Leonardo DiCaprio Names His Go-To Movies From Legendary Directors

Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro are two of the most respected names in Hollywood, and now they have teamed up for Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another.

The movie follows a group of former revolutionaries who reunite when one of their daughters is kidnapped, pulling the characters into a violent chain of events filled with rooftop chases, disguises, and high-stakes confrontations. DiCaprio plays Bob, a father desperate to save his daughter, while del Toro’s character crosses paths with him in a collision of past and present.

The film also stars Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.

Ahead of the film’s premiere, Collider’s Steve Weintraub sat down with DiCaprio and del Toro to discuss the movie and their careers. The conversation included their favorite directors and films that have shaped their work as actors.

Both actors praised Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Stanley Kubrick as major influences. Del Toro named E.T. as his favorite Spielberg film, while DiCaprio said he was drawn to Jaws.

Regarding Nolan, both actors agreed that The Dark Knight was a standout. When it came to Kubrick, they had a more difficult time choosing a favorite. “2001: A Space Odyssey,” both agreed on, with DiCaprio recalling the awe of seeing it projected in a Cinerama Dome by Nolan himself.

Del Toro also highlighted Barry Lyndon and Spartacus as personal favorites. “The correct answer for Kubrick is all of them,” they joked, noting the breadth and depth of his work.

These films have received critical acclaim over the years and have played a significant role in shaping modern cinema. Jaws is often credited with creating the summer blockbuster model, while E.T. is remembered for its emotional depth and universal appeal. The Dark Knight is widely praised for redefining superhero movies with its darker, more grounded tone, and Kubrick’s films are revered for their technical mastery, storytelling innovation, and thought-provoking themes.

DiCaprio and del Toro both emphasized how these works inspired them to pursue challenging, transformative roles in their own careers.

The actors also discussed the instinctive nature of editing action sequences and the realism in the film’s rooftop chases. DiCaprio and del Toro explained that the final product audiences will see feels complete because of the careful attention to these details, which adds tension and authenticity to the film.

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