The 98th Academy Award nominations have officially arrived, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling epic “One Battle After Another” has emerged as the heavy hitter of the season with 13 nominations. While the film’s dominance across the technical and acting categories was expected, the morning brought a historic milestone for its leading man. By securing a spot in the Best Picture lineup, Leonardo DiCaprio has reached a career-defining peak that places him alongside one of his greatest inspirations and frequent collaborators.
A Clash of Titans in Oscar History
With the inclusion of “One Battle After Another” in the Best Picture race, Leonardo DiCaprio has earned his 12th nomination in the Academy’s top category, officially tying Robert De Niro for the most Best Picture nominations for any actor in Hollywood history. DiCaprio’s run in this category began with the acting nod for “The Aviator” and has continued through recent heavyweights like “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
This tie is particularly poetic given the shared history between the two men. De Niro famously handpicked a young DiCaprio for his breakout role in “This Boy’s Life,” and the two recently shared the screen in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 masterpiece. While De Niro built his producing legacy through the founding of TriBeCa Productions and films like “The Irishman,” DiCaprio has utilized his Appian Way banner to shepherd prestige projects that often double as his most challenging acting vehicles. Both men now stand alone at the summit of this specific statistical mountain, surpassing legends like Bradley Cooper and Clint Eastwood.
Industry insiders note that this milestone reflects a broader shift in how modern movie stars navigate their careers. By consistently attaching themselves to ambitious, adult-oriented dramas, actors like DiCaprio continue to be central to getting these kinds of films greenlit in an increasingly franchise-driven market. His latest collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson has resulted in another Best Actor nomination and further cemented his standing as one of the few performers whose presence alone still signals serious awards potential.
As we look toward the ceremony in March, the narrative surrounding DiCaprio is no longer just about his individual performance but his incredible eye for era defining cinema. Whether he overtakes De Niro in the coming years remains to be seen, but for now, the two titans of the screen share a record that underscores their unparalleled impact on the medium. All eyes will be on the Dolby Theatre to see if “One Battle After Another” can convert these historic nominations into a golden sweep.