Paul Thomas Anderson has long stood among modern cinema’s most influential filmmakers. Now he has an Oscar to match. Anderson won the Academy Award for best director for “One Battle After Another,” the sweeping political drama that blends his signature character-driven storytelling with large-scale historical themes.

Paul Thomas Anderson's latest movie does a lot in its 2 hours and 40 minutes—and will stick with you long after.

At the 2026 Oscars this evening, One Battle After Another is up for 13 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (for Paul Thomas Anderson), Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn) and Best Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor).

Anderson again defied expectations with One Battle After Another, which is easily the most action-packed and politically resonant film in his oeuvre. Loosely adapted from Thomas Pynchon's Vineland, it tells the unnerving,

Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti say they wanted to start conversations with “One Battle After Another.”

One Battle After Another was quite popular with both critics and audiences, and has been having a spectacular awards season, winning three Critics' Choice Awards, four Golden Globes, and six BAFTAs. As we wait for the verdicts on the movie’s 13 Academy Award nominations,

Supporting Actress: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value.” She gave an incredibly nuanced performance. Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another.” Who knows what it was adapted from? Nobody’s read [Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland”].

Two celebrated filmmakers, Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler, won the first Oscars of their careers at the 98th Academy Awards. Anderson received the honor for his “One Battle After Another” adapted screenplay,