All 10 Paul Thomas Anderson Movies, Ranked by IMDb
Paul Thomas Anderson is back. After a four-year break, his latest mind-blowing movie, One Battle After Another, hit the theatrical circuit and immediately made a huge splash. Although not proving particularly financially fruitful, the response from both critics and audiences has been astounding, with Collider’s Ross Bonaime calling it in his review, “a masterfully crafted work that speaks to our present as a defining work of what it was like to live in our present era.”
If the success of One Battle After Another has encouraged anything — apart from the acceleration of revolution — it’s for audiences to remind themselves of the rest of Anderson’s genius filmography. For most directors, the release of a film like One Battle After Another would universally be agreed as their undeniable masterpiece, but Paul Thomas Anderson has several masterpieces to choose from. So, with all that in mind, here’s a look at every Paul Thomas Anderson movie, ranked by IMDb.
10
‘Inherent Vice’ (2014)
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
Even the greatest directors can find mixed reception. For Anderson, his most discordant film (although one that’s still worthy of plenty of praise) is the crime comedy Inherent Vice. Based on Thomas Pynchon’s eponymous 2009 novel, the film follows an easygoing private eye (Joaquin Phoenix) who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a former girlfriend.
Sporting a terrific central performance from Phoenix and some typical Anderson directing magic, as part of most other directors’ filmographies, Inherent Vice would be a fair standout. However, when overshadowed by one of the finest catalogs in cinema, Inherent Vice‘s flaws are more pronounced. Sadly, the film was a failure at the 2014 box office, although it still earned a pair of Academy Award nominations.
9
‘Hard Eight’ (1996)
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Anderson’s debut was a wonderful peek at the greatness to come. 1996’s Hard Eight follows the down-on-his-luck John Finnegan (John C. Reilly), who is recruited and mentored by Philip Baker Hall‘s veteran gambler, Sydney. As success starts to grow, the interruption of an unlikely romance with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) threatens to ruin their luck.
As a new filmmaker, Anderson was, of course, limited in terms of resources. However, despite featuring a smaller scope than most of his other movies, Hard Eight still shines thanks to the director’s clear genius. Featuring stunning performances led by Baker Hall at his very best, Hard Eight is possibly the most underrated entry in Anderson’s filmography.
8
‘Licorice Pizza’ (2021)
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Before One Battle After Another, Anderson’s latest film was one of his more divisive. Starring Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza follows 15-year-old Gary Valentine (Hoffman) as he falls head over heels with 25-year-old Alana Kane (Haim). As an unlikely romance simmers in PTA’s hometown of the San Fernando Valley, will the pair overcome strange challenges and let love blossom?
Narratively, Licorice Pizza found controversy for its depiction of a central will-they/won’t-they romance between a 15-year-old and a 25-year-old. However, Anderson’s ability to carve a tenderness between the pair without necessarily crossing any obvious boundaries led to Licorice Pizza becoming a favorite of many 2021 theatergoers. The film was also a hit with critics, even earning an impressive three Academy Award nominations.
7
‘The Master’ (2012)
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Two years before Inherent Vice, Anderson and Phoenix teamed up on this brilliant period drama. The Master follows Phoenix’s World War II veteran Freddie, who, after arriving home shaken by the war, is uncertain of his future. A vulnerable mind looking for a path, Freddie falls under the spell of the charismatic cult leader Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman).
As most of Anderson’s movies are, The Master is the perfect canvas for its brilliant lead performers, and boy, do they shine. Phoenix and Hoffman are masters of their craft, with each emotional and dramatic beat of The Master utterly encapsulating. Earning three Academy Award nominations, including performance nods for Phoenix, Hoffman, and Amy Adams, The Master is worthy of its enormous praise.
6
‘Punch-Drunk Love’ (2002)
IMDb Score: 7.3/10
Today, the questions surrounding Adam Sandler’s acting ability have been well and truly silenced thanks to the SNL alum’s leading role in Uncut Gems. Back in 2002, this wasn’t the case, with Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love showcasing the comic like most had never seen him before. The film follows Sandler’s businessman Barry, who ends up in a spiraling world of chaos after calling a phone-sex line.
What begins as an unusual and highly creative blend of comedy and drama gives audiences the surprise of their lives in Punch-Drunk Love, as a striking emotional core suddenly emerges and consumes all. Anderson’s Sandler-shaped risk pays off in extraordinary fashion, with the actor earning a Golden Globe nomination for his pitch-perfect portrayal of the unforgettable Barry.
5
‘Phantom Thread’ (2017)
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
The pairing of Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis is cinematic magic. Ten years after they stunned global audiences with There Will Be Blood (more on that later), the duo were back with Phantom Thread. The movie stars Day-Lewis as a London dressmaker, Reynolds Woodcock, whose particular life is shocked and interrupted by a willful young waitress, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who becomes his muse.
An Academy Awards darling that won just a singular golden statue for achievement in costume design (apt considering the protagonist’s occupation), Phantom Thread is a masterful, artistic film that takes time to soak up each expertly crafted moment. Despite its prestigious subject matter, Phantom Thread avoids any pretentiousness with a tale that is ultimately heartachingly relatable.
4
‘Boogie Nights’ (1997)
IMDb Score: 7.9/10
To many, this is Anderson’s best film. Starring Mark Wahlberg in perhaps his greatest role to date and based on Anderson’s own 1988 mockumentary short film The Dirk Diggler Story, Boogie Nights follows Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), an idealistic porn producer during the 1970s Golden Age of Porn, as he discovers a hot young talent that could take him to the next level.
Of all of Anderson’s many great ensembles, Boogie Nights might just be the best. From Reynolds and Wahlberg to Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, and Heather Graham, each brilliant performance perfectly complements the next as chaos and heart combine for an unforgettable viewing experience. For any budding Anderson fan, this is the most must-see entry into his filmography.
3
‘Magnolia’ (1999)
IMDb Score: 8.0/10
Set in the San Fernando Valley like the aforementioned Licorice Pizza, Magnolia is an anthology tale that depicts a selection of interconnected storylines following different characters in one place on the same day. It’s one that must be seen to be truly understood.
Of all his incredible performances across a long and studied career, Magnolia might be Tom Cruise‘s best. As Anderson so often does, he takes a well-renowned actor and finds the detail in their talent, with Cruise dazzling as Frank T.J. Mackey and even earning an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for his trouble. Add to this a selection of other fine performances and a memorable, intelligently woven story, and a recipe for cinematic genius is born.
2
‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)
IMDb Score: 8.2/10
Until just a few weeks ago, this was Anderson’s most astonishing piece of cinema. Starring Day-Lewis as miner-turned-oilman Daniel Plainview, There Will Be Blood is a turn-of-the-century epic about greed and power as the chance to harness the California oil boom arises.
Considered by many to be one of the greatest movies of this century, There Will Be Blood is nothing short of a masterpiece. From Day-Lewis’s career-best performance to Robert Elswit’s captivating cinematography, each finely-woven thread of this genius period drama will leave any potential viewer floored. At the Academy Awards, the movie earned an incredible eight nominations, winning just two and somehow seeing Anderson miss out on the Best Director trophy.
1
‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)
IMDb Score: 8.3/10
Anderson’s latest, at the time of writing, is his best according to IMDb users. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a former revolutionary-turned drug addict, Bob, who now lives in hiding with his daughter (Chase Infiniti). After their past suddenly crashes back into their lives and his daughter is taken, it is up to Bob to follow the once-meticulously planned steps to find safety. The only problem is he can’t really remember all of them.
A poignant, hilarious, shocking epic that feels powerfully relevant to a 2025 audience, One Battle After Another is the year’s defining film. Although the next Oscar ceremony is still several months away, this is surely Anderson’s best chance at finally winning that elusive Best Director trophy, and there could certainly be no complaints. A compelling, laugh-out-loud masterpiece that will move you to tears and call you to arms, there is nothing else quite like One Battle After Another.
- Release Date
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September 26, 2025
- Runtime
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162 minutes
- Director
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Paul Thomas Anderson
- Writers
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Paul Thomas Anderson, Thomas Pynchon
- Producers
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Adam Somner
