Leonardo DiCaprio has done it all throughout his illustrious career that spans over three decades. From becoming a teen heartthrob after starring in Romeo + Juliet to playing deplorable characters like Calvin Candie, the actor has cemented himself as one of the greatest ever to grace the art form.
But while many of the Oscar winner’s films are cherished to this day, there is a sizeable amount of quality cinema starring DiCaprio, which has unfortunately lost into obscurity over the years. And with the Killers of the Flower Moon Star turning 49, let’s take a look back to some of his forgotten gems.
8 Leonardo DiCaprio Movies That Often Get Overlooked
This Boy’s Life
While Leonardo DiCaprio was still starting out as an actor in the early ’90s, it was 1993’s This Boy’s Life that put his acting chops to the forefront, in which he starred alongside Robert De Niro. The coming-of-age drama, based on Tobias Wolff’s memoir, is a compelling portrait of a family on the verge of falling apart, which witnesses great performances from everyone onboard.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Although a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Johhny Depp won’t exactly fill the definition of an underrated film in the present landscape, unfortunately, this was the case for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. While the film has lost in the shuffle over the years, it did earn DiCaprio his first of the many Oscar Nods he would go on to earn, and despite being a little dated, it’s still a great watch.
The Quick and the Dead
The Quick and the Dead put DiCaprio’s impeccable range to the forefront. And while he takes a backseat in the Western led by Sharon Tate and Gene Hackman, he makes the most of the material he is given, and despite its shortcomings, the movie never gets boring. Unfortunately, upon its release, the Western drama failed to make it big at the box office but has aged gracefully over time.
Marvin’s Room
Starring DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Diana Keaton and Robert De Niro, Marvin’s Room was a critical hit upon its release, earning three SAG nominations and even an Oscar nod for Keaton. Unfortunately, over the years, the romance drama, which revolves around some complex family issues, has lost into obscurity despite commendable performances from everyone onboard.
The Basketball Diaries
Celebrity
Although not as well regarded as some of his other acclaimed hits at the time, 1998’s Celebrity remains an important addition to Leonardo DiCaprio’s filmography. The hit-or-miss comedy that revolves around celebrities in Los Angeles, witnesses him playing an obnoxious star, which despite its low scores on its release, helped Dicaprio transition into an adult actor.
Gangs of New York
While not the best Scorsese has to offer throughout his working relationship with DiCaprio, Gangs of New York has its charms, witnessing some impeccable performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and DiCaprio. With lots of epic turns and twists in the 167-minute crime drama, the often-forgotten period drama from Martin Scorsese has a lot to keep the audiences hooked and entertained.
J. Edgar
For his work in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar, Leonardo DiCaprio scored a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of the infamous FBI director Edgar Hoover. However, the movie and his performance are often overlooked, which is a shame as he plays the historical figure to perfection. And it may not be Eastwood’s best work as a director, DiCaprio’s performance alone makes it worth watching.
While it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to The Wolf of Wall Street Star’s indomitable run in Hollywood, these highly overlooked films stand as a testament to DiCaprio’s skills as an actor.
