Leonardo DiCaprio Reveals “The Aviator” as His Most Rewatched Personal Film

Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in countless cinematic masterpieces, but there’s only one he consistently revisits as an audience member. Despite famously avoiding his own performances, the Oscar-winner makes a heartfelt exception for Martin Scorsese’s 2004 epic The Aviator – a film representing a pivotal turning point in his artistic journey.

Why Does “The Aviator” Hold Special Meaning for DiCaprio?

In a recent interview with Esquire, DiCaprio confessed, “I rarely watch any of my films, but if I’m being honest, there’s one that I have watched more than others. It’s The Aviator.” His connection runs deeper than nostalgia. The Howard Hughes biopic marked his second collaboration with Scorsese after Gangs of New York and represented a profound professional evolution. DiCaprio had carried the project for a decade, initially developing it with Michael Mann before creative conflicts arose. Bringing it to Scorsese transformed his role beyond acting:

“I was thirty. It was the first time as an actor I got to feel implicitly part of the production, rather than just an actor hired to play a role,” he revealed. “I felt responsible in a whole new way… [It was] such a key part of my growing up in this industry and taking on a role of a real collaborator for the first time.”

DiCaprio’s immersion in Hughes’ world – capturing the aviation pioneer’s brilliance and his devastating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder from 1927 to 1947 – demanded extensive research and emotional vulnerability. This hands-on involvement forged his enduring bond with the film.

How Did “The Aviator” Shape DiCaprio’s Career Trajectory?

The Aviator proved a monumental success, earning 11 Academy Award nominations at the 2005 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, and DiCaprio’s first Best Actor nomination. Though he didn’t win that year, the performance cemented his status as a serious dramatic actor capable of carrying complex historical narratives. Critics praised his transformation into Hughes, particularly his portrayal of the magnate’s psychological unraveling. The film’s technical achievements in recreating early Hollywood and aviation milestones remain benchmarks in cinematic craftsmanship.

DiCaprio’s experience on The Aviator directly influenced his subsequent approach to producing and championing ambitious projects through his Appian Way Productions. It established the actor-director synergy with Scorsese that would yield future classics like The Departed, Shutter Island, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Next for DiCaprio is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another (releasing September 26), where he stars as ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson opposite Sean Penn and Regina Hall. Yet for audiences and the actor himself, The Aviator endures as a touchstone of artistic growth – the moment DiCaprio soared beyond stardom into true cinematic authorship.

Whether you’re revisiting Hughes’ turbulent ascent or discovering it anew, The Aviator offers a compelling window into both Hollywood history and the evolution of one of its most dedicated artists – stream it today to witness DiCaprio’s career-defining performance.

Must Know
1. How many Oscar nominations did The Aviator receive?
The film earned 11 Academy Award nominations in 2005, including Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio. It won five Oscars, primarily in technical categories like Cinematography and Costume Design (Academy Awards Database).

2. Who did Leonardo DiCaprio almost make The Aviator with before Scorsese?
DiCaprio initially developed the Howard Hughes project with director Michael Mann. Scheduling conflicts led him to bring it to Martin Scorsese after their collaboration on Gangs of New York (Esquire).

3. What makes The Aviator different from DiCaprio’s other films?
DiCaprio considers it his first experience as a true creative collaborator rather than solely an actor. He shaped the production for a decade and credits it with his professional maturation (Esquire interview).

4. What is Leonardo DiCaprio’s next movie?
He stars in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, premiering September 26, 2024. The film features an ensemble cast including Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn (Studio Press Release).

5. Did DiCaprio win an Oscar for The Aviator?
No. Though nominated for Best Actor, he lost to Jamie Foxx (Ray). He later won Best Actor for The Revenant (2016).