If you try to count Leonardo DiCaprio’s movies, you’re basically walking into a trap. Most people think they know the answer. They’ll point to the blockbusters. They'll mention the Oscars. But honestly, the "official" number depends entirely on who you ask and what you're willing to count as a "movie."
Are we talking about every time he stepped in front of a camera? Or are we strictly looking at the leading man roles that made him a global icon?
By early 2026, the tally is more nuanced than a simple Google snippet would have you believe. As of right now, Leonardo DiCaprio has been in 31 feature films as an actor. This includes his early work, his massive leading roles, and even the ones he probably wishes we'd forget (looking at you, Critters 3).
The Breakdown: How Many Movies Has Leonardo DiCaprio Been In?
Let's get into the weeds. If you look at his full acting filmography, you’re looking at around 31 theatrical feature films.
But wait. If you check his IMDb, you’ll see 47+ credits. Why the gap? Simple. That list is cluttered with television shows like Growing Pains and Santa Barbara, short films, and documentaries where he only provides narration. For most fans asking how many movies has leonardo dicaprio been in, those don't really count.
Here is how the 31-film count actually shakes out:
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- 23 Leading Man Roles: These are the heavy hitters. Titanic, Inception, The Revenant.
- 5 Lead Ensemble Roles: Movies where he shares the top billing equally, like Don’t Look Up.
- 3 Supporting/Minor Roles: His early "new kid on the block" days.
It’s actually a surprisingly small number for someone who has been a household name for over thirty years. He isn’t like Nicolas Cage, who seems to drop five movies a year just for the hell of it. Leo is picky. Extremely picky. Since 2010, he’s basically averaged one movie every two or three years. He’s playing the long game.
The Early Days and the "Critters" Incident
Before he was Jack Dawson, he was just a kid from LA trying to make a buck. His debut wasn't some prestige drama. It was Critters 3 in 1991. It went straight to video. He’s actually joked about it before, calling it "your average, run-of-the-mill, low-budget horror movie."
Then everything changed in 1993. He did This Boy's Life with Robert De Niro and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. That was the "Aha!" moment for Hollywood. He was 19 and already getting Oscar nominations for playing Arnie Grape.
The Blockbuster Era
We have to talk about 1997. Titanic.
That movie didn’t just make him a star; it made him a person of interest for the entire planet. It stayed the highest-grossing film ever for twelve years. If you're counting his career based on impact, this is the center of the universe.
But Leo did something weird after that. He didn't just chase the paycheck. He didn't do a sequel. He’s famously never done a sequel in his entire life. Instead, he went and did The Beach, which was weird and dark and confused a lot of people who just wanted more Jack Dawson.
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The Scorsese Partnership: A Career Within a Career
You can't answer how many movies has leonardo dicaprio been in without looking at his "marriage" to Martin Scorsese. This partnership accounts for a massive chunk of his best work.
They’ve done six feature films together so far:
- Gangs of New York (2002)
- The Aviator (2004)
- The Departed (2006)
- Shutter Island (2010)
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
There’s also a short film called The Audition from 2015, but that's more of a high-budget commercial for a casino. Most film buffs leave that one out of the "official" movie count.
What’s Coming in 2026 and Beyond?
Leo isn't slowing down, but he is staying selective.
Right now, everyone is talking about One Battle After Another (the Paul Thomas Anderson project). It’s slated for 2025/2026 and marks a huge shift because it's his first time working with PTA. There are also heavy rumors about a Martin Scorsese-directed Frank Sinatra biopic where Leo would play Ol' Blue Eyes himself, though that's still in the "maybe" pile.
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Then there is the Midnight Vendetta project and a rumored untitled crime drama set in Hawaii. If these all land, his total film count as an actor will finally nudge toward the 35 mark.
Why the Number is Actually Higher (The Producer Factor)
If you really want to be a nerd about it, Leo has his name on way more than 31 movies. He founded Appian Way Productions.
He has over 50 producer credits.
He produced Robin Hood (2018). He produced Orphan. He produces a ton of environmental documentaries like Before the Flood and The 11th Hour. If you include the films he produced but didn't star in, the number of "DiCaprio movies" jumps to nearly 80. But usually, when you're asking how many movies he’s "been in," you mean his face on the screen.
The Verdict
So, the "True" count?
- Feature Films as Actor: 31
- Oscar Wins: 1 (out of 7 acting nominations)
- Sequels Made: 0
- Direct-to-Video Horror Debuts: 1
He’s one of the few remaining "true" movie stars who can get a $200 million movie made just by signing his name to it. He doesn't need a cape or a franchise.
If you're looking to binge-watch his entire career, start with the 1993-1997 run to see the transformation from indie darling to heartthrob. Then, hit the 2002-2013 Scorsese era to see him turn into a powerhouse. Honestly, skip Don's Plum—it was a weird indie project from the 90s that he actually fought to keep out of theaters.
Next Step for You: Pick a "blind spot" in his filmography. If you’ve only seen the big ones, go back and watch The Basketball Diaries or Total Eclipse. It's wild to see how much raw energy he had before the Hollywood polish took over.