Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Added to Netflix Canada on December 4, 2025

Teenaged Frank Abagnale Jr. successfully impersonates a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, cashing millions in bad checks. FBI agent Carl Hanratty becomes obsessed with capturing the master forger. The two develop a complex, cat-and-mouse relationship across continents, which ultimately results in a unique partnership.

Length: 2h21m
Genre: Crime, Comedy, Drama
This Title is: Witty Capers / Identity & Pursuit

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams

Parental Guidance

Maturity Rating: PG-13 – Brief sexuality, thematic elements, and some language.

FAQ

Is Catch Me If You Can (2002) Based on a True Story?: Yes, the story is based on the semi-autobiographical book by Frank Abagnale Jr., detailing his impressive cons before the age of 19.
Where was Catch Me If You Can (2002) filmed?: Filming spanned multiple locations, primarily Los Angeles and New York, with Quebec City and Montreal standing in for the French scenes.
Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: John Williams

Filmmaker Profile

Director Steven Spielberg took on this lighter project after a major science fiction production. His approach infused the 1960s crime story with sentiment and a breezy, nostalgic style. He expertly framed Frank’s actions as a search for family, elevating the chase above a simple heist story.

Why It’s Worth Watching

The movie is a masterful blend of slick comedy, drama, and high-stakes suspense, anchored by the energetic performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Spielberg’s vibrant 1960s production design and John Williams’ jazzy score create a stylish, fast-paced, and effortlessly watchable look at an incredible true story.

Main Character Deep Dive

Frank Abagnale Jr.’s exploits are driven by emotional turmoil following his parents’ divorce, making his criminal success a desperate search for stability and approval. DiCaprio perfectly captures Frank’s charismatic genius and underlying loneliness, portraying a lost young man who only finds a strange sense of belonging in his relentless pursuit by Agent Hanratty.

Unforgettable Quote

“Nobody’s chasing you.”

Trivia

The movie was shot across 147 different locations in only 52 days, an extremely fast pace for director Steven Spielberg.
The real Frank Abagnale Jr. makes a cameo appearance as one of the police officers who arrests Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in France.
The sleek, 1960s airport scenes were authentically filmed in the TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport in New York.

Trailer

Stream Catch Me If You Can (2002) on:

Netflix Canada

Our Review

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I found this movie to be a triumph of light-footed storytelling and stellar acting. The swift pace perfectly mirrors the life of the central character, a young man always one step ahead. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his most charming and energetic performances as the con artist, while Tom Hanks masterfully plays the tenacious FBI agent trying to track him down. Their chemistry is fantastic, forming the emotional core of the high-stakes game. Steven Spielberg handles the material with a stylish flair, recreating the glamorous 1960s with incredible accuracy and vibrant period detail. The costuming and production design are exceptional, transporting us completely into this bygone era of air travel and check forgery. I especially enjoyed the smart script and the humor woven into the tense manhunt. This production is simply delightful and an incredibly rewarding experience.