Leonardo DiCaprio recently opened up about his favorite Christopher Nolan favorite movies, alongside other classic directors, during an interview promoting his new film, One Battle After Another. The discussion with fellow actor Benicio del Toro highlighted their admiration for prominent filmmakers like Nolan, Steven Spielberg, and Stanley Kubrick.
Both DiCaprio and Del Toro, known for their powerful roles in films such as The Revenant, Traffic, and Sicario, star in One Battle After Another, an action drama set for release on September 26, 2025. In the movie, DiCaprio portrays Bob, a father determined to find his daughter Willa (played by Chase Infiniti), whose search brings him into conflict with Del Toro’s character. The cast also includes Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.
Choosing Fans’ Favorite Movies from Renowned Directors
When asked about their favorite Steven Spielberg film, Benicio del Toro immediately chose E.T. Leonardo DiCaprio responded with,
“Maybe Jaws. He’s done so many masterpieces. It’s hard to pick, right? God, yeah, I’d say Jaws.”
Both actors agreed that Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight stands out as a top choice.
Stanley Kubrick’s work also sparked an engaging exchange. Del Toro named 2001: A Space Odyssey as his favorite, and DiCaprio agreed strongly:
“I was going to say the same thing, man.”
He went on to add,
“Dude, come on. Clockwork [Orange], The Shining. I just watched Full Metal Jacket the other day.”
Del Toro added Barry Lyndon to the list, which DiCaprio praised as well. He elaborated on the impact of 2001: A Space Odyssey, recalling a special screening,
“Barry Lyndon’s incredible. There are too many to pick. But 2001, for me, I remember watching it for the first time on VHS, but then I got to see it at the Cinerama Dome. Christopher Nolan found the original film and projected it at the Cinerama Dome with the original sound. Talk about a movie that was so ahead of its time. It’s just incredible. Beyond the movie, it’s kind of a spiritual experience.”
Additional Thoughts on Kubrick’s Filmography
Del Toro also mentioned another Kubrick classic, saying,
“I watched Spartacus not too long ago. That’s one he did that’s also great.”
He finished with a comprehensive praise of Kubrick’s entire body of work:
“I will also say to you that the correct answer for Kubrick is all of them.”
Anticipation Builds for Upcoming Film Release
One Battle After Another, featuring an ensemble cast and centered on intense family drama, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 26, 2025. Leonardo DiCaprio’s reflections on his favorite Christopher Nolan favorite movies and other cinematic influences highlight the depth and passion that both actors bring to their craft, giving audiences added reasons to look forward to their performances in this upcoming project.
