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The Aviator

Play trailer 3:03 Poster for The Aviator PG-13 Released Dec 25, 2004 2h 46m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 228 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Billionaire and aviation tycoon Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a successful public figure: a director of big-budget Hollywood films such as "Hell's Angels," a passionate lover of Hollywood leading ladies Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale), and an aviation pioneer who helps build TWA into a major airline. But in private, Hughes remains tormented, suffering from paralyzing phobias and depression. The higher he rises, the farther has to fall.
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The Aviator

The Aviator

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Critics Consensus

With a rich sense of period detail, The Aviator succeeds thanks to typically assured direction from Martin Scorsese and a strong performance from Leonardo DiCaprio, who charts Howard Hughes' descent from eccentric billionaire to reclusive madman.

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Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi Outlook The Aviator does make for a rather fascinating and compelling stand-alone story about an industrious, fastidious, obsessive man... Rated: 2/4 Jan 8, 2019 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Good but not great, and not for younger kids. Rated: 3/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine This handsome movie is an oddly well-behaved one to come from the preternaturally energetic Scorsese. Feb 3, 2010 Full Review Dave Giannini InSession Film Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett respectively light up the screen when they are together. Feb 20, 2024 Full Review KT Mahe For Your Reference Podcast The Aviator is an adequate biopic lead by capable performers but the exhilaration sped to puberty level sensuality and hollow thrills. Rated: 3/5 Feb 15, 2024 Full Review Oti For Your Reference Podcast The Aviator starts strong but feels lengthy, with some accents bordering on comedic. Hughes's struggles could be better portrayed, yet it remains a worthy watch. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 15, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fabrícia F Neste drama envolvente, Leonardo DiCaprio dá tudo de si e mais um pouco para retratar um magnata da aviação delirante e perfeccionista. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review Sams K One of Scorsese's best shot. Cate Blanchett is incredibly good here. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/23/24 Full Review Brian H This is one of the finest films of the 2000s. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/13/24 Full Review Colin F Amazing actor and a great film Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/19/24 Full Review Manny One of Scorsese's only Pg-13 movies has a great sense of its place in the world, even if that place isn't particularly new or super engaging for a 2 hour 40 minute biopic. However, Leonardo DiCaprio manages to wow me again, asserting himself as one of the top actors in Hollywood. With his dedication to the role and sheer acting prowess, he carries this movie to a special place in the historical biopic genre. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review Ava S With riveting scenes of airplane action and a deep analysis of an ego-driven man with obsessive-compulsive disorder, The Aviator succeeds in capturing your attention. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Aviator

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Billionaire and aviation tycoon Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a successful public figure: a director of big-budget Hollywood films such as "Hell's Angels," a passionate lover of Hollywood leading ladies Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale), and an aviation pioneer who helps build TWA into a major airline. But in private, Hughes remains tormented, suffering from paralyzing phobias and depression. The higher he rises, the farther has to fall.
Director
Martin Scorsese
Producer
Michael Mann, Chris Brigham, Sandy Climan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Charles Evans Jr., Graham King
Screenwriter
John Logan
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Cappa Productions, Forward Pass, Miramax Films, Initial Entertainment Group, Warner Brothers, Appian Way
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Crash Sequence|Nudity|Sexual Content|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$102.6M
Runtime
2h 46m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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