The Aviator
A visionary aviator and Hollywood tycoon pursues technological greatness while fame, rivalry, and debilitating compulsions threaten to consume him.
Overview
A visionary's ambition takes flight, but the turbulence of his mind threatens to ground him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- grandiose
- tense
- melancholic
- historical film night
- aviation movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Martin Scorsese's assured direction, Leonardo DiCaprio's committed lead performance, rich period detail, and technical spectacle, while finding the expansive biography occasionally hollow or spectacle-heavy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Howard Hughes repeatedly risks fortunes and relationships to design aircraft and challenge established aviation power.
The film begins with Hughes as an R.K.O. Pictures owner and emphasizes the era's studios, stars, and filmmaking culture.
Hughes gains prominence through aviation while germophobia and severe mental illness increasingly isolate him.
Experimental aircraft, flying boats, test flights, and crashes receive sustained visual emphasis.
Films like The Aviator, and why
Raging Bull
shared biographical drama, ambitious protagonist, period spectacle, and psychologically complex portrait of power
There Will Be Blood
shared historical biopic form, larger-than-life industrial ambition, lavish period production, and obsessive central figure
Ed Wood
shared Hollywood history, filmmaking ambition, sumptuous period detail, and tragic celebrity portrait
Amelia
shared aviation-centered historical drama, risk-taking protagonist, technological achievement, and emotional isolation
Movie Details
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Release Date
- 2004-12-17
- Runtime
- 170 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (6022)
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Cate Blanchett
- Kate Beckinsale
- John C. Reilly
- Alec Baldwin
- Alan Alda
- Ian Holm
- Danny Huston
- Gwen Stefani
- Jude Law
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Aviator about?
- A visionary aviator and Hollywood tycoon pursues technological greatness while fame, rivalry, and debilitating compulsions threaten to consume him.
- What is The Aviator like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Aviator as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Aviator violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Aviator as mild.
- What did critics think of The Aviator?
- Critics broadly praised Martin Scorsese's assured direction, Leonardo DiCaprio's committed lead performance, rich period detail, and technical spectacle, while finding the expansive biography occasionally hollow or spectacle-heavy.
- Which films are like The Aviator?
- Films with a similar feel include Raging Bull, There Will Be Blood, Ed Wood, and Amelia.
- How long is The Aviator?
- The Aviator runs 170 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Aviator?
- In United States, The Aviator streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
