Leonardo DiCaprio celebrates cinema as he reminisced about the influence of movies during his acceptance speech at the National Board of Review awards in Los Angeles, where he was recognized for his role in One Battle After Another on Tuesday evening. DiCaprio, the Oscar-winning actor, took the occasion to share memorable moments from his early years, highlighting film’s deep impact on his life and its role as a transformative art form.
Warm Memories from the Movie Theater
During the awards event, DiCaprio discussed his longstanding connection to movie theaters and cinematic experiences, recalling that his first visit to the movies was with his father when he was just four years old. He described this moment, sharing,
“I remember gazing up at that massive screen completely in awe, four years old, hysterically crying at the end of ‘King Kong,’”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor. As he grew older, different films shaped his outlook and provided him with both solace and inspiration. He reflected further:
“[At] 8, absorbing the ‘Heartbreak of Estrada.’ 14, trapped in the claustrophobia of ‘The Big Blue.’ 16, lost in ‘Dreams’ by Kurosawa. As I kept watching, something shifted in me. Film became an escape from the limits of my surroundings. It wasn’t just entertainment. It’s a place to escape my neighborhood and a place where something larger than my own life felt possible.”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor.
Emphasizing the Unique Role of Cinema
As part of his speech, DiCaprio emphasized the collective and personal impact of watching films in theaters, stating,
“At some point, each of us sat in a movie theater, the lights went down, something on that screen rearranged how we saw the world and ourselves. As I became an adult, I began to understand that cinema is our most definitive art form. It expresses what it means to be human.”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor. His message underlined how movies not only serve as entertainment, but also challenge perceptions and allow audiences to imagine possibilities beyond their daily environment.
Throughout the event, DiCaprio reiterated his appreciation, stating,
“Cinema is our most definitive art form.”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor. He also recognized the legendary LA’s Vista Theatre, where his passion for movies began, and spoke about honoring acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson at the same ceremony. DiCaprio pointed out Anderson as one of the
“very few filmmakers who consistently live up to that idea.”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor.
Reflections on the Future of Movie Experiences
Although DiCaprio may not consider himself an advocate for the traditional theater experience, he acknowledged ongoing changes in the way audiences engage with movies. He previously noted,
“Who knows, there may be a great renaissance with production in the future, but it certainly seems like the cinematic experience is under threat,”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor, referencing his earlier comments to Time. Still, he emphasized his personal preferences and upbringing, stating,
“But, you know, I’m not here to push or advocate that people must see movies in theaters. I’m just a fan of it myself, and that’s how I grew up and I think that’s how they’re best experienced.”
— Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor.
Significance of DiCaprio’s Perspective and What Lies Ahead
Leonardo DiCaprio’s heartfelt remarks offered a glimpse into how formative experiences in movie theaters shaped not only his career but his worldview. His tribute to cinema’s transportive power and to filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson reinforced his admiration for the industry’s artistic achievements. While DiCaprio sees potential challenges for the classic cinematic experience, his speech at the National Board of Review awards highlighted enduring optimism and a belief that movies will continue to inspire and connect audiences well into the future.
“Cinema is our most definitive art form.”
From a childhood screening of King Kong at LA’s Vista Theatre to honoring Paul Thomas Anderson, #LeonardoDiCaprio celebrates the magic of movies at the National Board of Review Awards. @NBRfilm pic.twitter.com/pLvb4cne6o
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) January 14, 2026
