The ultimate Leonardo DiCaprio movie watchlist

The ultimate movie watchlist

When it comes to modern movie legends, Leonardo DiCaprio has done it all: romance, thrillers, crime dramas, and even wild survival stories. Whether you first saw him on a sinking ship or deep inside someone’s dream, there’s no denying his range as an actor.

From his early breakout roles to his Oscar-winning performance, his movies are packed with emotion, action, and serious talent. If you’re looking to revisit or discover the best of DiCaprio, this watchlist is the perfect place to start.

Inception

Inception is a sci-fi thriller where DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, a thief who enters people’s dreams to steal secrets. It’s one of those films you’ll want to watch twice just to catch everything. With mind-bending visuals and layers of storytelling, it’s a modern classic.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie dives into memory, guilt, and the idea of reality. DiCaprio’s emotional performance keeps the heart of the story grounded, even while cities fold and time slows down.

Django Unchained

In Django Unchained, DiCaprio takes a bold turn as Calvin Candie, a cruel plantation owner in the pre-Civil War South. It’s one of his darkest roles and shows how fearless he can be on screen. His intense performance drew both praise and shock.

Quentin Tarantino directed this gritty Western, which follows Django, a freed slave on a mission to rescue his wife. DiCaprio plays the villain with charm and menace, making him unforgettable in this powerful story.

Revolutionary Road

DiCaprio reteams with Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road, but this time it’s not a love story with a hopeful ending. They play a 1950s couple who feel trapped in suburban life. The tension between dreams and reality makes it emotionally raw.

The film explores disappointment, ambition, and personal freedom. DiCaprio’s performance captures a man struggling with regret and lost potential. It’s a quiet, powerful drama that hits hard if you’ve ever questioned where your life is headed.

The Departed

In The Departed, DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, an undercover cop trying to survive in Boston’s criminal underworld. With danger on both sides, the film is a tense, fast-paced ride that keeps you guessing.

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this crime thriller is filled with double-crosses and deception. DiCaprio’s performance as a man under pressure adds real weight to the story.

The Wolf of Wall Street

DiCaprio goes full throttle as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, a wild ride through the excess and corruption of the 1990s financial world. It’s funny, shocking, and over-the-top in all the best ways.

Directed by Scorsese, the film shows how greed and power can spin out of control. DiCaprio delivers one of his most energetic performances, balancing comedy with chaos. It’s a jaw-dropping role that proves his versatility.

Titanic

In Titanic, DiCaprio became a global superstar as Jack Dawson, the poor artist who falls in love aboard the doomed ship. His chemistry with Kate Winslet made the romance unforgettable and the tragedy even more heartbreaking.

James Cameron’s epic mixes romance and historical disaster like never before. DiCaprio’s charm and vulnerability made audiences fall in love with Jack and made Titanic a defining film of the ’90s.

Shutter Island

Shutter Island is a psychological mystery where DiCaprio plays U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, sent to a remote island asylum to investigate a missing patient. But the deeper he digs, the more he questions what’s real.

This dark and twisty thriller, directed by Scorsese, explores grief, trauma, and mental illness. DiCaprio gives a gripping performance, making you feel every moment of confusion and fear. It’s a movie you’ll want to talk about afterward.

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

In this love letter to the late 1960s, DiCaprio plays Rick Dalton, a fading TV actor unsure of his place in a changing industry. It’s a deeply personal performance, full of humor, insecurity, and heart.

Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film mixes fiction and real events with style. DiCaprio shows Rick’s fear of becoming irrelevant and his fight to stay in the spotlight. It’s both nostalgic and fresh, a tribute to old-school Hollywood.

Romeo + Juliet

In Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, DiCaprio plays Shakespeare’s famous lover in a modern-day setting with guns instead of swords. The film keeps the original language but adds music, neon lights, and intense drama.

DiCaprio’s Romeo is passionate, impulsive, and heartbroken. His performance connected with a whole new generation, making Shakespeare feel cool and accessible. It’s a bold, stylish film that still resonates with young audiences today.

Gangs of New York

Set in the 1860s, Gangs of New York features DiCaprio as Amsterdam Vallon, a young man out for revenge against the man who killed his father. It’s a brutal story of loyalty and justice in early New York.

Martin Scorsese directs this sweeping historical drama, full of violence and passion. DiCaprio’s character grows from a scared boy to a fierce fighter, and his scenes with Daniel Day-Lewis are intense and unforgettable.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

A young DiCaprio blew critics away in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape by playing Arnie, a mentally disabled teen in a small-town family. His performance was so real, many people didn’t know he was acting.

He starred alongside Johnny Depp, and their brotherly bond gives the film its heart. This early role earned DiCaprio his first Oscar nomination and showed he was more than just a teen heartthrob; he was a serious actor.

Catch Me If You Can

DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, a teenage con artist who impersonates a pilot, doctor, and lawyer before he turns 21. It’s based on a wild true story, and he makes it feel real.

Steven Spielberg directed this cat-and-mouse caper with warmth and flair. DiCaprio’s youthful energy and charm carry the film, especially in scenes with Tom Hanks as the FBI agent chasing him. It’s clever, fun, and smart.

The Aviator

DiCaprio takes flight in The Aviator, playing real-life billionaire Howard Hughes during his rise as an aviation legend and Hollywood mogul. But behind his success was a deep struggle with mental illness.

Martin Scorsese directs this biopic with style and scope. DiCaprio shows Hughes’ brilliance and breakdown with equal force.

The Revenant

In The Revenant, DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, a frontiersman left for dead after a bear attack. Cold, hunger, and betrayal push him to the edge in one of his most physically demanding roles ever.

Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu shot the film in natural light with real locations, adding to the intensity. DiCaprio barely speaks, but his performance is powerful. This role finally earned him his long-awaited Oscar.

Even the biggest stars can’t always guarantee success, as seen with shocking movie flops that lost millions despite high budgets and major studio backing.

Blood Diamond

In Blood Diamond, DiCaprio plays Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler in war-torn Sierra Leone. The film follows him as he teams up with a local man searching for his son and a rare gem.

Set during the brutal civil war, the film shines a light on the real human cost of conflict diamonds. DiCaprio’s performance brings both grit and heart, making this thriller feel urgent and meaningful.

Some of the most unforgettable performances come from actors who mastered multiple roles in one movie, proving their incredible range and talent in a single film.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.