
The Aviator
2004 · Movie · PG-13 · 170 min · ★ 7.2 · 82% critics
A wealthy movie producer and aviation pioneer chases huge ambitions in Hollywood and the skies, taking bold risks that bring fame, power, and public scrutiny. As his success grows, private compulsions and fears increasingly complicate his work, relationships, and sense of control.
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Details
- Years
- 2004
- Release date
- 2004-12-17
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 170 min
- Critic score
- 82/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (5,849 votes)
- Box office
- $213,741,459
- Budget
- $110,000,000
About
You’ll like this if you enjoy ambitious biopics like Walk the Line or Darkest Hour, with big personalities and personal struggles; Not for you if long, sprawling character studies feel tiring.
Pros: strong lead performance; rich period atmosphere; compelling aviation drama | Cons: lengthy runtime; limited inner insight; uneven story balance
Themes
- ladykiller
- pilot
- biography
- based on true story
- womanizer
- phobia
- aviation
- period drama
- u.s. congress
- flying boat
- test flight
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 2005
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 2005
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design · 2005
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2005
- Academy Award — Best Production Design · 2005
Show all 17 awards →
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Production Design · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2005 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 2005 · nominated
Cast & crew

Leonardo DiCaprio
as Howard Hughes

Cate Blanchett
as Katharine Hepburn

Kate Beckinsale
as Ava Gardner

John C. Reilly
as Noah Dietrich

Alec Baldwin
as Juan Trippe

Alan Alda
as Senator Ralph Owen Brewster

Ian Holm
as Professor Fitz

Danny Huston
as Jack Frye

Gwen Stefani
as Jean Harlow

Jude Law
as Errol Flynn
Directed by Martin Scorsese