'One Battle After Another' Sweeps National Society Awards, Bolstering Oscar Season Momentum
New York, Monday, 5 January 2026.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama secured four major wins, including Best Picture, solidifying the $205 million grosser’s status as a commercial and critical frontrunner ahead of the Academy Awards.
A Decisive Victory in the Critics’ Circuit
On Saturday, January 3, the National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) convened for their 60th annual voting meeting, delivering a verdict that places One Battle After Another firmly at the head of the awards pack [7]. The film’s dominance was statistically significant under the society’s weighted ballot system; it secured Best Picture with 57 points, nearly double the score of its closest competitor, Sinners, which garnered 29 points [2][4]. This critical consensus extended to the production’s creative leadership and cast, with Paul Thomas Anderson securing Best Director (54 points), while Benicio del Toro and Teyana Taylor swept the supporting acting categories with 54 and 56 points, respectively [2][4].
Critical Acclaim Meets Commercial Success
While critics’ groups often diverge from populist choices, the NSFC’s selection aligns with significant commercial performance this season. One Battle After Another has already generated over $205 million in global box office receipts, a substantial figure for an adventure drama positioned for prestige accolades [7]. This intersection of critical praise and financial viability suggests a robust path toward the Academy Awards. In the current entertainment landscape, such early award season dominance is crucial for extending theatrical runs and maximizing value during subsequent licensing windows.
A Diverse Field of Competitors
Despite the overwhelming success of Anderson’s film, the society recognized other key players shaping the 2025 film landscape. Ethan Hawke claimed Best Actor for his role in Blue Moon with 57 points, edging out fierce competition, while Kathleen Chalfant secured Best Actress for her performance in Familiar Touch [2][4]. In the technical arena, the horror hit Sinners—which finished as a runner-up for Best Picture—earned Autumn Durald Arkapaw the Best Cinematography award [2][3]. International cinema also featured prominently, with The Secret Agent winning Best Film Not in the English Language and Jafar Panahi’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, It Was Just an Accident, taking the prize for Best Screenplay [1][3][7].
Thematic Resonance and Heritage Honors
Justin Chang, chair of the NSFC, noted that the selections reflected an “especially resonant” year for films centering on “revolution and solidarity,” highlighting the thematic weight carrying these productions into the broader awards conversation [1]. The society, comprised of over 60 prominent critics from across the United States, also bestowed Film Heritage Awards upon Cinema Tropical, The Film Desk, and the late Ken and Flo Jacobs for their enduring contributions to film culture and distribution [4][7].