Leonardo DiCaprio, who starred in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film Inception, recently revealed that his favorite Nolan movie is not the one he acted in, but rather The Dark Knight. The conversation took place during a discussion with Benicio del Toro about their upcoming film One Battle After Another. When asked to name their favorite movies by well-known directors, both actors bypassed Inception, instead choosing Nolan’s influential superhero thriller.
Actors Share Their Favorite Films From Legendary Directors
In an interview with Collider, both DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro expressed a shared admiration for The Dark Knight. The discussion began with Steven Spielberg, where Del Toro immediately selected E.T. and DiCaprio settled on Jaws after some thought. When naming favorite Nolan films, journalist Scott Weintraub mentioned Inception as an obvious choice, but DiCaprio promptly cited The Dark Knight, with del Toro agreeing. The pair then moved to Stanley Kubrick’s work, finding it challenging to pick a single film. They eventually concurred on 2001: A Space Odyssey, while DiCaprio also referenced other Kubrick classics like The Shining, Barry Lyndon, A Clockwork Orange, and Spartacus. DiCaprio recalled a noteworthy moment when Nolan arranged a private screening of 2001: A Space Odyssey using an original print and soundtrack, which he attended alongside other guests years ago.
Why The Dark Knight Stands Out as Nolan’s Best Work
Though surprising to some, DiCaprio’s choice of The Dark Knight as Nolan’s greatest film holds strong justification. Nolan’s career includes standout movies like Memento, The Prestige, and DiCaprio’s own Inception. Yet, The Dark Knight elevated the superhero genre by infusing it with a gritty crime thriller sensibility, moving beyond typical comic book stereotypes. This film demonstrated that superhero movies could deliver complex storytelling and serious thematic depth rather than just light entertainment.
Interestingly, many observers have assumed that DiCaprio dislikes superhero films due to his absence from such roles. In fact, he advised his co-star Timothée Chalamet during their work on Don’t Look Up to avoid both hard drugs and superhero franchises, suggesting concern about the potential constraints of big comic book roles on an actor’s career. This does not imply a dislike of the genre, but rather a caution against becoming typecast in the blockbuster universe instead of pursuing diverse artistic challenges.
Nolan has earned significant critical recognition, especially for his recent work on Oppenheimer, but it was The Dark Knight that fundamentally reshaped Hollywood’s approach to superhero films. Following Nolan’s example, many filmmakers aimed to add greater narrative weight and complexity to the genre. Despite some missteps by studios like Warner Bros. and directors such as Zack Snyder, The Dark Knight remains a benchmark for serious, cinematic superhero storytelling. Since its debut, very few comic book movies have matched the cultural and artistic impact of Nolan’s landmark film.
The Lasting Influence of The Dark Knight on Filmmaking
The Dark Knight set a crucial precedent by demonstrating that superhero movies could also be crime dramas with moral ambiguity and psychological depth. This pioneering model helped spark an ongoing effort to elevate comic book adaptations into more meaningful cinematic experiences. With Nolan’s influence, the genre gained legitimacy, pushing Hollywood to reconsider the possibilities within superhero storytelling.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s endorsement of The Dark Knight underscores the film’s importance not only for Nolan’s career but for the entire film industry. It highlights Nolan’s unique ability to blend entertainment with artistry, influencing actors and filmmakers alike as they navigate the evolving landscape of blockbuster cinema.
