The Aviator | Rotten Tomatoes

The Aviator

PG-13

Now Playing

2 hr. 46 min.

Biography

History

Drama

List

87%

230 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Rob A

An epic biopic of the eccentric, reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda and Kate Beckinsale, and directed by Martin Scorcese. The film takes place during the first half of the 20th century, and it's big budget ($110 million) really transports you there. Eleven Oscar nominations with five wins make this masterpiece an absolute must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/23

Full Review

A B

Maddening how this is a true story, and while there's real life twists and turns, it's a bit of a dull story about a guy who pees in jars.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Gortee U

Good movie, i totaly wount except that good colors and cimetagrophy for 2004, i hardly even found any problems whit this movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/23

Full Review

Jona I

Ambitious. And Blanchett gives a grounded performance

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/25/23

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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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

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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
Executive Producer: Chris Brigham
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
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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