Which film won Paul Thomas Anderson the 2026 Critics Choice Award for Best Director?
Answer
One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another won Paul Thomas Anderson the 2026 Critics Choice Award for Best Director.
The award recognized Anderson’s direction of the action thriller, which also won Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 31st Critics Choice Awards. The ceremony honored films released during 2025 and took place on January 4, 2026, in Santa Monica.
Anderson wrote and directed the film, making its directing victory distinct from its screenplay awards. A common mix-up is confusing the Best Director winner with Ryan Coogler, whose Sinners won Best Original Screenplay. Anderson’s film also led several major categories despite not winning either lead acting prize.
The title refers to the film itself rather than the director. Anderson had previously directed films including Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, and Phantom Thread, making this victory part of a long career in American cinema.