Leonardo DiCaprio has long been a staple of Hollywood’s awards season, a familiar name in speculation and headlines alike. Yet, with One Battle After Another, the energy feels entirely new. The film appears to have struck a chord with audiences even before its release, climbing to sky-high ratings and sparking conversations that extend far beyond its star. The film is not just another DiCaprio moment; it looks set to be a cinematic phenomenon, one that has everyone talking.

Following its initial screenings earlier this month, One Battle After Another has dazzled critics, earning an impressive 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98% score on Metacritic. With such a strong critical reception, the film is quickly gaining traction as a frontrunner in the upcoming awards season, with fans especially taking to X to call for Academy recognition, fueling the buzz that not only Leonardo DiCaprio but the film’s additional forces could also be top Oscars contenders next year.

One Battle After Another, notably, is set for a wider release on September 26, 2025. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film stars the Titanic fame alongside Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and introduces Chase Infiniti. Loosely based on Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, it follows former revolutionaries reuniting to rescue one of their own's daughter amid societal unrest. With a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes, the film will be Anderson's first to be released in IMAX.

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Fans cannot keep calm following One Battle After Another's early reviews going live, with many labeling the film a rightful top-category sweeper at the 2026 Oscars.

One Battle After Another is quickly being called a must-watch movie of the year, with fans excitedly naming it a strong contender for the 2026 Oscars. Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance and Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction have everyone talking, creating real buzz online and among critics. With its glowing reviews and sky-high ratings, the film is capturing attention in a way few others did during any awards season, making both DiCaprio and Anderson feel like frontrunners in Hollywood’s next Oscar conversation.

Not all the buzz on X was positive, though, as some expressed skepticism about the two aforementioned review aggregators giving the film such unbiased ratings. Some even discussed how Leonardo DiCaprio, the ultimate denouncer of method acting, at this point, appears to only make films with an Oscar shot in mind.

Whether adored or debated, One Battle After Another has undeniably captured Hollywood’s attention. As audiences prepare to flock to theaters and critics to weigh in with more intensity following the film’s release, the film’s impact on awards season feels undeniable. For DiCaprio, Paul Thomas Anderson, and the ensemble, this moment marks more than just another release. It is a cultural touchstone, a cinematic event that has everyone talking, and a reminder of why some films become impossible to ignore.

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Do you think One Battle After Another will score an Oscar this coming edition of the Film Academy Awards? Let us know in the comments.