The 98th Academy Awards crowned One Battle After Another as the year’s most celebrated film, awarding the political drama six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. The ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles confirmed what many critics had predicted throughout the awards season: the film had already established itself as one of the most acclaimed productions of the year.

Before its Oscar triumph, One Battle After Another had already dominated the international film awards circuit. The film won Best Film from the National Board of Review and also swept several top critics’ prizes, including recognition from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics, where it received awards for both Best Picture and Best Director.

Its momentum continued across the global awards landscape. The film was named Film of the Year by the London Film Critics’ Circle and won Best Film at the AACTA International Awards, reinforcing its reputation as a major contender months before the Oscars ceremony.

Industry analysts noted that the film achieved a rare sweep among major critics’ groups. It joined a small group of films that won top prizes from the National Board of Review, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle, and National Society of Film Critics, a distinction previously achieved by landmark films such as Schindler’s List and The Social Network.

Directed by Anderson and loosely inspired by the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, the film tells the story of a former revolutionary confronting political and social tensions in contemporary America. The film features a high-profile cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro and Regina Hall, whose performances were widely praised throughout the awards circuit.

The film’s consistent victories across critics’ awards, guild honors and international ceremonies positioned it as a clear frontrunner long before Oscar night. By the time the Academy Awards arrived, One Battle After Another had already built a narrative of inevitability, culminating in its historic sweep at Hollywood’s most prestigious ceremony.