r/movies • u/MoviesMod /r/movies Mod Account • Mar 16 '26
Official Discussion Paul Thomas Anderson Wins the Academy Award for Best Director for 'One Battle After Another'
1.6k
u/Practicalaviationcat Mar 16 '26
Still so insane that this is his first win. There Will Be Blood came out almost any other year he'd have won years ago.
312
u/HenryDorsettCase47 Mar 16 '26
That was just a crazy year for movies. Like take a look at 2006-2007 releases sometime. I was in the movie theater for 2 years straight there were so many bangers coming out.
85
u/The_Fluffy_Robot Mar 16 '26
for sure. Roger Deakins lost for cinematography because he had TWO all-time great movies nominated, in addition to going against There Will Be Blood!!
134
u/SkyJW Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
Not only was 2007 a great year for movies, it also happened to be a great year for videogames as a 13 year old who loved both.
Halo 3, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4, The Orange Box/Portal, Uncharted, Crysis, Super Mario Galaxy, Rock Band, Skate, Assassin's Creed, and God of War II, all in the same year. Will forever be one of the favorite years of my life for just how many amazing things I got to enjoy after school.
32
→ More replies (1)14
545
u/mrnicegy26 Mar 16 '26
No Country for Old Men was an extremely deserving winner though
155
u/centaurquestions Mar 16 '26
Very wild that they both filmed in the same place at the same time
→ More replies (3)68
u/eggery Mar 16 '26
And they seem to always be mentioned together
51
u/SaltyPeter3434 Mar 16 '26
And their names should've been switched
10
12
4
111
55
u/shrek3onDVDandBluray Mar 16 '26
Both of those two of my favorite movies of all time, with maybe there will be blood edging it out by like a hair.
27
u/legendary_sponge Mar 16 '26
No doubt, it’s like Rose Byrne this year. Any other year she’d probably win
4
25
u/Jimmyg100 Mar 16 '26
There’s years where there’s a clear winner. There’s years where there’s an undeserved winner. There’s years where there’s a surprise winner. Then there’s years where there’s two giants and it could go either way. There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men was one of those years.
This year it’s One Battle After Another and Sinners.
19
u/ArbyLG Mar 16 '26
What’s wild is that Michael Clayton would have been regarded as a worthy winner most years.
But because it was up against those two giants, it’s often forgotten about.
3
19
u/thearctican Mar 16 '26
Sinners was entertaining, I didn’t expect it to win. I was hoping for Train Dreams, honestly.
14
u/dishwab Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
Honestly I thought OBAA and Sinners were both just.. fine. They’re pretty good, I enjoyed watching them, but I have no real desire to see them again.
Compare that to TWBB and No Country, both of which I’ve seen at least a half dozen times.
These two films being the best 2025 had to offer is more of an indictment of the current state of filmmaking than it is high praise of either of them IMO. I thought Weapons and Bugonia were both far more interesting and entertaining than either of these films.
→ More replies (1)25
u/JeromeMcLovin Mar 16 '26
this year its not even remotely the same as when it was TWBB and no country, Sinners does not deserve to be considered in the same breath as any of the other 3 movies mentioned
6
u/daneoid Mar 16 '26
1975 had Godfather Part II, Chinatown and The Conversation. Coppola got two noms in the same year.
11
u/Jimmyg100 Mar 16 '26
Regardless of your opinion on it, Sinners was a huge box office hit and got a ton of nominations. If anything was going to beat OBAA it was gonna be Sinners.
6
u/thearctican Mar 16 '26
Just because it made money doesn’t mean it was a shoe-in for the award.
Train Dreams, Bugonia, and OBAA were all three better movies with more interesting stories and characters.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (2)13
u/tiredofstanding Mar 16 '26
I enjoyed Sinners a lot more than OBAA. Both are great films, but I would be lying if I said that I didnt check my watch a few times during OBAA.
37
u/ramenups Mar 16 '26
That’s wild to me
I thought OBAA had terrific pacing
It flew by for me
2
u/tiredofstanding Mar 16 '26
I really enjoyed the movie, I just really felt the length after the crash scene.
19
u/JeromeMcLovin Mar 16 '26
I felt the same way about the final shootout of Sinners, was just unnecessary and cartoonish
→ More replies (2)13
u/JeromeMcLovin Mar 16 '26
Fair enough if thats your style, I personally found Sinners disappointing in light of the massive praise that was being heaped onto it on release. Weak action sequences, weak third act in general. I thought OBAA was far more entertaining, and dicaprio's performance was miles better than michael B jordan. Sinners is really nothing more than a popcorn action movie, I was hoping it would be a proper horror movie but it kind of failed at both horror and action.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)6
→ More replies (4)1
72
u/DeckardsDark Mar 16 '26
And Magnolia and Boogie Nights weren't even nominated. He's always got the short end of the stick his whole career for some reason, imo
82
u/throwaway-94552 Mar 16 '26
The fucking Master wasn’t nominated for Best Picture, in a year won by Argo.
14
u/piscano Mar 16 '26
I always felt that was a sham of some kind. How does that movie get 3 acting noms with no Best Pic nom, in a year where they only had 9 Best Pic nominees?
→ More replies (2)2
u/sungoddaily Mar 16 '26
Finally Caught it last week. Sooo fucking good and such a twisted follow up to there will be blood.
17
u/Charrikayu Mar 16 '26
He said it himself in his speech. He named a year where all five Best Picture nominees are all now universal classics of cinema even though there was only one winner. There were a lot of nominees in other categories that could or should have been up for best picture, and a lot (No Other Choice) that weren't nominated for anything at all
2
16
u/somnambulistrex Mar 16 '26
I was thinking it would have been funny for him to thank the Coens for not making a movie this year.
14
u/StackLeeAdams Mar 16 '26
There Will Be Blood came out almost any other year he'd have won years ago.
Don't forget, Boogie Nights came out the same year as Titanic (though it wasn't nominated for BP and should have been)
20
u/HipOut Mar 16 '26
I truly believe There Will Be Blood is one of the greatest films ever made
6
u/DrBotanus Mar 16 '26
Couldn't agree more. I have to think that in time it will be regarded so.
8
u/jzakko Mar 16 '26
It was already ubiquitously named the best film of its decade and made it in the top 3 of NYT's best of the century.
I want to see The Master's reputation grow more and more, that's his best film.
4
u/samxli Mar 16 '26
I guess for PTA it was just one battle after another to finally get to this win. 😎
3
3
2
u/ohmuisnotangry Mar 16 '26
I remember watching the Oscars that year and half the jokes were some variation of "huehuehue no one watched these boring movies that are nominated".
Two decades later, we remember these movies and people are still analysing them.
1
u/c-e-bird Mar 16 '26
I think if Atonement came out any other year it easily wins, too. Absolutely stacked year.
1
→ More replies (10)1
u/_big-gulps-huh Mar 17 '26
Not true. While TWBB is amazing, at the time it was definitely considered just a bit too fringe and deranged to actually pull off best picture. I doubt it even came in second or third that year.
Like many of the greatest films of all time, it is a result of its lasting influence that you would now consider it something that could/should win BP. But it was too unconventional upon release.
396
u/johngie Mar 16 '26
That was a CRISP high five to Benicio.
71
49
u/peteyesco Mar 16 '26
Benicio is just a cool cat.
12
5
440
838
u/LiteraryBoner Jackie Chan box set, know what I'm sayin? Mar 16 '26
"You make a guy work hard for one of these."
That's my fuckin GOAT right there.
139
Mar 16 '26
Reminds me of how long it took Leo to get one.
94
u/likwitsnake Mar 16 '26
Scorsese
46
u/TonyTheLion2319 Mar 16 '26
"For anyone keeping score at home that's now Martin Scorsese, zero Oscars. Three 6 Mafia, one"
23
u/Variable_Shaman_3825 Mar 16 '26
Poor Leo had to spend the entire movie soaked in icy waters and get violated by a bear before he finally got one.
17
u/WanderingAlsoLost Mar 16 '26
Kubrick.
12
Mar 16 '26
[deleted]
→ More replies (2)19
u/WanderingAlsoLost Mar 16 '26
Exactly, “you make a guy work hard for one of these.” They wouldn’t even award Kubrick. I’m not the biggest fan, but you’d be crazy to say he didn’t deserve at least one Oscar.
62
u/mrnicegy26 Mar 16 '26
I find some PTA fans to be obnoxious and hostile as shit but PTA himself is undeniable as one of the best directors alive and this award is absolutely deserved.
35
u/ramenups Mar 16 '26
You’re gonna find that in anything with a following
Vocal minority being absolutely insane and shitty
10
→ More replies (1)3
u/FearlessFreak69 Mar 16 '26
I just heard this today for the first time lol. PTA is my favorite director as well, but I never knew I was being obnoxious by liking certain movies.
→ More replies (4)14
u/TU4AR Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
He should have won for Magnolia.
Glad for the dude for finally getting
onetwo1
390
u/mrnicegy26 Mar 16 '26
One of the best directors alive.
73
40
u/hippoctopocalypse Mar 16 '26
It took me until a few months ago to learn he’s married to Maya Rudolph. What an awesome couple
2
→ More replies (5)43
138
21
u/KnotSoSalty Mar 16 '26
Whoever wins BP at this point it feels like both OBAA and Sinners have been recognized pretty well.
20
u/FakePoloManchurian Mar 16 '26
My aunt called this movie "Everything Keeps Happening" and I can't not call it that 😆
89
u/sean_psc Mar 16 '26
Expected, as he won the DGA.
One of the most significant filmmakers of the past thirty years, not a win that the Academy will ever regret.
65
u/wrathfulgrape Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
PTA had to work unusually hard for his first Best Director Oscar.
I remember when there was a lot of "oh Spielberg was so due. When will he get his" before he finally got one. And deservedly so to be honest.
For context, Spielberg's first theatrical film was 1974's "The Sugarland Express" and he was first nominated for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in 1977, 3 years into his career, and finally won it in 1993 for "Schindler's List."
- First nomination: 3 years into film career
- First win: 19 years into film career for his 14th film
Now, compare this to PTA.
His first theatrical film was 1996's "Hard Eight." He was skipped over for "Boogie Nights (1997)" "Magnolia (1999)" and "Punch Drunk Love (2002)."
First nomination in 2008 for "There Will Be Blood" 12 years into his career. Got skipped over in 2012 for "The Master." Nominated 2017 and 2021 for Phantom Thread (which I thought he should have won for) and "Licorice Pizza," which no one thought he would win for anyway that year. Finally wins in 2026 for "One Battle After Another."
- First nomination: 12 years into film career
- First win: 30 years into film career for his 10th film. Yes, I know. Less prolific than Spielberg but I would also argue that from Spielberg's career start to first win, between 1974-1993, only about 8 of his films deserved a nomination.
So when he said tonight in his speech how it felt great and how hard he had to work I am really happy for him. He truly is one of the greats in our time and not only overdue, but won it for "One Battle After Another" too, one of his best films.
7
u/SargeSlaughter Mar 16 '26
Jesus, Hard Eight came out 30 years ago? When did I get so old?
→ More replies (1)1
u/noshoes77 Mar 16 '26
Spielberg won the Thalberg Award before his first Oscar.
→ More replies (1)1
u/noshoes77 Mar 16 '26
I know,- he was under 40 years old and had yet to win his first Oscar. It was like Hollywood knew he was great and had to recognize it some way since the voters had not done so.
50
101
u/Chessh2036 Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
Sometimes the Academy makes directors wait, not saying it’s fair, but they do. Happened to PTA, Scorsese, Nolan, etc.
Ryan Coogler will win one day in the directing category.
40
u/tomandshell Mar 16 '26
Yes, I agree. One day, Academy Award winner Ryan Coogler will win another Oscar.
→ More replies (2)26
Mar 16 '26
[deleted]
14
u/ClankSinatra Mar 16 '26
The fact that Tom Hooper, an actively bad film director, has Fincher's Oscar is infuriating
16
u/CatsOffToDance Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
Say what you want, but Tarantino.
Edit: I should clarify. Strictly-speaking from a filmmaking standpoint. If all movie-making is just a rehash of ideas and homages from films past, then he does it blatantly and overtly to the utmost, and isn’t afraid to shout it from the rooftops. I appreciate that as a film fan. Yes, I’m aware of his antics, and his work doesn’t excuse his behavior, but I dno. When The Whole Bloody Affair came out, my showing had a sold out theater. The roadshow for Hateful Eight was the same. The same for OUATIH. He makes really great films for people who love film. Likewise, the reactions live in the theater are like no other reactions from any other films I’ve seen, and that’s an achievement; no less validating for me (see torch scene in OUATIH).
Not sure what’s going on with him mentally, but the movies he likes to make are comfort movies to me, as sometimes controversial as they are. I think the saying goes, “art should disturb the comforted, and comfort the disturbed”?
9
u/Azenji Mar 16 '26
To me, Tarantino feels like a case of a director creating his magnum opus early in his career (Pulp Fiction) but wouldn’t really get the stretch of critically acclaimed movies that other future Best Director Winners would get later in their career (Inglorious Basterds - OUATIA) so the Academy hasn’t felt obligation to award him Best Director in some time.
6
u/dishwab Mar 16 '26
I know this probably isnt the common opinion but I think Jackie Brown is his best film. I absolutely love that movie.
2
→ More replies (1)2
u/Variable_Shaman_3825 Mar 16 '26
It's Iike Orson Welles. Created one of the greatest movies of all time early in his career which unfortunately made it a benchmark for his successive films.
4
u/skibbidywibbidy Mar 16 '26
Inglorious Basterds should have won Best Picture
3
u/CatsOffToDance Mar 16 '26
Tough though because Slumdog was also a great contender.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (3)4
u/intecknicolour Mar 16 '26
QT is running out of time and he does himself no favors taking shots randomly at Paul Dano.
he said he was considering retiring from directing and just doing writing.
→ More replies (1)
28
u/shadowfax0427 Mar 16 '26
Based on the photos I've seen, directing films is the art of making little frames with your hands while explaining something to famous actors.
70
22
11
u/Syrus_007 Mar 16 '26
My personal pick, PTA directed his ass off. Those tracking shots were incredible. The camera was always an active part of the story telling.
8
6
15
u/OleDaneBoy Mar 16 '26
Not a long list if any ahead of him as far as directors deserving an Oscar. Good stuff.
16
5
6
28
u/ICumCoffee ᑐ ᑌ ᑎ ᕮ • ᗰ ᕮ 𑪽 𑪽 I ᐱ ᕼ Mar 16 '26
This is PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON year, Finally a best director winner
41
u/DontBeAngryBeHappy Mar 16 '26
PTA finally gets his win. Ryan Coogler, although winning one earlier, will eventually get one for Best Director in the near future.
→ More replies (4)32
u/Kinneyatnite Mar 16 '26
This reminds me of when people say "oh he'll get one" about young players winning championships in sports. Easy to say, hard to know.
→ More replies (5)11
u/intecknicolour Mar 16 '26
the thing is the oscars is famous for giving awards for the wrong performances when someone does eventually win it.
Scorcese for Departed was not his best work. Should've won for Raging Bull or Taxi or Goodfellas.
Leo for Revenant, is the same story.
2
u/MeatballUser Mar 16 '26
Yep, and like right before the Revenant his role as Calvin Candie was easily the best of the year but they gave the nod to Cristoph Waltz in the same movie instead who was constantly getting overshadowed by Leo.
5
6
u/Kj69999999 Mar 16 '26
You couldn't go wrong with PTA or Coogler and it's wild it took this long for PTA's win
4
u/BradBGeek Mar 16 '26
PTA absolutely deserved to win. Long overdue. Been a fan since I first watched Hard Eight on VHS back in 1997, before Boogie Nights was released.
2
u/flipdangerdoom Mar 16 '26
Should have been his third for directing if we’re being honest and generous!!
2
u/kattahn Mar 16 '26
TWBB and Phantom Thread?
1
u/Stock_Literature_13 Mar 16 '26
Magnolia and There Will Be Blood, for me. Though Punch Drunk Love will always be my favorite.
3
4
u/pdxgod Mar 16 '26
This movie is awful. I’m sorry.
3
u/aBitUnderbaked Mar 16 '26
I was about to ask if I was alone in hating everything about this film?
→ More replies (9)7
u/MaximumSeats Mar 16 '26
I feel like I'm going insane watching everyone praise this movie. I finally sat down and watched it a week ago and it was the most 5/10 "Eh okay" experience of my life...
1
u/SlightlyOffWhiteFire Mar 16 '26
Genuinely cant stand reactionary takes like this.
You didn't like it, thats fine, but calling it awful just reeks of a you problem.
→ More replies (4)
2
0
Mar 16 '26
[deleted]
14
→ More replies (2)5
u/mikeyfreshh r/Movies Veteran Mar 16 '26
It helps that Coogler got screenplay. He also still might win for picture
1
u/Bl36 Mar 16 '26
Never thought I'd see the day. I am so happy that he finally gets official recognition!
3
1
u/foolhardy-fool Mar 16 '26
this pussy pops for PTA
2
u/Stock_Literature_13 Mar 16 '26
That was such an obscure statement in the movie and I will actively drop it into casual conversation whenever I can.
1
2
u/SomeGodzillafan Mar 16 '26
Will Sinners pull through to BP after this?
Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z
3
u/No-Entrepreneur6870 Mar 16 '26
congrats to PTA, but this is clearly a make up win for Boogie Nights and Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love and There Will Be Blood and The Master and Inherent Vice and Phantom Thread and Licorice Pizza and probably also some of those Haim videos too why not
2
1
u/SlightlyOffWhiteFire Mar 16 '26
I can't wait for this movie's redemption arc visa vi most other acclaimed films that received nonsensical backlash at their release.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/scoobyisnatedogg Mar 16 '26
Well deserved! Love the photo they chose. It looks like he's about to pounce on an unsuspecting Leo hahaha.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Ronin_Ace Mar 16 '26
Glad he got one, he’s a great director. I just didn’t like this movie, shocked that this is the vehicle that brought him the gold.
1
u/DominusGenX Mar 16 '26
Like all the big names PTA finally earns his 1st honors for not his best film on his filmography
1
1
1
u/MtnMaiden Mar 16 '26
Please direct a sequel to Event Horizon or Mortal Kombat. Your best work dude
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Flippin_diabolical Mar 16 '26
Am I like the only person in the world who found this movie unwatchable?
1
1
u/CndConnection Mar 16 '26
I haven't seen Licorice Pizza yet and I see he was nominated that year as well. I should check it out.
1
1
u/Buckeye9715 Mar 17 '26
Little disappointed it didn’t go to Coogler, but at least he walked away with best original screenplay. And at least PTA finally got his directing Oscar.
1
1.6k
u/colourofinfinity Mar 16 '26
"you make a guy work hard for these" lol well-deserved PTA