), directed by Christopher Nolan, stands out as one of DiCaprio’s most visually striking and complex films. DiCaprio stars as Dom Cobb, a professional thief who enters the dreams of others to steal secrets from their subconscious minds. The film’s groundbreaking special effects depict the dream world folding in on itself, enhancing the story’s dizzying psychological tension.
Cobb is hired to perform “inception” — planting an idea in the mind of a corporate heir, Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy), with the hope it will fracture Fischer’s financial empire. Yet Cobb’s own mind is haunted by the memory of his deceased wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard), whose presence threatens to unravel the mission. The ambiguous ending of Inception remains widely debated, cementing its status as a thought-provoking cinematic experience. It is currently available on HBO Max.
Inside the Dangerous Double Life of an Undercover Cop
The Departed (2006) is another intense collaboration between DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, narrowly missing the top spot in this ranking. DiCaprio portrays William “Billy” Costigan Jr., a cop who sacrifices his future by going undercover within Boston’s criminal operations to take down crime boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson).
Simultaneously, Frank plants Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) inside the police force as his mole. Neither undercover agent initially realizes the identity of the other, creating an escalating tension as each races to expose the other first. The film’s gritty narrative and the psychological toll of living dual lives create a charged atmosphere, with DiCaprio’s performance revealing deep internal conflict and vulnerability. The Departed streams on Netflix.
Depicting Hollywood’s Changing Era Through a Struggling Star
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) showcases DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, an aging television actor fighting to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving industry. Under Quentin Tarantino’s direction, DiCaprio vividly conveys Rick’s turbulent emotional journey, balancing moments of insecurity and bravado as he attempts to revive his flailing career.
The movie centers not only on Rick but also on his loyal friend and stuntman Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt. Their friendship injects a unique chemistry into the film, highlighting loyalty amid uncertain times. Margot Robbie stars as Sharon Tate, but the heart of the story lies with Rick and Cliff, navigating around the backdrop of one of Hollywood’s darkest historical events. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is available to stream on Prime Video.
Each of these films highlights Leonardo DiCaprio’s ability to dive deeply into varied and volatile characters, often under visionary directors who push him to the edge. As he continues to take on challenging roles, his impact on cinema remains powerful and unpredictable, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating what comes next in his evolving career.
