Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, marking the director’s first win in the top category and cementing the oscar movie as a major triumph for the filmmaker.
Quick Facts
- Film won six Oscars total, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay
- Directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson
- Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro
- Premiered September 8, 2025; released in the U.S. on September 26, 2025
The political thriller, described as following a washed-up former revolutionary brought back into conflict when his enemy resurfaces, dominated the ceremony. Anderson took home both Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, making the night especially significant for the acclaimed filmmaker.
The film’s sweep extended beyond the top categories. According to Wikipedia, “One Battle After Another” became the inaugural recipient of Best Casting, a newly established Oscar category. The movie also won awards for film editing and cinematography, rounding out its six-award haul.
Oscar movie ‘One Battle After Another’ wins Best Picture at 2026 Academy Awards
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With a runtime of 161 minutes and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the oscar movie had already garnered critical acclaim before the ceremony. The film earned a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and scored Golden Globe wins for Best Screenplay, positioning it as a frontrunner heading into the Academy Awards.
Sources
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars.org) — Official Best Picture winner announcement and ceremony details
- Time Magazine — Confirmation of six Oscar wins including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay
- Wikipedia — Film details, Best Casting inaugural award, and production information
- Rotten Tomatoes — Critical reception and Tomatometer score
- ABC News — Live coverage of the 98th Academy Awards and winner announcements
