Martin Scorsese Picks Kubrick Classic Over DiCaprio and Gadot Films
Martin Scorsese recently faced a tough movie showdown, choosing his all-time favorite from a lineup that included works starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Gal Gadot. His final pick might surprise you—and spark debate among film fans.
When legendary director Martin Scorsese was challenged to select his top film from a series of head-to-head matchups, he didn’t hesitate to make some bold choices. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for his sharp eye and deep appreciation for cinema, found himself picking between some of Hollywood ’s most celebrated movies —including those featuring his frequent collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio and blockbuster star Gal Gadot.
Scorsese’s Surprising Movie Face-Offs
In the opening round, Scorsese went with Birdman over Clint Eastwood’s iconic The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. He then favored DiCaprio’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood instead of Gadot’s standout performance in Wonder Woman. The next choices saw him select 2001: A Space Odyssey over Catch Me If You Can, and The Silence of the Lambs over Mystic River.
As the game continued, he picked Inside Out over Frozen, Parasite over Ratatouille, Dancer in the Dark over Twilight, and Pan’s Labyrinth over Lost in Translation. From there, Scorsese narrowed it down further, choosing Birdman over Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 2001: A Space Odyssey over The Silence of the Lambs, Parasite over Inside Out, and Dancer in the Dark over Pan’s Labyrinth.
Kubrick’s Masterpiece Takes the Crown
In the final stretch, Scorsese selected 2001: A Space Odyssey over Birdman and Parasite over Dancer in the Dark. The ultimate showdown came down to 2001: A Space Odyssey and Parasite, with the Stanley Kubrick classic emerging as his top pick.
Released in 1968, 2001: A Space Odyssey was co-written, produced, and directed by Stanley Kubrick, with Arthur C. Clarke contributing to the screenplay. The film is renowned for its realistic portrayal of space travel, groundbreaking visual effects, and thought-provoking themes. The story follows humanity’s discovery of a mysterious artifact beneath the moon’s surface, leading to a journey to Jupiter with the help of the sentient computer HAL 9000.
Why 2001: A Space Odyssey Stands Out
The cast included Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, and Douglas Rain as the voice of HAL 9000. The film was a box office hit, earning nearly $70 million worldwide on a $10.5 million budget. It holds a 90% critics score and 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb. Critics have praised its exploration of human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and the search for extraterrestrial life. The movie received four Oscar nominations, with Kubrick winning for Best Visual Effects—the only Academy Award he ever received.
Fans React to Scorsese’s Movie Picks
Scorsese’s choices sparked plenty of conversation online. Some fans were surprised by his preference for Birdman over Sergio Leone’s classic western, while others questioned his decision to pick Inside Out over Frozen. One user commented,
Scorsese likes Birdman?? Based, that movies always gets shit on here
while another wrote,
Over Silence of the Lambs!? I don’t think so.
Others chimed in with,
I'm here for his Dancer in the Dark love
and
Only iffy one is inside out over frozen. But psychology over myth is on brand for him
.
Despite the mixed reactions, Scorsese’s quick decisions—wrapping up the game in just 30 seconds—showed his confidence in his cinematic taste. Whether or not fans agree, his picks have certainly fueled plenty of debate among movie lovers.
2001: A Space Odyssey is currently available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel.