Paul Thomas Anderson’s most critically acclaimed film, the highest-grossing movie of his career, has ascended to the top of the Oscar mountain. “One Battle After Another” won the Best Picture Academy Award at the 2026 Oscars, beating fierce competition from acclaimed nominees such as “Sinners,” “Hamnet,” “The Secret Agent,” “Train Dreams,” and “Sentimental Value.” It is Warner Bros.’ 10th Best Picture win in its 110-year history and its fourth this century, following “Million Dollar Baby,” “The Departed,” and “Argo.”
READ MORE: 2026 Oscars Winners and Nominees [Complete List]
Produced by Anderson, Sara Murphy, and Adam Somner, who passed away in 2024, the comedic thriller won six Academy Awards overall, including Best Director (Anderson), Adapted Screenplay (Anderson), Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Editing (Andy Jurgensen), and Cinematography (Michael Bauman). The film earned 13 nominations overall, second only to “Sinners” record-breaking total of 16.
“One Battle” dominated the 2025-2026 awards season, claiming Best Film or Best Picture from the National Society of Film Critics, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle, and the National Board of Review. It won Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes, Best Picture at the Critics’ Choice Awards, and, despite a reported budget somewhere between $125-175 million, Best Feature at the indie-themed Gotham Awards.
The Leonardo DiCaprio tentpole also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film, the top PGA Award, and the Theatrical Feature Film honor at the DGA Awards. It notably won key honors at the Art Directors Guild Award, ACE Eddie Award, Costume Designer Guild Awards, and Make-up and Hairstylist Guild Awards. It also took the Best International Film award at France’s Cesar Awards.
It was by far the biggest box office hit of Anderson’s career, grossing $72 million in the U.S. and $209 million worldwide.
While not a world premiere, it did screen at the 2025 New York Film Festival.
Follow Gregory Ellwood on Bluesky
Follow Gregory Ellwood on Threads
Follow Gregory Ellwood on Instagram
Follow Gregory Ellwood on TikTok
Sign Up For The Breakdown Newsletter
