Best 30 Leonardo DiCaprio Movies: A Journey Through Dicaprio’s Unforgettable Performances

Leonardo DiCaprio should be officially titled ‘The Evergreen Crush’ of Earthlings. Though we never forget to admire the actor, he has once again floored us all with his latest release Killers of the Flower Moon. It was one of the most awaited Leonardo DiCaprio movies this year and left everyone satisfied to the core. 

Sure Titanic made him an international heartthrob but DiCaprio proved his talent way before when he earned an Oscar nomination for his 1993 release What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? 

DiCaprio has one of the most impressive acting careers in Hollywood. Despite achieving early success, the actor always thrived for the betterment of his skill and has worked with numerous directors including Christopher Nolan, Steven Speilberg, Martin Scorsese, and James Cameron. From playing loud and meme-worthy characters to being part of biographies like J. Edgar, movies with Leonardo DiCaprio have always been an artistic gift for the audience. It might be hard to pick a favorite so here is a list of all the top Leonardo DiCaprio movies he has acted in. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	85%
Release Date	26 July 2019
Directed By	Quentin Tarantino

The 2019 movie blessed the audience with the deadly duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood made headlines for the newly divorced and sober actor Brad Pitt being a part of it, but safe to say DiCaprio stuck the right strings in the audience’s hearts. Apart from the duo, Margot Robbie impressed the audience as Sharon Tate and the movie is quoted as one of the best movies of Margot Robbie. 

The movie is about an actor and his stunt double who are struggling to maintain their star status as the Golden Era comes to an end. Leo DiCaprio portrayed the character of Rick Dalton while Brad Pitt played the character of Cliff Booth, Dalton’s body double. The movie is about their struggle to sustain in an ever-changing world beautifully capturing the moments that tell us there is more to every situation than what meets the eye. 

Rotten Tomtoes Rating	80%
Release Date	25 December 2013
Directed By	Martin Scorsese

The Wolf of the Wall Street will surely be addressed as a cult classic in the coming years. DiCaprio’s work as the famous Wall Street con man, Jordan Belfort, worked well with the critics and the audience alike as he portrayed the loud and goofy yet cunning and selfish character very well. The movie even became a favorite among the memes community with some of them still fresh in our minds. 

The movie saw Belfort in a ‘not a bad man’ light as it shed light on some of his private life moments that make you see the human side of the whole story. All Leonardo DiCaprio movies have witnessed the best work by the actor with whatever is given to him and this extravaganza movie had the actor’s extravaganza performance that is loved to date. The plot is engaging, the star cast is perfect, the setting is convincing, and overall it’s a ten-on-ten. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	91%
Release Date	6 October 2006
Directed By	Martin Scorsese

The 2006 release is one of the most loved collaborations between DiCaprio and Scorsese. 2006 was the year of DiCaprio as he got to be part of movies that helped him explore his versatility as an actor. The Departed is the remake of a Hong Kong thriller movie titled Infernal Affairs. Scorses ended up winning the much-deserved Oscar for the movie. 

The plot keeps you engaged till the last minute with the cat-and-mouse game as DiCaprio’s character Billy Costigan is assigned the task of infiltrating a mob syndicate. But little do they know that the police department has been infiltrated by a mob agent as well. Soon the task becomes a deadly game for both the undercover agents as they have to rush against time to uncover the secrets if they wish to stay alive. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	93%
Release Date	20 October 2023
Directed By	Martin Scorsese

The latest on the list of Leonardo DiCaprio movies is Killers of the Flower Moon, released this year which recites the tale of 1920s Oklahoma when the people just discovered oil. The movie once again witnessed the collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese.

The movie is based on the true stories of the suspicious death of Osage Indians. DiCaprio plays the character of Ernest Burkhart who was the main suspect in the murders. Killers of the Flower Moon explores his whole life from when he returns from World War 1 to him marrying the love of his life to becoming a serial killer. Nobody else could have nailed the complex emotional layers of the character better than DiCaprio as he makes the audience loathe the character yet has a sympathetic corner at times. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	55%
Release Date	10 December 2021
Directed By	Adam McKay

One of the recent movies with Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up saw him in a comedic avatar. It is not common for DiCaprio to be part of a humorous film but this one was a treat for the audience with names like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett being part of the project. Starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio was none other than one of the most beautiful and famous actresses in Hollywood Jennifer Lawrence. 

The movie deals with the adverse effects of social media generation. When two astronomy experts discover a comet that is about to hit the Earth they try to warn the government and people about it. But what’s worse? No one takes them seriously as the broadcasting channels believe the news is not entertaining enough to be published anywhere. What follows is a hilarious series of events where they try their best to grab the attention of the audience to take the warning seriously.  

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	88%
Release Date	19 December 1997
Directed By	James Cameron

The cult classic! Is Titanic the best movie of DiCaprio and Kate Winslet? Maybe not, but it is an important one. Titanic also marks one of the most renowned movies of Kate Winslet. The romantic tragedy story grabbed the attention of the audience globally and topped the chart of highest-grossing movies for 12 years. James Cameron put his heart and soul, time, and money into the movie and Titanic marked one of the most expensive movies of the time. 

For everyone who is still stuck over the fact that there was enough room on that goddamn door to accommodate Jack, I believe Jack’s death is what made the whole plot even more impactful. The movie was pure and played just right with the “opposites attract” trope. Of all Leonardo DiCaprio movies, this one made him the official heartthrob of all the ladies. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	86%
Release Date	25 December 2004
Directed By	Martin Scorsese

Another biopic on this list of Leo DiCaprio movies is the 2004 release, The Aviator. This time he plays the character of Howard Hughes who was known for his love for flying aircraft and as the richest businessman. This Movie did not compromise on the budget to portray the lavish lifestyle of Hughes and DiCaprio did an equally appealing job at portraying the charming and eccentric nature of Hughes.  

The movie explored Hughes’ professional as well as personal life from his love for airplanes to his love for women and his struggle with his own demons. The movie was released when DiCaprio was trying to establish himself as an adult actor and trying to get  rid of the title of “teen heartthrob.” 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	78%
Release Date	25 December 2015
Directed By	Alejandro G. Inarritu

The one that saw a transformed avatar of the actor and got him an Oscar. Set in the unforgiving harsh winter terrains, the movie is based on the real-life experience of frontiersman Hugh Glass. Dicaprio is known for getting deep into the skin of the characters and this one marks one of the most harsh projects in terms of the physical exertion involved. 

The actor won over the critics as well as the audience with his performance but what is also commendable is the cinematography of the movie. Leo’s character of Hugh is a man of few words and hence he had to rely way too much on his facial expressions to express the character’s emotions throughout. The Revenant is hands down one of the best Leo DiCaprio movies as per his performance.

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	90%
Release Date	17 December 1993
Directed By	Lasse Hallstrorm

One of the earliest projects of Leonardo DiCaprio which earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nomination. The movie also stars Johnny Depp as the titular Gilbert Grape and saw one of his finest performances making the movie one of the best Johnny Depp movies as well. 

DiCaprio stars as a mentally handicapped teenager, Arnie, who is taken care of by his elder brother, played by Depp. Arnie is not your regular sympathy case character as he showcases the raw side of what it is like to deal with a mentally challenged family member. He is mischievous and gets into trouble at times making it hard for his brother to deal with him sometimes. The character helped DiCaprio get noticed within the industry as well as become an audience’s favorite. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	87%
Release Date	16 July 2010
Directed By	Christopher Nolan

The Christopher Nolan directorial stars DiCaprio as Cobb, a person who has the special ability to steal people’s dreams when they are asleep. The movie starred Cillian Murphy as Robert Fischer Jr., the target of Cobb’s team. Inception also witnessed one of the best Cillian Murphy movies. The task seems easy for Cobb but no Christopher Nolan movie is complete without that one twist. So this time Cobb is assigned with the task of planting an idea in someone’s mind while they are asleep.  

This marks one of the most loved Christopher Nolan movies with Leonardo DiCaprio. Inception is also DiCaprio’s biggest success after Titanic. What you will find unlike Christopher Nolan in the movie is his focus on the characters and their emotions. Nolan’s movies are heavy on the plot but this one saw an exception as he takes time to unravel the story of Cobb. Though critics were not impressed with the movie, the audience seemed to love the unique concept and plot. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	48%
Release Date	17 May 2013
Directed By	Bax Luhrmann

I think everyone might agree that The Great Gatsby feels like the kind of movie only DiCaprio could nail. The character feels so close to his real life and that might be one of the reasons why the movie is to date considered a hot favorite of all Leonardo DiCaprio movies. Even if you haven’t watched the movie you might be aware of the over-the-top scene where fireworks go off in the background and DiCaprio cheers to the camera. 

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel of the same name the movie is about a millionaire, Jay Gatsby, played by DiCaprio. The movie beautifully captured the essence of the 1920s with the perfect cinematography, music, and the perfect outfits. When Jay’s neighbor Nick finds himself fragged in the mysterious lifestyle of the riches he learns that there is more to the glamorous life than what meets the eye. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	69%
Release Date	19 February 2010
Directed By	Martin Scorsese

Starring DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo in the lead, Scorsese’s directorial saw is one of the movies with the biggest twist in cinematic history. The audience had a divided opinion on the climax of the movie but Shutter Island is a well-written and executed masterpiece. 

DiCaprio plays the character of the U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels who is assigned the task of investigating a missing case in a hospital in Shutter Island. When he reaches there he realizes that it is not a mere missing case and maybe he has been intentionally assigned the complicated case. This is one of the best Leo DiCaprio movies with a layered performance by the actor that no one else could have portrayed so conveniently. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	96%
Release Date	25 December 2002
Directed By	Steven Spielberg

Catch Me If You Can was released five years after the release of Titanic and during those five years, di Caprio had intensely experimented with his career. The movie once again saw him in a charming light but this time he gets to play a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, and whatnot. How? Well, his character is a con man. 

The movie is based on the real-life story of Frank Abagnale, who managed to con multiple people before 21. DiCaprio did a convincing job of portraying the character in each form from a unique perspective each time. The plot takes time to explore Frank’s early life and his way of upbringing that impacts his life choices. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	74%
Release Date	27 October 1996
Directed By	Baz Luhrmann

Sure Shakespeare’s most adapted play is “Romeo and Juliet” but this Baz Luhrmann directorial helped lay the foundation for DiCaprio’s image as the soft-core lover boy that helped with his later release iconic movie Titanic. Some of you might have felt the crying and dialogues were a bit over-the-top, but hey, it’s Shakespeare we are dealing with. Gotta be dramatic!

Claire Danes starred opposite Leo to play the character of Juliet and the pairing worked well as the couple possessed an undeniable chemistry which is a must-have for the plot. Of all Leonardo DiCaprio movies, Romeo + Juliet is the best of his younger days.  

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	73%
Release Date	20 December 2002
Directed By	Martin Scorsese

Gangs of New York marked the first collaboration between Caprio and Scorsese. After gaining international fame as a romantic hero after Titanic, it seems like Caprio was in search of roles that would help him break out of the shell of a soft boy, and what better voice than a Scorsese film? 

Gangs of New York is set in the mid-19th century New York slums. When a young boy witnesses his father’s brutal murder he is determined to come back and avenge his death. Leonardo DiCaprio played the character of Amsterdam Vallon who returns after years to kill Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	47%
Release Date	21 April 1995
Directed By	Scott Kalvert

The movie deals with the raw struggles of teenage life and how society kills their inner child. DiCaprio plays the character of Jim Caroll and the movie is based on the autobiographical book of Jim Caroll titled the same. The movie is about his life from a high school basketball star to a drug addict.

The Basketball Diaries feels real and relatable throughout as it deals with a topic that we all have come across somehow. The movie just proves Caprio’s risk-taking attitude at an early stage of his career itself. The actor did his best with what was given to him and the movie just acted as a testimony to the young actor’s skills. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	67%
Release Date	15 December 2008
Directed By	Sam Mendes

The 2008 release grabbed a lot of attention as the movie reunited the iconic pairing of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Maybe it was because the actors matured over the years but the duo looked way better in Revolutionary Road than in Titanic. The movie is set in the 1950s and revolves around a couple who struggle to deal with their traumas and slowly start reflecting on their family life. 

The storyline feels intense and heartwrenching while also giving hope for betterment. When the couple starts arguing over little things we can see where it is going but can’t help but hope that they get through the harsh time and stick together. Among all Leonardo DiCaprio movies, this one has to be my personal favorite with the rawest storyline possible. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	87%
Release Date	25 December 2012
Directed By	Quentin Tarantino

Django Unchained stars Jamie Foxx as the titular character Django who is a slave owned by DiCaprio’s Calvin Candie. When he and his wife are sold separately he has no option but to escape and look out for his wife. This marks one of the Leo DiCaprio movies that saw him playing a negative role.

One thing we love about Leonardo DiCaprio is the fact that he is not scared to play an ugly character on screen and while at it he does it so well that you can’t help but fall in love with him. Calvin Candie was probably his most brutal character of all time and not once will he remind you of the adorable boy you saw in movies like Titanic. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	42%
Release Date	20 November 1998
Directed By	Woody Allen

Though the plot revolves around Lee Simon and Robin Simon’s married life, DiCaprio’s Brandon Darrow stole the show with his character of a young and enthusiastic actor. The actor was able to bring to life the character of Brandon as it is the kind of character the audience assumed DiCaprio to be in real life after his fame in Titanic. 

Celebrity marks an important stepping stone in Di Caprio’s career as it convinced the audience that sometimes only his natural charisma is required for him to nail a character. Brandon is a narcissist who jumps to every occasion to celebrate his life and gets a thrill from abusing his girlfriend. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	84%
Release Date	28 February 1997
Directed By	Jerry Zaks

In Marvin’s Room, a young Leonardo DiCaprio was given the chance to share the screen with some legendary names like Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, and Roberto De Niro. The movie feels like it was made on purpose to check the range of DiCaprio and how well he can maintain himself when thrown between big names. And guess what even after years the movie is one of the best Leo DiCaprio movies. 

Marvin’s Room marks the last Leonardo DiCaprio movie where he was featured as a child artist. His character, Hank, is a mischievous boy who gets himself as well as others in trouble if left unattended even for a while. He convincingly played the character of a mentally unstable teenager who seems perfectly fine one second but the next you see him screaming at everyone who crosses him. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	76%
Release Date	9 April 1993
Directed By	Michael Caton-Jones

Based on a true story by Tobias Wolff the movie saw Leonardo DiCaprio sharing screen with Robert De Niro. This Boy’s Life was released before the Oscar-nominated What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and marked one of his earlier leading roles. 

He stars as the loving and adorable son of a single mother. When the duo runs away from the mother’s abusive boyfriend, they feel they have finally found peace more trouble awaits them. When left with no other option DiCaprio’s character of Toby has to man up to protect his mother as well as himself. Toby’s transition from an innocent boy to a rebel is a sight to watch and proves his skills from a young age. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	58%
Release Date	10 February 1995
Directed By	Sam Raimi

The 1995 release is one of the most underrated movies not just for Leonardo Dicaprio, but in general as well. The Quick and Dead was smartly executed by director Sam Raimi and exuded the Western vibe. What made the movie stand out during its release is the fact that despite being a Western movie it had a female lead.

Dicaprio starred as a young gunslinger addressed as ‘the kid’ throughout the movie. We can see why he was considered a bankable actor at such a young age.

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	43%
Release Date	3 November 2011
Directed By	Clint Eastwood

J. Edgar marks one of the biographies on this list of Leonardo DiCaprio movies. The movie explores the professional and personal life of J Edgar, played by DiCaprio. He did his best with whatever was given to him but the movie feels like it could have been better in terms of the storytelling. Biographies don’t have to be boring especially when you have an abundance of content from the lives of people like J. Edgar. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	32%
Release Date	13 March 1998
Directed By	Randall Wallace

The only reason The Man in the Iron Mask became a hit was its release after Titanic. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Titanic fame is the only reason that helped the movie sail (unintentional joke). The audience had a mixed opinion about the movie but the critics were pretty harsh with the review. 

The movie stars DiCaprio in a double role and failed to fall into the cliche category. But we can’t help but praise the actor’s work for playing two characters while still maintaining a clear difference between the two. The movie is about an evil king who has his twin brother imprisoned for years but when the nation is in crisis only this twin brother seems to be the last hope for the people. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	55%
Release Date	10 October 2008
Directed By	Ridley Scott

Body of Lies might be one of the best Leonardo DiCaprio movies when it comes to action and honestly speaking I can’t recall much when it comes to his action movies. The actor seems like the perfect fit for an action star but we never got to see him using his full potential in the genre.

The 2008 release saw him playing Roger Ferris, a CIA agent assigned task in the Middle East. The movie has an ensemble of talent both on-screen and off-screen yet it easily became a forgettable movie with a generic storyline. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	63%
Release Date	8 December 2006
Directed By	Edward Zwick

Blood Diamond is based on the corrupt African diamond trade. DiCaprio was nominated for Academy Awards for his role in Blood Diamond. His character Danny Archer fits well alongside Djimon Hounsou’s Solomon Vandy and the duo carried the whole movie perfectly.

Archer is the kind of person who has lived his life on the edge and between people who follow the policy of an eye for an eye. But his life and priorities change when he meets Solomon and Maddy. Blood Diamond is one of the Leonardo DiCaprio movies that saw him stepping out of his comfort zone. The actor did an impressive job at mastering the South African accent. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	21%
Release Date	2 February 2000
Directed By	Danny Boyle

One of the few movies released after Titanic that saw DiCaprio in a pretty boy avatar. The Beach is the movie adaptation of Alex Garland’s novel of the same name and follows the story of Richard, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, an American backpacker who sets out on an unknown adventure after he retrieves a map from his neighbor’s home who committed suicide. 

The movie did not perform quite well during its release but later became a cult classic and one of the top Leonardo DiCaprio movies. One of the best parts about the movie? We get to see DiCaprio fighting a shark!  

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	22%
Release Date	3 November 1995
Directed By	Agnieszka Holland

Probably one of the most controversial Dicaprio movies, Total Eclipse, is based on the doomed relationship between the French poets Arthur Rimbaud, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Paul Verlaine, played by David Thewlis. The movie failed to do much with the intense topic as it feels flat when it comes to the plot. Nonetheless, the actors did a great job and it is worth giving a chance.   

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	62%
Release Date	2001
Directed By	R. D. Robb

Though the movie was released in 2001 it was shot way before in black and white with no budget. The only reason Don’s Plum made it to this list of Leo DiCaprio movies is the fact that the actor filed a court case to ban the movie. 

Don’s Plum also starred Tobey Maguire and the baby-faced actors can be seen playing mischievous teenagers who hang out at a place called Don’s Plum. Once you watch the movie you will realize why DiCaprio was so keen on not letting the movie see the daylight. He said that he only agreed to the shoot as a favor and the movie was never supposed to be released. 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating	N.A.
Release Date	11 December 1991
Directed By	Kristine Peterson

Leonardo DiCaprio was only 17 when he became part of one of the low-budget horror franchises. And Critters 3 marked the debut movie of Leonardo DiCaprio. Critters featured not-so-scary tiny fur ball aliens that take over a resident apartment in L.A. The movie, as the name suggests, is the third installment of the Critters franchise. 

You will enjoy a young and adorable DiCaprio as his character Josh is one of the residents of the building taken over by the aliens. Though he was the youngest in the cast his skills and talent were mature for his age. Critters 3 feels less like a horror movie today, but hey, it gifted us with one the most talented and loved actors of the century. 

Wrap Up

It was a delight looking back at the enormous filmography journey of the actor with this list of Leonardo DiCaprio movies.
Not just the actor, but even his audience has grown with him and so has our love and admiration for DiCaprio. Just when you think maybe we have seen it all, he surprises us with his next best. Stay tuned for further updates on his future projects.