Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most famous actors in the world. He has worked in Hollywood for over three decades. He started as a child actor in commercials. Now, he is an Academy Award winner. He chooses his roles very carefully. You rarely see him in a bad movie.
He works with the best directors in the business. He transforms into his characters completely. This list looks at his most impressive performances. We will look at why these specific films matter. Here are the top 10 Leonardo DiCaprio movies you need to see.
Early Career and Breakthrough
DiCaprio did not become a star overnight. He worked hard in television shows first. He appeared in Growing Pains and Santa Barbara. But film critics noticed him quickly.
His first major role was in This Boy’s Life. He acted alongside Robert De Niro. He held his own against the legendary actor. This proved he had serious talent.
His true breakthrough came in 1993. He played a boy with a developmental disability in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. He was only 19 years old. DiCaprio received his first Oscar nomination for this role. It showed the world that he was not just a pretty face. He was a serious artist.
Evolution as an Actor
Many actors get stuck in one type of role. DiCaprio avoided this trap. After Titanic, he could have played romantic heroes forever. He chose a different path.
He sought out difficult characters and wanted to play flawed people. DiCaprio started working with Martin Scorsese. This partnership changed his career. It moved him away from the “teen heartthrob” image. DiCaprio became a gritty, intense leading man. He is known for his commitment and often changes his physical appearance for roles. He learns new accents and skills and is a true method actor.
The Top 10 List
This list ranks his movies based on his performance and the quality of the film.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
This movie is pure energy. DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort. Belfort is a stockbroker who cheats people to get rich. The role required high energy and physical comedy. One scene involves him trying to crawl to his car. It is hilarious and disturbing at the same time. He shows the ugly side of greed. He makes a terrible person fascinating to watch.
2. The Revenant (2015)
This is the film that finally won him the Best Actor Oscar. He plays Hugh Glass. Glass is a frontiersman who gets attacked by a bear. The shoot was very hard. DiCaprio ate raw bison liver. He slept in animal carcasses. He worked in freezing rivers. The performance is mostly silent. He uses his eyes and body to show pain. It is a masterpiece of physical acting.
3. Titanic (1997)
You cannot ignore this cultural phenomenon. He plays Jack Dawson. Jack is a poor artist who falls in love with a rich girl. The chemistry with Kate Winslet is legendary. This movie made him a global superstar. It is not his most complex role. However, it proves he can carry a massive blockbuster. He provides the emotional heart of a giant disaster movie.
4. The Departed (2006)
He plays Billy Costigan in this crime thriller. Costigan is an undercover cop. He infiltrates the Irish mob in Boston. The character lives in constant fear. You can see the stress in his eyes. He is always on the edge of a panic attack. It is a very vulnerable performance. He shows the psychological toll of lying to everyone you know.
5. Inception (2010)
This is a complex sci-fi movie directed by Christopher Nolan. DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb. Cobb is a thief who steals secrets from dreams. The plot is very complicated. DiCaprio grounds the movie. He gives the audience something real to hold onto. He plays a father who misses his kids. This emotional motivation makes the crazy science fiction feel real.
6. Django Unchained (2012)
DiCaprio rarely plays the villain. He plays Calvin Candie in this film. Candie is a cruel plantation owner. He is charming but evil. DiCaprio seemed to enjoy playing a bad guy. He famously cut his hand on real glass during a scene. He kept acting while his hand bled. It showed his intense focus. He makes you hate the character, which is the point.
7. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Steven Spielberg directed this fun movie. DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale Jr. Frank is a young con artist. He pretends to be a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer. DiCaprio uses his natural boyish charm here. You root for him even though he is a criminal. It is one of his lightest and most enjoyable roles. It shows he can be funny and charming effortlessly.
8. Shutter Island (2010)
This is a psychological thriller. He plays a U.S. Marshal investigating a hospital for the criminally insane. The movie is full of twists. DiCaprio plays a man haunted by grief. His performance gets more intense as the movie goes on. You feel his confusion and paranoia. It is a dark movie, but his acting is brilliant.
9. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
He plays Rick Dalton. Rick is an actor whose career is fading. He is insecure and drinks too much. This role is surprisingly funny. He has a scene where he forgets his lines and has a meltdown in his trailer. It is relatable and human. He shows the fragility of an actor’s ego. It is a love letter to old Hollywood.
10. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
We end where it all began. He plays Arnie Grape. Arnie is the younger brother of Johnny Depp’s character. DiCaprio did not use cheap tricks for this role. He observed real people with disabilities. He played the character with respect and honesty. It remains one of the most impressive debuts in film history.
Impact on Cinema and Environmental Activism
DiCaprio is more than just an actor. He uses his platform for good and is a passionate environmentalist. He produced the documentary Before the Flood.
DiCaprio speaks at the United Nations about climate change. He created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. This organization supports wildlife protection. He invests in sustainable businesses.
His activism affects his career choices. He often chooses films with social messages. The Revenant spoke about man’s relationship with nature. Don’t Look Up was a satire about climate change denial. He proves that celebrities can make a real difference.
For a deeper look into Leonardo DiCaprio’s career choices and on‑screen collaborations, especially with acclaimed directors, you might find this piece on Leonardo DiCaprio’s regrets working with Martin Scorsese particularly insightful.
Why He Remains a Legend
Leonardo DiCaprio does not make sequels. He does not wear superhero capes. He makes original movies for adults. This is rare in modern Hollywood. He picks directors over paychecks.
He brings intensity to every single frame. You know a movie will be high quality if he is in it. He respects the audience. He challenges himself with every new project. That is why he is one of the greats.
