The 2026 Oscars named the very best director amongst a bunch of extremely regarded nominees.
Paul Thomas Anderson in the end received the Greatest Directing class for One Battle After One other through the Sunday, March 15, awards present on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
“You make a man work arduous for one among these,” Anderson, 55, quipped at the start of his speech. “I actually recognize it.”
Anderson, who had beforehand been nominated for 3 greatest director Oscars however by no means received, went on to acknowledge his fellow nominees earlier than joking that he was nonetheless glad to lastly earn the consideration.
The 2026 Oscars pink carpet was as glamorous as ever. Thank You! You may have efficiently subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your e mail Please enter a sound e mail. Subscribe By signing up, I comply with the Phrases and Privateness Coverage and to obtain emails from Us Weekly Deal of the Day Taylor Swift’s Actual Kendra Scott (…)
“I couldn’t ask for a greater class. It’s an honor to be counted amongst you guys,” he mentioned. “There’ll all the time be some doubt in your coronary heart that you simply deserve it, however there isn’t a query on the pleasure of getting it for myself.”
The trophy marked Anderson’s second huge win of the night following his victory within the Greatest Writing (Tailored Screenplay) class.
The opposite nominees within the Greatest Directing class had been Chloe Zhao for Hamnet, Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Joachim Trier for Sentimental Worth and Ryan Coogler for Sinners.
Among the many contenders, Safdie, 41, procured probably the most 2026 Oscar nominations throughout classes, with a complete of 4 nods together with Greatest Image, Greatest Writing (Unique Screenplay) and Greatest Movie Modifying.
Because the 2026 awards season continues, this yr’s Oscars contenders are basking within the glow of their nominations. Nominations had been formally introduced for the 98th annual Academy Awards on Thursday, January 22, introducing the primary new class in additional than 20 years. This yr, the Oscars will honor achievements in casting, with plans for one more (…)
Anderson and Coogler, 39, trailed intently behind with three every. Each had been nominated for Greatest Image, whereas Anderson was up for Greatest Writing (Tailored Screenplay), and Coogler was within the working for Greatest Writing (Unique Screenplay).
As for Zhao, 43, and Trier, 52, they every obtained two complete nods. Her further nomination was for Greatest Writing (Tailored Screenplay), whereas his was for Greatest Writing (Unique Screenplay).
Of the Greatest Director nominees, Zhao was the one Oscar winner previous to the 2026 awards present. She beforehand received two Academy Awards for Nomadland in 2021: Greatest Image and Greatest Director. All through her profession, she has obtained a complete of six Oscar nods.
Over time, Anderson has amassed 14 Academy Award nominations, Coogler has racked up 5 and Trier has earned three.
Safdie, for his half, is a first-time Oscar nominee this yr.
The Academy Awards are alleged to be the top of the film business, however not each Hollywood famous person desires of successful an Oscar. Katharine Hepburn holds the all-time report for many appearing wins on the Oscars, having obtained the Greatest Actress trophy 4 instances. Nevertheless, the Hollywood icon by no means as soon as confirmed as much as accumulate her (…)
Throughout the 2026 awards season, Anderson received the directing classes at a number of main occasions. On the Golden Globes in January, he defeated Zhao, Trier, Coogler, Frankenstein’s Guillermo del Toro and It Was Simply an Accident’s Jafar Panahi for Greatest Director – Movement Image.
“You guys are being so beneficiant with this affection for me and this movie, and I’ll take it with the love that it’s given and the appreciation,” Anderson mentioned in his acceptance speech on the time. “I like doing what I do, so that is simply enjoyable.”
Anderson went on to thank his late collaborator Adam Somnerwho died from most cancers in November 2024 at age 57. He lamented Somner’s “unlucky title” as assistant director on One Battle After One otherexplaining that he had “the very best one” within the enterprise who contributed way more to their movie than his designation prompt.
“It’s underselling it what he did for me and for us and for this movie,” he continued. “He’s why I’m standing right here. He’s what made making this a lot enjoyable. I feel it helped make you all appear to take pleasure in it the best way that you’ve got.”
Elsewhere throughout awards season, Anderson earned Greatest Director on the Critics Selection Awards over Coogler, del Toro, Safdie, Trier and Zhao and secured Greatest Director on the BAFTA Awards towards Zhao, Safdie, Trier, Coogler and Bugonia’s Yorgos Lanthimos.