Why One Battle After Another deserves to win the war for best picture at the 2026 Oscars

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Being called the recipient of an “Career Oscar” isn’t always a compliment. These awards come in two forms, and both can feel a little uncomfortable. One is an honorary award given to those who’ve never won an Oscar before. The other is a competitive award given to well-known actors or directors, seemingly as recognition for their entire career rather than the specific film they’re nominated for that year. Famous examples of honorary winners include Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin, Debbie Reynolds, and Peter O’Toole. Martin Scorsese, Paul Newman, Al Pacino, and Henry Fonda are examples of those who won competitive Oscars that didn’t necessarily represent their best work.

The Academy has a chance to avoid repeating past mistakes this year by awarding Paul Thomas Anderson the Best Picture Oscar. His latest film, One Battle After Another, is an exceptional opportunity for voters to recognize a truly acclaimed director and correct the oversight of not having previously honored him with their top prize.

The writer and director from California has evolved significantly since his early success with the 1997 film Boogie Nights, a drama set in the adult film industry. That film earned him his first Oscar nomination, and he’s been a regular contender ever since – eight of his ten movies have received nominations in various categories.

Wes Anderson’s movies have earned a total of 41 award nominations, winning 3 times for performances, visual style, and costume design. Despite directing acclaimed films like There Will Be Blood, The Master, Phantom Thread, and Licorice Pizza, Anderson himself has been nominated for awards 14 times but hasn’t won any.

It wouldn’t be right for films like ‘Sinners’ and ‘Hamnet’ to lose to ‘One Battle’ simply because Wes Anderson’s earlier work was overlooked. That kind of thinking is often why the Academy Awards get it wrong. Instead, ‘One Battle’ is winning because it’s a truly exceptional film on its own merits. Just like with ‘Oppenheimer’ a couple of years ago, it’s a happy coincidence for the Academy that the award is going to a talented director who hasn’t previously been fully recognized.

One Battle stands out because of its skillful execution. Released in September to almost universal acclaim, including a glowing review from us, the movie is a loose take on Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland. It centers on Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man living off the grid, and his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti), as they’re pursued by a relentless army colonel (Sean Penn) with a past connection to Bob and his involvement in a radical political group. The film cleverly blends genres – it’s a political thriller, a touching story about a father and daughter, a surprisingly funny comedy, and a fast-paced action movie all rolled into one.

Despite being a funny movie, Anderson’s script surprisingly tackles serious issues, especially considering Warner Bros. spent over $100 million to make it. The film mixes silly scenes – like a chaotic search for a phone charger – with more intense moments, such as a protest turning violent. It even features an impressive car chase reminiscent of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road,’ introduced with a joke about Tom Cruise, and includes a group of white supremacists with a darkly humorous name: The Christmas Adventurers Club.

It’s commendable that this film delivers social commentary in such an enjoyable way. Unlike some overly critical works, it proves that meaningful messages don’t have to sacrifice entertainment. Director Anderson once explained he quit film school after a teacher discouraged students from pursuing ambitious, blockbuster-style projects. This film’s resilient villain, much like Sean Penn’s character, is a defiant response to that kind of artistic snobbery, and the Academy should recognize that spirit.

Anderson is widely expected to win the best director award this year, but recently, that award has often felt like a way to recognize talented filmmakers whose movies weren’t considered mainstream enough to win best picture. Past winners like Jane Campion (for The Power of the Dog) and Alfonso Cuarón (for Roma) experienced this same pattern.

As of now, “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” are the clear frontrunners for the Best Picture Oscar, with “Sinners” being the only other nominee with a similar level of public recognition. While Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film would stand out as something different in the history of Best Picture winners, some believe an Oscar win might actually hinder its reputation. “Sinners” thrives on being a horror film, embracing its B-movie roots. Winning with a record 16 nominations could lead to debate about whether it truly belongs among more traditional, critically acclaimed dramas – a category Coogler’s film doesn’t even try to fit into.

While ‘One Battle After Another’ would be a perfectly acceptable winner, it’s just as exciting. A powerful film about fighting back would be a bold and relevant choice – exactly the kind of film the Academy should recognize at a time when America feels so unstable.

Authors

Max CopemanApp Editor

I’m a big fan of Max Copeman, our App Editor! He’s the one who makes sure our mobile app, with all its film and TV recommendations and watchlists, is running smoothly. He’s been with the team since 2021, and honestly, you can usually find him happily chatting away about movies or football – he’s a really passionate guy!

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2026-03-12 21:06