What Are the Best Paul Thomas Anderson Movies?

Paul Thomas Anderson is a director whose name is synonymous with cinematic mastery. Over the years, he has consistently delivered films that are as visually stunning as they are emotionally resonant. They drive cinema lovers to the theater to sit in awe and to see great art. I truly do not think he's made a bad movie, and I feel lucky to be alive at a time when I get to watch them as they debut. His next film, One Battle After Another, will be released in 2025. Check out the trailer for it below, and then let's dive into his other movies and talk about what makes them special. 1. There Will Be BloodI'm not sure I'm equipped to talk about how deep, beautiful, and just emotional this movie can be. It's about oil and family and greed and America. The performances here are stunning and nuanced. It takes craft to a whole new level and looks so amazing it's hard to watch it on anything but the big screen. 2. MagnoliaI have seen this movie over ten times, which is a feat, since it's over three hours long. I think this modern melodrama is so poetic, and it takes these characters you would never see in other movies and puts them all in one together, allowing you to steep in this world during a miraculous day. 3. Licorice PizzaI am a sucker for Hollywood doing Hollywood, and this movie about a young hustler trying to punch out of his league just to make a few bucks and live a good life hit me right in the feels. 4. Boogie NightsIt turns out, a life in porn is a pretty hard life. This movie takes all the fantasies you'd have about being in this world and slowly dashes them against the rocks over and over again. Beautifully crafted. 5. Punch Drunk LoveThis movie made me want to go to Hawaii, even though it's just a small aside in the film. I love how Anderson gets the most out of his actors. And how he portrays families on screen in all their messy glory. 6. Phantom ThreadEvery time I make dinner for my wife, I think about this movie. It just sort of lives in your subconscious and arises when you see mushrooms or it's New Year's Eve, or you have to order breakfast. 7. The MasterA character study that digs into religion and Scientology, I love how we breeze in and out of this world, like a ship sailing. And the intensity between Hoffman and Phoenix crackles on the screen. 8. Inherent ViceThis classic noir in the Wild Seventies is a movie that I was not sure I appreciated until I watched it a third time. There are parts that are just confusing and parts that are just so fun. Like a good book; you have to read between the lines. 9. Hard EightAnderson's first film takes you into the darker parts of the Las Vegas gambling scene. It has some noir tropes but really flourishes when showing us characters with deep flaws and deep anger. Summing Up The Best Paul Thomas Anderson MoviesPTA is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. I love all of his movies, and I have watched them at least three times, if not more, for my favorites. He seems cool, and I'd love to have a coffee with him. His work inspires and I'm just so happy we have him as a filmmaker. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 21, 2025 - 18:04

What Are the Best Paul Thomas Anderson Movies?

Paul Thomas Anderson is a director whose name is synonymous with cinematic mastery. Over the years, he has consistently delivered films that are as visually stunning as they are emotionally resonant.

They drive cinema lovers to the theater to sit in awe and to see great art.

I truly do not think he's made a bad movie, and I feel lucky to be alive at a time when I get to watch them as they debut.

His next film, One Battle After Another, will be released in 2025. Check out the trailer for it below, and then let's dive into his other movies and talk about what makes them special.

1. There Will Be Blood

I'm not sure I'm equipped to talk about how deep, beautiful, and just emotional this movie can be. It's about oil and family and greed and America. The performances here are stunning and nuanced. It takes craft to a whole new level and looks so amazing it's hard to watch it on anything but the big screen.

2. Magnolia

I have seen this movie over ten times, which is a feat, since it's over three hours long. I think this modern melodrama is so poetic, and it takes these characters you would never see in other movies and puts them all in one together, allowing you to steep in this world during a miraculous day.

3. Licorice Pizza

I am a sucker for Hollywood doing Hollywood, and this movie about a young hustler trying to punch out of his league just to make a few bucks and live a good life hit me right in the feels.

4. Boogie Nights

It turns out, a life in porn is a pretty hard life. This movie takes all the fantasies you'd have about being in this world and slowly dashes them against the rocks over and over again. Beautifully crafted.

5. Punch Drunk Love

This movie made me want to go to Hawaii, even though it's just a small aside in the film. I love how Anderson gets the most out of his actors. And how he portrays families on screen in all their messy glory.

6. Phantom Thread

Every time I make dinner for my wife, I think about this movie. It just sort of lives in your subconscious and arises when you see mushrooms or it's New Year's Eve, or you have to order breakfast.

7. The Master

A character study that digs into religion and Scientology, I love how we breeze in and out of this world, like a ship sailing. And the intensity between Hoffman and Phoenix crackles on the screen.

8. Inherent Vice

This classic noir in the Wild Seventies is a movie that I was not sure I appreciated until I watched it a third time. There are parts that are just confusing and parts that are just so fun. Like a good book; you have to read between the lines.

9. Hard Eight

Anderson's first film takes you into the darker parts of the Las Vegas gambling scene. It has some noir tropes but really flourishes when showing us characters with deep flaws and deep anger.

Summing Up The Best Paul Thomas Anderson Movies

PTA is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. I love all of his movies, and I have watched them at least three times, if not more, for my favorites.

He seems cool, and I'd love to have a coffee with him.

His work inspires and I'm just so happy we have him as a filmmaker.

Let me know what you think in the comments.