Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film has achieved an unprecedented milestone. One Battle After Another crossed the $200 million mark at the worldwide box office. This is Anderson’s first film to ever reach this golden figure. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio in a lead role.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- $200.3 million in worldwide box office gross as of November 2025
- $70 million domestic (US/Canada), $130 million international
- Highest-grossing film in Paul Thomas Anderson’s entire career
- Boasts 94% critical and 85% audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes
- Expected to receive numerous nominations for the 2026 Academy Awards
How Anderson Hit His Career Box Office Peak
One Battle After Another premiered widely on September 26, 2025. The film opened with $22 million domestically during opening weekend.
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Previous Anderson films struggled to reach mainstream box office success. There Will Be Blood (his previous highest-grossing film) earned just $76 million worldwide. Magnolia made $48 million total. Boogie Nights grossed $43 million globally. The gap between those totals and this film’s $200 million is extraordinary.
The film found massive international appeal. Of the $200.3 million total, $130.1 million came from overseas territories. This represents 65% of total revenue from non-US markets. International audiences embraced Anderson’s distinctive storytelling approach.
Critical Acclaim Meets Commercial Success
One Battle After Another earned universal praise from critics. The film maintains a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score from professional reviewers. Audience scores are equally strong at 85%. This rare combination of critical and audience approval explains the strong commercial performance.
The cast delivers powerful performances that resonated widely. Leonardo DiCaprio leads the ensemble alongside Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, and Regina Hall. The film runs 2 hours and 50 minutes and carries an R rating.
Anderson created this film as an original screenplay. It is not based on existing intellectual property. The achievement of reaching $200 million worldwide with original material stands out. Studios typically reserve blockbuster budgets for established franchises and known properties.
Box Office Breakdown: Where the Money Came From
| Territory | Gross Amount | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (US/Canada) | $70 million | 35% |
| International | $130.1 million | 65% |
| Worldwide Total | $200.3 million | 100% |
The international component proves crucial to this success. Anderson’s artistic sensibility found widespread appreciation globally. The film performed strongly across multiple continents and markets.
Awards Season Momentum Building
Industry expectations suggest major recognition ahead. The film already received multiple early award nominations. One Battle After Another earned 8 nominations from the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. It led all contenders in that category including Best Picture consideration.
Oscar predictions favor the film heavily. Leonardo DiCaprio ranks among frontrunners for Best Actor nomination at the 2026 Academy Awards. A nomination would mark his seventh acting nomination overall. He won his only Oscar in 2016 for The Revenant.
The film competes against Hamnet, Sinners, and It Was Just an Accident as top Best Picture contenders. Industry insiders predict the film could receive nominations across multiple categories including directing, cinematography, and technical achievements.
What This Milestone Means for Anderson’s Legacy
Paul Thomas Anderson established himself as one of cinema’s most distinctive voices. His previous work earned critical acclaim but remained primarily for adult audiences and film enthusiasts. One Battle After Another changed this equation entirely.
The $200 million worldwide gross demonstrates that audiences worldwide embrace challenging, original filmmaking. Studios often argue that audiences only want sequels and franchises. This film directly contradicts that assumption.
Anderson’s achievement places him among elite contemporary filmmakers. The combination of critical success, audience reception, and commercial performance is rare. Few directors achieve this triple crown outside the blockbuster realm.
Will Anderson’s future films attempt to replicate this commercial success, or maintain his artistic vision regardless of box office returns? His filmmaking philosophy earned this milestone without compromise to his creative vision.
Sources
- Rotten Tomatoes – Critical and audience review scores
- Wikipedia/One Battle After Another – Box office figures and release information
- Variety – 2026 Oscar predictions and award nominations
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.