One of the most anticipated films of 2025, One Battle After Another hit the US theatres on September 26. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, and Benicio Del Toro, the movie grossed $22.4 million in its U.S. opening weekend, debuting at No. 1 at the box office. Internationally, it earned $26.1 million, bringing its worldwide total to $48.5 million.
Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, the film tells the story of a revolutionary group called French 75. Considered one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s most political works to date, it directly engages with the ideology and practices of the United States under the shadow of Donald Trump.
Addressing themes such as immigration policies, racism, fascism, and white supremacist culture, One Battle After Another has also received strong audience scores. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 96% critic score, while audiences awarded it an “A” on CinemaScore. The film also launched on IMDb with a rating of 8.5.
At the same time, One Battle After Another ranks among Anderson’s most expensive productions, with a reported budget exceeding $130 million. For the film to be profitable, it will need to surpass $300 million at the global box office. Still, given the positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth, long-term success seems likely. The film was also shot in VistaVision, a format once used by legends like Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford, adding striking visuals and a unique depth.
