When Leonardo DiCaprio says, “I just really love doing what I do,” I can’t help saying how bang on he is! An actor par excellence and a dazzling star in the world of movies, he is someone many generations of movie buffs worship.
So, I know it’s going to get tough. How can I pick only six movies among the masterpieces this virtuoso actor has delivered?
What Makes Leonardo DiCaprio Movies Great?
You know, what makes Leonardo special is how he brings excellence to his craft. Yes, maestros like Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, and others have given him the canvas. But it’s Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio who has graced every frame with fine nuances.
The chief of Sony Film, Tom Rothman, says that Leonardo has created his own “brand of excellence.” I even cannot help but agree with Rothman when he says that the audience perceives a movie as great when they learn that it has Leonardo DiCaprio. I can’t agree more!
Nevertheless, let us get back to answering the question of his greatest movies in random order.
Top 6 Leonardo DiCaprio Movies
DiCaprio’s movies are versatile. Can you think of a genre he hasn’t touched? So, this list of films is somewhat going to be eclectic.
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The Revenant
Released: 2015
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
If you love war movies, this one will instantly strike a chord in your heart. And it’s my personal favorite, and why not? It fetched the first Academy Award for Best Actor for Leo. The 1915 poem “The Song of Hugh Glass” found the perfect cinematic expression in this masterclass.
Leo’s performance is out-of-the-world in this movie, transporting you to the wilderness of 1823 in an instant. A big shout-out from me!
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Marvin’s room
Released: 1996
Director: Jerry Zaks
When Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, and DiCaprio collaborate on a movie, it’s bound to be a masterpiece. This humble drama, I think, has brought out one of the most nuanced performances from Leo. As a teenager with some mental health issues, he was vulnerable, rebellious, and unpredictable at the same time.
The best thing about this movie is that it rises above the level of a run-of-the-mill family drama. It allows you to relate.
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Django Unchained
Released: 2012
Director: Quentin Tarantino
The style and language of Western movies got a new definition in this highly stylized movie. It was a blockbuster and a worldwide favorite upon release. The movie stands out because of its boldness and how each actor delivered the most committed performance. It’s bloody, edgy, and everything a great Western movie needs to be. Most importantly, it’s Leo who stole the show by portraying the character’s unhinged and vicious traits with sheer perfection.
The film became so popular among movie buffs and critics that DC Comics came up with a comic book adapted from Django Unchained in 2013.
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Inception
Released: 2010
Director: Christopher Nolan
The performance of Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception complemented and, to some extent, took the gothic sensibility of the movie to a new level. Critics, movie lovers, and Leo’s fans will agree that the actor was completely in charge and showed his excellence in this sci-fi film. It’s never easy to emote and look perennially confused (as expected of the character) with so many special effects incorporated.
His intense performance allows you to relate to the character’s despair, as the sense of loss or heartbreak is palpable in his every look and gesture.
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Shutter Island
Released: 2010
Director: Martin Scorsese
Leonardo DiCaprio has taken his craft to a few notches higher in this film that fuses multiple genres like gothic and neo-noir. The moment he comes on the screen, you will feel a tangible sense of insecurity.
He used his weapons of guilt, anger, and despair to keep the viewers intrigued throughout the film. Leo’s performance is so intense that you can empathize and understand his problems despite disliking the character.
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Catch Me If You Can
Released: 2002
Director: Steven Spielberg
The film is stylish, easy-breezy, and brings a breath of fresh air every time you watch it. The masterclass direction of Spielberg and technical excellence get more prominence with Leo’s strong performance.
His on-screen presence is likable, believable, and charismatic, as always. The highlight is how he infused vulnerability in his performance as a child from a broken home in the movie.
Final Words:
I love Leonardo DiCaprio for his consistency. He has redefined the term movie star with his stellar performances for decades. It’s hard to find another actor who has proved his mettle in movies across so many genres.
Every time a Leo film releases, it’s like a worldwide phenomenon for movie buffs. Even the best minds in cinema wait to see his next. His body of work has been enviable, getting only better with time.
Author Bio:
With 5 years of experience in the field, Amelia Moore is an online entrepreneur by profession and a passionate blogger and content writer. She loves to write content about Pets, Travel, Entertainment, fashion, and many more. She has experience at the Pets Magazine, Essay Writing Guides, theparentsmagazine, Ev authority