Leonardo DiCaprio has been on a whirlwind press tour for “One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged dark comedy that mixes razor-sharp satire with pulse-pounding action. The film casts DiCaprio as a burned-out ex-revolutionary drawn back into danger when his teenage daughter is targeted by a ruthless military figure.
During a conversation with Collider ahead of the movie’s release, the Oscar winner shifted the discussion from rooftop chases and covert escapes to the artistry that has shaped his own cinematic journey. It was here, while reflecting on the directors who continue to influence his craft, that he offered a glimpse into the masterpieces he holds closest.
DiCaprio’s Ultimate Spielberg, Nolan, and Kubrick Movie List
Collider asked DiCaprio to single out his favorites among what many consider the “big three” of filmmaking: Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Stanley Kubrick. The question came during a relaxed chat while he promoted “One Battle After Another,” but the actor treated it with the kind of thoughtfulness you’d expect from someone who’s spent decades immersed in cinema.
“Maybe Jaws,” DiCaprio said when Spielberg’s name came up. “He’s done so many masterpieces. It’s hard to pick, right? God, yeah, I’d say Jaws.” For Nolan, he answered without hesitation: “Dark Knight.”
Kubrick proved more difficult. “That’s tough. That is tough,” DiCaprio admitted, before mentioning several titles: “Clockwork [Orange], The Shining. I just watched Full Metal Jacket the other day.” He finally circled back to the film that stayed with him most.
“But 2001, for me, I remember watching it for the first time on VHS, but then I got to see it at the Cinerama Dome. Christopher Nolan found the original film and projected it at the Cinerama Dome with the original sound. Talk about a movie that was so ahead of its time. It’s just incredible. Beyond the movie, it’s kind of a spiritual experience.”