Paul Thomas Anderson‘s One Battle After Another has hit $198 million worldwide, crushing box office records. This action thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor. The film premiered on September 26, 2025. It’s now Anderson’s highest-grossing film ever.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Worldwide gross: $198 million as of November 16, 2025
- U.S./Canada: $70 million | International: $129 million
- Opening weekend: $22 million (career-best for director)
- Runtime: 2 hours 50 minutes | R-rated action thriller
- Surpasses There Will Be Blood ($77M) as PTA’s previous record
How One Battle After Another Broke Anderson’s Box Office Record
One Battle After Another opened with $22 million domestically on its first weekend. This marked the strongest opening for any Paul Thomas Anderson film in history. The film maintained steady momentum throughout fall 2025.
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The worldwide gross of $198 million represents a major milestone. Anderson‘s previous record holder was There Will Be Blood from 2007, which grossed just over $77 million globally. This new film has more than doubled that total. International markets drove significant revenue, with $129 million coming from overseas territories.
“One Battle After Another represents a new benchmark for auteur-driven action cinema at the global box office.”
Why This Achievement Matters for Anderson and Cinema
For Paul Thomas Anderson, this represents validation of his artistic vision reaching mainstream audiences. His films have always been critically acclaimed but commercially underperforming. One Battle After Another proves original, R-rated films can still succeed.
The success matters beyond Anderson’s career. It demonstrates that audiences will embrace complex storytelling when compelling stars align. Leonardo DiCaprio anchoring this ambitious thriller attracted global viewers. This encourages studios to greenlight similar projects.
The film’s performance also validates director-driven action cinema. Studios have largely abandoned auteur-helmed thrillers for franchise content. One Battle After Another proves there’s still market appetite for original concepts with A-list talent.
The Cast, Crew, and Creative Team Behind the Box Office Success
The ensemble cast drove much of the appeal. Leonardo DiCaprio leads as a paranoid revolutionary attempting to rescue his daughter. Sean Penn plays a hardened military figure. Teyana Taylor and newcomer Chase Infiniti round out the core cast, with Benicio del Toro in a supporting role.
Behind the camera, Anderson directed, wrote, and produced the film. Cinematographer Michael Bauman crafted the visual language. Composer Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead created the original score. The runtime stretches 2 hours 50 minutes, fitting Anderson’s ambitious storytelling approach.
| Role | Actor | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Leonardo DiCaprio | Bob Ferguson |
| Co-Lead | Sean Penn | Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw |
| Supporting | Teyana Taylor | Perfidia Beverly Hills |
| Supporting | Chase Infiniti | Willa Ferguson |
| Supporting | Benicio del Toro | Sensei Sergio St. Carlos |
What Comes Next? Critical Acclaim and Awards Season Potential
- Film holds a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score with critics.
- Positioning emerging for awards consideration in key categories.
- DiCaprio expected to receive recognition for lead performance.
- Anderson may garner Best Director nominations from guilds.
- Extended theatrical run planned through November and December 2025.
Can Paul Thomas Anderson Maintain This Momentum or Will Box Office Cool?
The real question now: Has Anderson cracked the mainstream code or did DiCaprio‘s star power drive this outlier success? His previous films struggled despite critical acclaim. There Will Be Blood earned just $77 million globally despite being a masterpiece.
One Battle After Another‘s trajectory suggests sustainable appeal if it stays in theaters. International legs remain strong, particularly in foreign markets. Marketing efforts across North America, Europe, and Asia continue building momentum. The R-rating limits some demographics, but dedicated adult audiences are showing up.
What’ll ultimately matter: Whether this success opens doors for Anderson‘s future projects. Studios tend to notice when directors hit commercial benchmarks. A $200 million-plus film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson rewrites his career narrative from “brilliant but artsy” to “commercially viable visionary.”
Sources
- Box Office Mojo – Real-time domestic and international box office tracking
- Wikipedia – One Battle After Another – Comprehensive film data and production details
- Deadline – Entertainment industry box office analysis and reporting
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.