One Battle After Another dominate Oscars 2026 with six awards, including Best Picture win; all you need to know about its cast, plot, budget, and streaming platform

One Battle After Another dominated the 98th Academy Awards, winning the Best Picture trophy and collecting a total of six Oscars in a landmark night for director Paul Thomas Anderson.

The dark comedy action thriller, which entered the ceremony with 13 nominations, the second-highest tally behind Sinners with 16, had long been considered a frontrunner in the category.

The film ultimately triumphed over a competitive slate that included Hamnet, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, F1, Bugonia, Train Dreams, The Secret Agent and Sentimental Value.

Cast and plot

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti, the film follows a former revolutionary attempting to live quietly with his daughter while haunted by the consequences of his past.

When an old adversary resurfaces, the story unfolds into a tense chase that forces him to confront long-buried mistakes.

Budget

According to BBC website, the film’s budget is roughly $130 million.

The film was released on 26th September, 2025 with a running time of 2 hours and 42 minutes.

Where to stream

One Battle After Another is currently available to stream on HBO Max.

The Best Picture win marked a major milestone for Anderson, whose acclaimed filmography includes There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread. Despite multiple nominations over the years, the victory represents one of the most significant recognitions of his career from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Accepting the award on stage, Anderson reflected on the spirit of filmmaking rather than competition. Referencing the 1975 Oscars lineup that included Barry Lyndon, Dog Day Afternoon, Jaws, Nashville, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, he said there is often “no best among them, just a mood that day.”

"We're just happy to be part of this. So many great films this year."

He also joked about forgetting to thank his cast earlier in the evening after winning Best Director, prompting laughter from the crowd.

As the celebration unfolded on stage, Anderson summed up the moment simply: “What a night. Let’s have a martini.”