October 3, 2025 | by ltcinsuranceshopper
Easily one of the most renowned filmmakers in the world today, Paul Thomas Anderson has been mesmerizing audiences for nearly 40 years with his gripping, thematically complex movies. The acclaimed writer-director has earned numerous accolades over the course of his career, and he even holds a record as the only person to have won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival, the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and the Silver and Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. His latest film, One Battle After Another, has proven to be yet another triumph in a storied career.
Anderson has helmed 10 feature films so far, starting with his 1996 debut, Hard Eight, and to be honest, the director has never actually had a bad movie. All of the auteur filmmaker’s movies have invariably earned acclaim from critics and fans, though some have been praised a little more than others. Read on for a detailed exploration of every Paul Thomas Anderson movie so far, ranked according to their scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s eponymous 2009 novel, Inherent Vice is a neo-noir black comedy crime film set in 1970s Los Angeles. Joaquin Phoenix stars as stoner private eye Larry “Doc” Sportello, who finds himself investigating three separate cases all linked to an ex-girlfriend with mysterious motivations (Katherine Waterston) and her rich new boyfriend (Eric Roberts). Besides Phoenix, the movie’s ensemble cast also includes Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio del Toro, Jena Malone, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, and Joanna Newsom.
Anderson’s first time directly adapting a Pynchon novel, Inherent Vice is an entertaining noir movie with a fascinating psychedelic sense of humor. The movie premiered at the 2014 New York Film Festival, earning praise for its performances, production values, and writing. Though it was a box office flop, the film received multiple accolades and was named one of the 10 best films of the year by the National Board of Review.
An absurdist romantic comedy drama, Punch-Drunk Love stars Adam Sandler as Barry Egan, an entrepreneur who falls in love with his sister’s co-worker, played by Emily Watson. Unfortunately, his social anxiety and rage issues make it hard for Barry to navigate this budding relationship, especially after he’s targeted by an extortionist phone sex operator. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Luis Guzmán, and more appear in supporting roles.
Punch-Drunk Love was a box-office disappointment when it first hit theaters in 2002, but it earned highly favorable reviews from critics, and since then, it has evolved into a cult classic. Arguably one of the best movies of Adam Sandler’s career, the film was a turning point for the actor, proving that his acting in dramatic and offbeat roles is just as good as (if not better than) his comedic ones. The movie earned Sandler a Golden Globe nomination, and it was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, winning Anderson the festival’s Best Director award.
This 1996 crime film was Anderson’s feature directorial debut, and it’s an expansion of the writer-director’s 1993 short film Cigarettes & Coffee. Philip Baker Hall stars as senior gambler Sydney Brown, who takes a homeless man, John Finnegan (John C. Reilly), under his wing and teaches him the ins and outs of professional gambling. Things take a turn when John falls in love with cocktail waitress Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) and becomes friends with a man called Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson).
Hard Eight premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the American Spectrum section and was later screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. Anchored by Philip Baker Hall’s absorbing central performance, the movie is a grounded yet thrilling neo-noir story. The film may not be as epic or thematically rich as some of Anderson’s later movies, but it’s still a fascinating character piece brought to life by an amazingly talented cast.
A 1999 drama film, Magnolia follows the interconnected stories of 11 characters, each with their own struggles and idiosyncrasies. Chronicling their journeys over the course of three days in the San Fernando Valley, the movie explores the dynamics that connect these characters as they try to find happiness and resolution. The film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Jeremy Blackman, Tom Cruise, Melinda Dillon, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ricky Jay, William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Melora Walters, and Jason Robards in his final film role.
Magnolia isn’t just a great movie; it’s a work of art that takes a cast of everyday characters and subjects them (and the audience) to a transcendental experience. Though its box office haul was quite modest, the film earned critical acclaim and is widely regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time. Magnolia went on to receive several accolades, winning Tom Cruise a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and bagging him an Oscar nomination in the same category.
A psychological period drama, The Master stars Joaquin Phoenix as Freddie Quell, a World War II Navy veteran who’s struggling to adjust to civilian life. An unexpected encounter with cult leader Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) leads to a transformative experience. Freddie joins Dodd’s cause, but his erratic behavior creates conflicts between master and disciple. Besides Phoenix and Hoffman, the movie also stars Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Ambyr Childers, Rami Malek, Jesse Plemons, and more.
The Master earned universal acclaim when it had its official premiere at the 2012 Venice Film Festival, winning three awards at the event: the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film, the Silver Lion for Best Direction, and the Volpi Cup for Best Actor (shared by Phoenix and Hoffman). A complex psychological exploration bolstered by its amazing performances, writing, and direction, The Master is widely regarded as one of Anderson’s best movies and one of the most underrated performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s career. It’s a technically impressive and thematically deep movie that draws on numerous real-life inspirations and lends itself to multiple interpretations.
A coming-of-age comedy-drama set in the 1970s, Licorice Pizza stars Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman in their film debuts. The movie follows 15-year-old Gary Valentine (Hoffman) and 25-year-old Alana Kane (Haim) as they navigate life and love in the San Fernando Valley. The film boasts an ensemble supporting cast that includes Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, and Benny Safdie, among others.
Licorice Pizza premiered in theaters in 2021, underperforming at the box office but earning highly positive reviews from critics and audiences. Easily one of the best movies of the early 2020s, the film features endearing performances, especially by its two leads, and presents an enjoyably warm and nostalgic story that won praise. Though it did generate some controversy because of the age gap between its leads and some scenes that were perceived as racially offensive, the film went on to receive several accolades, including three Academy Award nominations, four Golden Globe nominations, and a BAFTA win for Best Original Screenplay.
A romantic period drama set in 1950s London, Phantom Thread was Anderson’s first film shot outside the United States. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Reynolds Woodcock, a high society fashion designer with an obsessive, troubled personality who falls for willful young waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps). Lesley Manville stars alongside the two leads as Reynolds’ sister, Cyril, and the movie also features Camilla Rutherford, Brian Gleeson, Harriet Sansom Harris, and more in supporting roles.
Like many of the Anderson’s movies, Phantom Thread premiered to a middling box office run and overwhelming critical acclaim. A gorgeous costume drama with lots of psychological exploration and complex interpersonal dynamics, the film has been praised by critics and fans alike for its performances, writing, direction, music, costumes, and production values. Widely regarded as one of the best films of the 2010s, the movie earned numerous accolades, including six Academy Award nominations, and was named one of the top 10 films of 2017 by the National Board of Review.
Loosely based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil!, There Will Be Blood is an epic period drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis as miner-turned-oilman Daniel Plainview. The film follows his ruthless quest for wealth and power during the California oil boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Besides Day-Lewis, the movie also features Paul Dano, Kevin J. O’Connor, Ciarán Hinds, Dillon Freasier, and more in supporting roles.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, There Will Be Blood premiered at the 2007 Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, earning critical acclaim for its direction, cinematography, performances, and the music by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood. The film was also a box office success, blowing audiences around the world away with its sweeping, character-driven story. The movie earned eight Academy Award nominations, among other accolades, and had the rare honor of being named one of the top 10 films of the year by the National Board of Review, the American Film Institute, and the National Society of Film Critics.
An expansion of Anderson’s 1988 mockumentary short film The Dirk Diggler Story, Boogie Nights is arguably the director’s most iconic film. Starring Mark Wahlberg in the lead, the film follows a young dishwasher who becomes a successful porn star during the 1970s Golden Age of Porn, only to lose it all to drugs and excess. Besides Wahlberg, the movie also stars Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, and Heather Graham in key roles.
Boogie Nights premiered to critical acclaim at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival and had a very successful run at the box office. Often hailed as one of the best films of the 1990s, the movie is as extravagant, groundbreaking, and surprisingly charming in its satirization. The movie went on to receive three Academy Award nominations, two BAFTA nominations, and two Golden Globe nominations, including a win for Reynolds in the Best Supporting Actor category.
Anderson’s latest film, One Battle After Another, is also his highest-rated movie yet. Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, this 2025 film is a dark comedy action thriller that follows the story of a washed-up former revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) who tries to rescue his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from the corrupt colonel (Sean Penn) who brought down his group, the French 75. Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor star in key supporting roles.
One Battle After Another had its world premiere on September 8, 2025, and was released in theaters on September 26, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences. A wild action-adventure with a thematically rich story, compelling performances, and brilliantly crafted set pieces, the film may just be Anderson’s most entertaining movie yet. The film debuted at the top of the box office, delivering the biggest opening weekend of Anderson’s career, and has already generated significant awards buzz.
September 26, 2025
162 minutes
Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson, Thomas Pynchon
Adam Somner
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