Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another is emerging as the clear favorite for the 2026 Best Picture statuette. As per several experts and commentators, it has the best chance to win the Oscar. Leonardo DiCaprio as the paranoid ex-revolutionary Bob, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor star in the film.
Anderson's track record is exceptional: the auteur behind masterpieces like There Will Be Blood and Licorice Pizza has earned multiple Academy nods, blending cerebral storytelling with visceral impact. The film's timely themes of faded idealism, paranoia, and redemption resonate in a post-pandemic world. No wonder that the film has earned rave reviews for its "propulsive, fun, and moving" narrative.
Early festival buzz, including triumphs at Venice and Toronto, have only solidified its awards momentum. One Battle After Another was nominated for nine awards at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, receiving the most nominations of any film that year, winning four, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
"Anderson weaves dark comedy with thriller elements, exploring fractured loyalties and the ghosts of activism. DiCaprio's nuanced portrayal of Bob's unraveling psyche anchors the chaos, while the supporting cast delivers standout moments of tension and heart," a review stated.
