There are very few names that are more well known from Hollywood than award-winning actor and filmmaker Leonardo DiCaprio. If you are a cinephile, there is no doubt that when you realize the actor is in an upcoming movie you definitely want to watch it as his reputation of giving life to whatever character he plays speaks for itself.
A lot of people will agree that their first exposure to DiCaprio’s acting was in James Cameron’s epic-romance movie Titanic, where he played the role of Jack. From that point on, the sky became the beginning for him as he has put in numerous critically acclaimed performances in all his roles. Here is a list of Leonardo DiCaprio movies ranked from best to worst.
List of Leonardo DiCaprio Movies and TV Shows
1. Titanic (1997)
Box Office: $2,187,463,944
Production Budget: $200 million
Being one of the highest-grossing movies ever made, Titanic, a film based on the actual RMS Titanic, a passenger liner that sunk in 1912 on her maiden voyage, was what catapulted Leonardo DiCaprio into worldwide fame.
The movie received worldwide critical and commercial success, with 14 Academy Award nominations under its belt. It further holds a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 75/100 rating on Metacritic.
2. Inception (2010)
Box Office: $828,322,032
Production Budget: $160 million
Inception is another one of the very best films ever made to appear on this list of Leonardo DiCaprio’s movies. Here, the actor played the part of Dom Cobb, a professional thief that stole information by extracting it from the dreams of his targets.
The movie was met with critical approval, receiving high praises from viewers and critics alike. It has a rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 74/100 score on Metacritic.
3. The Revenant (2015)
Box Office: $532,950,503
Production Budget: $135 million
The Revenant, based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Michael Punke, told the story of frontiersman Hugh Glass and his experiences in 1823. DiCaprio took on the lead role of Hugh Glass and his performance won him a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor. The movie holds a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 76/100 rating on Metacritic.
4. Growing Pains (1985-1992)
Number of Seasons: 7
Growing Pains followed the misadventures of the Seaver family; Dr. Jason Seaver, a home business psychologist, Maggie Seaver, a journalist, and their four kids: Mike, Ben, Carol, and Crissie. DiCaprio appeared in 24 episodes as Luke Brower, a student in Mike’s class that was friends with all the Seaver kids. The series was well known for portraying a family life that many viewers could relate to.
5. The Departed (2006)
Box Office: $291,465,034
Production Budget: $90 million
The Departed starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, and Alec Baldwin. The story was based in Boston and followed Colin Sullivan (played by Damon), an FBI mole for the mob, and Willian Costigan (played by DiCaprio), an undercover agent in the Irish mob. It holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85/100 rating on Metacritic.
6. Parenthood (1990-1991)
Number of Seasons: 1
Parenthood is a TV series based on the 1989 Ron Howard movie of the same name. It was one of the TV shows that failed to be renewed alongside several other TV shows during the 1990 – 1991 era of television. But even though it ran for just one season, it was enjoyed by viewers all over. DiCaprio played the part of Garry Buckman for all 12 episodes of the season.
7. The Aviator (2004)
Box Office: $213,741,459
Production Budget: $110 million
This movie was based on a non-fiction book written by Charles Higham titled Howard Hughes: The Secret Life. The story follows aviation pioneer and director Howard Hughes, played by DiCaprio, through his life from 1927 to 1947. The Aviator received eleven nominations, with Leonardo himself receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. It holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 77/100 rating on Metacritic.
8. J. Edgar (2011)
Box Office: $84,920,539
Production Budget: $35 million
In this Leonardo DiCaprio movie, the actor stars as the first Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. The film, which was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, focuses on the FBI director’s career from the Palmer Raids forward. Despite DiCaprio’s stellar performance, the movie holds a 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 59/100 rating on Metacritic.
9. Revolutionary Road (2008)
Box Office: $75,226,021
Production Budget: $35 million
Starring Kate Winslet opposite DiCaprio, the movie marked the second time the two stars worked together on screen, with their first collaboration being in Titanic. Based on Richard Yates 1961 novel of the same name, the movie earned both lead actors nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture drama and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress respectively. It holds a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 69/100 on Metacritic.
10. Body of Lies (2008)
Box Office: $115,900,897
Production Budget: $70 million
Body of Lies ranks as the worst project in this list of Leonardo DiCaprio movies and TV shows. Directed and produced by Ridley Scott, this 2008 action thriller stars DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. The story follows the attempts of the CIA and Jordanian Intelligence to catch a terrorist named al-Saleem.
The movie was based on the David Ignatius movie of the same name. Body of Lies holds a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 57/100 rating on Metacritic.
