Leonardo DiCaprio’s Best Movie Is Rising Up The Streaming Charts
Titanic is climbing the streaming charts on Amazon Prime.
Following the tragic implosion of the now-infamous OceanGate Titan submersible, Amazon Prime has seen the 1997 movie Titanic receive a boost in viewership. According to FlixPatrol, the film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, is currently at number 10 on the United States streaming charts. The story is written and directed by James Cameron and includes historical and fictionalized aspects.
Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, begins in 1996 with an elderly Rose DeWitt Bukater sharing her memories of the RMS Titanic disaster with a team of researchers hoping to recover a large diamond, known as the Heart of the Ocean, that was lost during the tragedy. The story then shifts to 1912 when the Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ship ever built, sets sail on its maiden voyage.
Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), a young woman from a wealthy family, boards the ship in Southampton, England, along with her mother, Ruth (Frances Fisher), and her fiancé Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). Despite her privileged life, Rose feels trapped and suffocated by societal expectations and her arranged marriage to Cal.
On the ship, Rose meets Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young artist traveling in third class. Jack’s carefree spirit and love for life immediately attract her attention. Despite their different social backgrounds, they soon fall in love. As Rose and Jack spend time together, they explore the various parts of the Titanic, from the wealthy first-class areas to the crowded lower decks.
Their romance blossoms, with Jack teaching Rose to embrace her true desires and break free from the constraints of her aristocratic upbringing. Meanwhile, the ship’s crew, including the captain (Bernard Hill) and First Officer Murdoch (Ewan Stewart), receive warnings about icebergs in the area. However, the Titanic continues to sail at full speed, confident in its “unsinkable” reputation.
After a romantic night in the ship’s cargo hold, where Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) sketches Rose wearing only the Heart of the Ocean, the pair witnesses the Titanic’s collision with an iceberg and overhear its officials discussing the consequences. Later, Cal discovers the drawing, the necklace, and an insulting note in his safe.
When Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose return to warn the others about the collision, Cal frames him for stealing the Heart of the Ocean, leading to his arrest. Amid their personal drama, the ship’s collision with the iceberg causes a massive gash along its hull, and water rapidly begins flooding into the lower decks. As passengers scramble for lifeboats, Rose realizes her place is with Jack.
She refuses to board a lifeboat without Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and returns to the sinking ship. Together, they navigate the unsafe environment, desperately trying to survive. In the final moments, with the ship almost entirely submerged, Rose and Jack find themselves on the stern. They cling to each other as the ship breaks in half and begins its descent into the icy waters.
They hold on to a floating piece of debris with no other means of survival. Tragically, there is only enough room for one person on the floating wooden door. Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) encourages Rose to climb aboard, sacrificing himself to save her. Despite their profound love, he succumbs to the freezing water and dies. Rose is eventually rescued by a lifeboat and brought to safety.
Rose evades Cal and her mother by blending in with the steerage passengers and assuming the name Rose Dawson. She continues to wear Cal’s overcoat, unaware that the precious necklace is tucked away in one of its pockets. After hearing Rose’s story, Lovett abandons his search for the necklace.
In a quiet moment on the stern of the research vessel, Rose retrieves the Heart of the Ocean from her pocket. With a mixture of reflection and determination, she tosses it into the depths of the sea above the Titanic wreck site. Rose later dies peacefully in her bed, surrounded by photographs of a life filled with love and adventure. She is reunited with Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) in the afterlife.
Following its release, Titanic received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences, becoming a cultural phenomenon. The film was praised for its breathtaking visuals, meticulous attention to historical detail, and powerful performances. The chemistry between Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio was particularly lauded.
At the 70th Academy Awards, Titanic was nominated for 14 awards and won 11, tying the record set by 1959’s Ben-Hur. The film took home major honors, including Best Picture for producers James Cameron and Jon Landau and Best Director for Cameron. It also won awards for its screenplay, cinematography, visual effects, and musical score.
The Leonardo DiCaprio movie also became the highest-grossing film of all time at that point, earning over $2 billion at the global box office. Its success was bolstered by its compelling love story, stunning visuals, and a memorable soundtrack featuring the iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. Additionally, its popularity led to a resurgence of interest in the real Titanic tragedy.
The casting process involved an extensive search, with several actors and actresses considered for the roles of Jack and Rose. Before Leonardo DiCaprio secured the role, some notable stars whose names were tossed around included Matthew McConaughey, Chris O’Donnell, Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, River Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, and Brad Pitt.
The actresses considered for Rose were Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Claire Danes, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Christina Applegate, Reese Witherspoon, and Winona Ryder. While Chris O’Donnell was initially favored for the role of Jack, Leonardo DiCaprio ultimately secured the part after his audition impressed Cameron.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as Jack Dawson catapulted him to new heights of fame and established him as a leading actor in the industry. Similarly, Kate Winslet’s portrayal of Rose DeWitt solidified her reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. And if the FlixPatrol figures are anything to go by, Titanic is still a popular movie choice.
