I was just a young pup when Titanic came out, but I distinctly remember finding the VHS at a friend’s house and asking about it. When I saw Leo’s face on the cover, I knew immediately that whatever “it” was, he had it. Even as a five-year-old, I recognized that Leo’s impact was something special. Now, over twenty-five years later, I struggle to find that same “it” factor in culture.
In the over-convoluted world we live in, finding a monolithic figure feels like a fool’s errand. How can we identify “the next big thing” when billions of things are being thrown our way at once? I don’t think you can. But, dammit, I’m going to try!
Of every movie star out there today, the most accurate comparison I can make to Leonardo DiCaprio is Timothée Chalamet. Maybe it’s the European name that rolls off the tongue. Maybe it’s the “hot boy of the decade” vibes they both exude. Or maybe…it’s that their careers are a little more similar than we might think.
After months of research, I’ve watched (almost) every Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet leading role known to mankind. So congratulations! You don’t have to do the hard work. Just sit back as I compare these two superstars’ careers and show you how beautifully similar, they are.
DiCaprio in Basketball Diaries is Chalamet in Beautiful Boy
Both actors have a knack for picking roles that fit their emotional resonance. Both films explore teens grappling with drug addiction and the struggle to find their place in the world. While I enjoyed both, Beautiful Boy edges out as the more affecting watch. But you can’t deny that it’s still fun to see Leo as the quintessential bad boy.
DiCaprio in Total Eclipse is Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name
Two young men playing lovers to older men, both giving performances that outshine their more established co-stars. These are emotionally intense, morally complex films that leave you mentally untangling your feelings. Both are twin stories in spirit, but Call Me By Your Name wins for overall execution.
DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby is Chalamet in Wonka
Both films are visually striking, but it’s the leading men who anchor the emotion. DiCaprio and Chalamet both capture the ache behind the sparkle. the dreamers in pursuit of love and belonging. At this stage in Chalamet’s career, the blossoms of greatness are visible, but DiCaprio still takes the win here.
DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road is Chalamet in Bones and All
Eerily similar emotionally, though conceptually different. One story is about escaping mundanity, the other about escaping one’s past. Both films eat at your soul, figuratively or literally, and both actors shine alongside compelling female counterparts. Tough choice, but DiCaprio narrowly takes this one.
DiCaprio in The Aviator is Chalamet in A Complete Unknown
Biopics about complicated 20th-century men. Both actors immersed themselves fully, and both performances highlight their place in the movie star hierarchy. Chalamet may have the edge here, by learning to play and sing like Dylan, recording live takes, and making a more captivating film along the way.
DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet is Chalamet in Hot Summer Nights
Breakout roles that proved they could be taken seriously while showcasing teen heartthrob charm. Both ooze charisma and romance, but I give Chalamet the slight edge here for his raw, magnetic performance.
DiCaprio in Inception is Chalamet in Dune
High-concept blockbusters with emotional stakes at the center. Both actors lead worlds filled with spectacle while grounding the story with nuance and tension. Among my favorites from each, but DiCaprio wins this round.
DiCaprio in Titanic is Chalamet in Dune: Part Two
The biggest comparison of all. Both films are cultural moments we’re unlikely to forget. While the earlier comparisons show their acting chops, these roles cement them in the cultural zeitgeist. Titanic is impossible to beat, so DiCaprio takes this one.
Obviously, there’s no right or wrong answer here. These comparisons are subjective, and it may be years before we can truly measure their legacies. But one thing’s for sure: both Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet are shining bright as two of the great actors of our time.
What do you think? I want to hear your takes. Hit me with your favorite film comparisons, thoughts on who takes the crown in each matchup, or criticisms of my list!
Jake Elliff is the culture writer for The Alabama Take, teaches high school, and hosts his own Premier League podcast, Premier Period.