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The Aviator

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The Aviator

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 2004

2h 46m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

228 Reviews

79%

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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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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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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

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

This handsome movie is an oddly well-behaved one to come from the preternaturally energetic Scorsese.

Feb 3, 2010

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Dave Giannini

InSession Film

Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett respectively light up the screen when they are together.

Feb 20, 2024

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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

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Faiz D

One of the most amazing films I've watched. Leonardo gave a 'Powerhouse' performance!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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R Carl L

The movie tells an amazing story of an amazing man. There is just so much story, of all his exploits in film and aviation. The shots of the Hells Angels movie and other aerial footage are simply stunning. But, maybe they should have focused on just one part of his life. It would make a hell of a miniseries!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

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Miles O

Definitely a good film, just a bit too long for what it needed to be.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Ishara L

Martin Scorscese has a knack for picking out figures or events in history that feature characters that live off the beaten track. It's like he's drawn to them. He gets obsessed by them and that is clearly seen in this biopic of an extravagant man. Now, I do not know a lot about Hughes' history, enough to know the broad lines, but I know the man suffered from OCD. That is brilliantly depicted by DiCaprio, known for expertly playing characters that didn't get all the pieces of the puzzle. Worthy of the Oscar nomination. Cate Blanchett as Hepburn, I don't know, I am in the middle about her. She was convincingly not herself, and if Hepburn was like that in real life, I do not like her personality. A real standout was Allan Alda, excellent as the governor, trying to keep up his front and leave the backroom deals in the backroom. Which is where the movie loses a star for me, it hovers around the character of Howard Hughes too long and too lingeringly, while in the backgroud an excellent political/executive story of corruption is playing out. I find a better balance between those two and a shorter runtime would have benefitted my enjoyment of it more. That said, it is excellent, excuisite filmmaking from an amazing director. Just not his best.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

Marit Risto F

So much pain. But great anyway. Blanchette and Di Caprio can be an irresistible combination

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

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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

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Martin Scorsese

Director

Leonardo DiCaprio

Howard Hughes

Cate Blanchett

Katharine Hepburn

Kate Beckinsale

Ava Gardner

John C. Reilly

Noah Dietrich

Alec Baldwin

Juan Trippe

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The Aviator: Trailer 1

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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: Initial Entertainment Group, Warner Brothers, Appian Way, Miramax Films, Forward Pass, Cappa Productions
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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