The 20 Best Leonardo DiCaprio Movies, Ranked

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 2006

In the gritty underworld of crime and corruption, Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" emerges as a modern cinematic masterpiece. At the center of this riveting story is none other than the brilliant Leonardo DiCaprio, whose portrayal of an undercover cop navigating treacherous waters stands as one of his most compelling performances to date.

• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Year: 2002

In "Catch Me If You Can," DiCaprio steps into the shoes of Frank Abagnale Jr. with a magnetic charm that makes you question whether he's the perpetrator or the victim. With his boyish good looks and charismatic demeanor, DiCaprio crafts a performance that is nothing short of mesmerizing.

As we explore the enthralling world of cons, forgeries, and high-stakes deception, we witness DiCaprio's impeccable ability to portray complex characters with depth and nuance.

• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Year: 2010

Few films in recent memory have captivated and puzzled audiences quite like Christopher Nolan's mind-bending masterpiece, "Inception." At the core of this labyrinthine tale of subconscious heists is the enigmatic and complex character, Dom Cobb, portrayed with exceptional finesse.

DiCaprio's portrayal of Cobb is nothing short of extraordinary. He seamlessly guides us through a world where the boundaries between dreams and reality blur, all while wrestling with his own personal demons.

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 2010

In the pantheon of psychological thrillers, Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" stands as a chilling and atmospheric masterpiece. At its eerie heart is the incomparable Leonardo DiCaprio, whose portrayal of U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is as haunting as the titular island itself.

DiCaprio's performance as Teddy Daniels is a masterclass in psychological turmoil. As he peels back the layers of his character's troubled past and confronts the demons that haunt him, the line between reality and delusion blurs. The intensity and depth of DiCaprio's acting draw us into the labyrinthine corridors of the asylum, leaving us as disoriented and haunted as his character.

• Director: Lasse Hallström
• Year: 1993

Long before he became one of Hollywood's most celebrated leading men, Leonardo DiCaprio gave us a glimpse of his extraordinary talent in the heartfelt and emotionally charged film, "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Directed by Lasse Hallström, this poignant drama showcased DiCaprio's early prowess as an actor.

DiCaprio's portrayal of Arnie earned him critical acclaim and his first Academy Award nomination. It was a performance that hinted at the incredible talent that would later define his career in Hollywood.

• Director: James Cameron
• Year: 1997

In the annals of cinematic history, "Titanic" stands as a towering achievement that needs no introduction. Yet, at the heart of this epic tale of love and tragedy is a young actor who would soon become a household name: Leonardo DiCaprio.

Directed by James Cameron, "Titanic" catapulted DiCaprio to global stardom as he portrayed Jack Dawson, a penniless artist who wins a ticket aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Jack's chance encounter with Rose DeWitt Bukater, played by Kate Winslet, sets the stage for one of cinema's most iconic and enduring romances.

• Director: Quentin Tarantino
• Year: 2012

Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" is a genre-defying tour de force that blends elements of spaghetti westerns and social commentary, and at its dark heart lies a captivating and chilling performance by Leonardo DiCaprio.

In the film, DiCaprio takes on the role of Calvin Candie, the sadistic and charismatic plantation owner who personifies the brutality of the antebellum South. Candie's character is a complex and sinister figure, and DiCaprio dives headfirst into the role with a level of intensity that is both mesmerizing and disturbing.

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 2004

In Martin Scorsese's biographical masterpiece, "The Aviator," Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the monumental role of Howard Hughes, the enigmatic and visionary billionaire whose life was a rollercoaster of innovation, obsession, and triumph.

DiCaprio's portrayal of Hughes is nothing short of mesmerizing. With unwavering dedication, he immerses himself in the complexities of this larger-than-life character, capturing both his brilliance and the tumultuous battles he faced with mental illness.

• Director: Quentin Tarantino
• Year: 2019

Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is a cinematic love letter to a bygone era of Tinseltown, and at its heart is the brilliant Leonardo DiCaprio, who delivers a tour de force performance as the fictional actor Rick Dalton.

Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film explores the changing landscape of Hollywood and the lives of its inhabitants, including Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth, portrayed by Brad Pitt. DiCaprio's Rick Dalton is a character riddled with insecurities and fears of fading into obscurity. His journey of self-discovery and redemption forms the emotional core of the film.

• Director: Scott Kalvert
• Year: 1995

Before he became a Hollywood icon, Leonardo DiCaprio took on a role that showcased his raw talent and versatility in the gritty and harrowing film "The Basketball Diaries." Directed by Scott Kalvert, this cinematic adaptation of Jim Carroll's autobiographical novel offers a haunting and unflinching look at addiction and self-destruction, with DiCaprio at its center.

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 2013

In Martin Scorsese's electrifying masterpiece, "The Wolf of Wall Street," Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a performance for the ages. Portraying the notorious stockbroker Jordan Belfort, DiCaprio unleashes a whirlwind of charisma, debauchery, and unbridled ambition.

The film takes us on a wild ride through the excesses and moral decadence of Wall Street in the 1990s, as Belfort rises to wealth and infamy with his unscrupulous tactics. DiCaprio's portrayal of Belfort is a masterclass in capturing the dichotomy of a charismatic con artist who revels in his lavish lifestyle while facing the consequences of his actions.

• Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
• Year: 2015

Alejandro González Iñárritu's epic survival drama, "The Revenant," stands as a testament to both the power of storytelling and Leonardo DiCaprio's unmatched commitment to his craft. In this visually stunning and emotionally charged film, DiCaprio takes on the formidable role of Hugh Glass, a frontiersman left for dead and driven by an unrelenting desire for revenge.

What makes DiCaprio's performance in "The Revenant" particularly striking is his ability to convey a range of emotions without relying on extensive dialogue. Much of his character's journey is communicated through his expressions, movements, and interactions with the natural world.

• Director: Baz Luhrmann
• Year: 1996

In Baz Luhrmann's bold and visually stunning adaptation of William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, "Romeo + Juliet," Leonardo DiCaprio steps into the iconic role of Romeo Montague. The film brings the classic love story into a modern, vividly stylized setting, and DiCaprio's portrayal of Romeo is nothing short of captivating.

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 2002

In Martin Scorsese's sprawling historical epic, "Gangs of New York," Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a riveting performance that thrusts audiences into the gritty and tumultuous underbelly of 19th-century New York City. As Amsterdam Vallon, a young Irish immigrant seeking revenge for his father's murder, DiCaprio's portrayal is a masterclass in immersing oneself into a tumultuous era of American history.

• Director: Edward Zwick
• Year: 2006

In the harrowing war-torn landscapes of Sierra Leone, Edward Zwick's "Blood Diamond" unravels a tale of human greed, redemption, and the pursuit of a better world. At its heart is Leonardo DiCaprio, who delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance as Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler with a tortured past.

The film explores the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone during the late 1990s, where the illicit trade of "blood diamonds" financed violence and terror. DiCaprio's character, Danny Archer, is a complex figure, driven by personal gain yet haunted by his own moral compass.

• Director: Baz Luhrmann
• Year: 2013

Baz Luhrmann's dazzling adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary classic, "The Great Gatsby," transports us to the opulent and extravagant world of the roaring 1920s, with Leonardo DiCaprio brilliantly assuming the iconic role of Jay Gatsby.

Set against the backdrop of the lavish parties, glittering wealth, and social upheaval of the Jazz Age, DiCaprio's portrayal of Gatsby is a revelation. His charisma, enigmatic charm, and underlying vulnerability encapsulate the essence of the character, a mysterious millionaire who pines for a lost love, Daisy Buchanan, portrayed by Carey Mulligan.

• Director: Clint Eastwood
• Year: 2011

Clint Eastwood's biographical drama, "J. Edgar," offers a deeply introspective look into the life of one of America's most enigmatic and controversial figures, J. Edgar Hoover, with Leonardo DiCaprio delivering a layered and thought-provoking portrayal.

• Director: Randall Wallace
• Year: 1998

In Randall Wallace's swashbuckling adventure film, "The Man in the Iron Mask," Leonardo DiCaprio showcases his exceptional range by playing not one, but two compelling characters. This tale of political intrigue and doppelgängers set in 17th-century France offers DiCaprio the unique opportunity to portray both King Louis XIV and his mysterious twin brother, Philippe.

• Director: Ridley Scott
• Year: 2008

In Ridley Scott's gripping espionage thriller, "Body of Lies," Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the role of Roger Ferris, a CIA operative immersed in the murky world of counterterrorism. Set against the backdrop of the War on Terror, DiCaprio's performance is a testament to his ability to portray complex characters navigating treacherous moral terrain.

• Director: Danny Boyle
• Year: 2000

In Danny Boyle's cinematic adaptation of Alex Garland's novel, "The Beach," Leonardo DiCaprio embarks on a mesmerizing and perilous adventure that tests the boundaries of paradise and human nature. His portrayal of Richard, a young traveler searching for utopia, is a rollercoaster ride through the beauty and darkness of an uncharted paradise.

What makes DiCaprio's role in "The Beach" compelling is his ability to convey the character's transformation from an idealistic dreamer to a man grappling with the harsh realities of survival and human nature. The film explores themes of isolation, desire, and the consequences of unchecked ambition, with DiCaprio's portrayal at the heart of the narrative.