BAFTA 2026: Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another Wins Best Film, Oscar Buzz Intensifies
Reuters
Awards season momentum continued for One Battle After Another after the film secured the Best Film honour at the 79th British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards. The project, headlined by Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home six awards including Best Director.
The BAFTA victory adds significant weight to the film’s Oscar campaign, positioning it as a leading contender across major categories.
Loosely inspired by Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, the thriller follows a group of former revolutionaries who reunite after 16 years when a past adversary resurfaces. DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, while Regina Hall co-stars as Deandra.
Written and directed by Anderson, the film features an ensemble supporting cast including Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor and Sean Penn. The narrative blends political drama with character-driven storytelling, a style closely associated with Anderson’s filmmaking.
The film’s BAFTA recognition builds on an already strong awards trajectory, with major wins at the Critics’ Choice Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, Golden Globes and Gotham Awards across late 2025 and early 2026.
Earlier in the evening, Anderson collected Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, cementing his creative influence on the project. During his acceptance speech, the filmmaker paid tribute to late producer and assistant director Adam Somner, reflecting on his long professional partnership and the impact Somner had on the production.
The emotional tribute resonated across the ceremony, highlighting the collaborative nature of large-scale filmmaking and the personal stories often behind award-winning projects.
The BAFTA ceremony, streamed on Lionsgate Play, showcased a competitive awards landscape, but One Battle After Another’s multiple wins reinforced its frontrunner status heading into the Academy Awards.
Industry analysts note that consistent victories across guild and critics’ awards often translate into strong Oscar outcomes, particularly in Best Film and directing categories.
With BAFTA momentum behind it, One Battle After Another is now widely viewed as a leading Oscar contender. The film’s ensemble cast, political themes and Anderson’s direction align with Academy preferences for prestige storytelling.
For DiCaprio, the project marks another high-profile performance in a career defined by awards recognition and critically acclaimed collaborations. Continued festival screenings and promotional appearances are expected to sustain audience interest ahead of the Oscars.
The film’s success also highlights a broader trend toward ambitious ensemble dramas that blend political commentary with character-focused narratives — a formula increasingly rewarded during awards season.
One Battle After Another’s Best Film win at BAFTA 2026 strengthens its position as one of the year’s most influential releases. As awards season approaches its final phase, the film’s sustained recognition suggests it could play a defining role at the Oscars.
Our Final Thoughts
The success of One Battle After Another illustrates how consistent recognition across major awards can shape a film’s cultural and industry impact. Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction, combined with Leonardo DiCaprio’s star power and a strong ensemble, has created a project that balances artistic ambition with mainstream visibility. The film’s political themes and character depth reflect a continuing shift toward narratives that engage with contemporary anxieties while maintaining cinematic scale. Anderson’s tribute to Adam Somner also reminded audiences that awards moments often carry deeply personal significance behind the spectacle. With momentum building across ceremonies, the film now enters the Oscar race with strong credibility. Whether it secures the top prize or not, its awards journey has already positioned it among the defining films of the year.