All 10 of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Movies, Ranked According to Letterboxd

All 10 of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Movies, Ranked According to Letterboxd

Few filmmakers today inspire as much debate and admiration as Paul Thomas Anderson. From his early days as a wunderkind redefining the crime and porn genres to his later work exploring love, power, and obsession, Anderson has never shied away from complex characters and daring storytelling.

His films are often dense, emotionally charged, and visually striking—sometimes divisive, but always unforgettable.

Letterboxd users have weighed in, giving each of his films a score that reflects both audience passion and polarizing tastes. Below, we’ve ranked all ten of Anderson’s movies by their average ratings on Letterboxd, from the raw early works to his most celebrated masterpieces.

10. Hard Eight (1996) – 3.6

Anderson’s debut feature introduced audiences to his unique ability to weave tension into everyday interactions. The story follows an older gambler, Sydney, who takes a down-on-his-luck man under his wing, offering him mentorship that’s equal parts fatherly and mysterious.

Though not as flashy as his later projects, Hard Eight set the tone for Anderson’s career: intimate character studies built around sharp dialogue and sudden bursts of emotion.

While it doesn’t get as much love on Letterboxd, fans who revisit the film often note how tightly written and atmospheric it is, with standout performances from Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly. It’s a slow burn, but one that rewards patient viewers.

9. Licorice Pizza (2021) – 3.6

Few films divide audiences quite like Licorice Pizza. Set in the San Fernando Valley during the 1970s, it captures the awkward, unpredictable energy of first love between a teenage actor and a twenty-something woman still figuring out her path.

The film is pure vibes—long stretches of meandering moments, celebrity cameos, and slice-of-life humor. For some, it’s nostalgic and charming, like flipping through an old photo album. For others, the meandering pace and unconventional romance feel off-putting.

Still, even its critics admit Anderson’s flair for authenticity and atmosphere shines here. At its best, Licorice Pizza feels like a dream you half-remember from your youth.

8. Inherent Vice (2014) – 3.6

Adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s famously dense novel, Inherent Vice is Anderson at his most delightfully chaotic. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Doc Sportello, a stoner private eye stumbling through a maze of conspiracies, real estate scams, and counterculture weirdness.

It’s a shaggy-dog detective story that often feels more like a mood than a plot. Many viewers find themselves lost in the haze, unsure of what’s happening—but that’s the point. The film thrives on confusion, paranoia, and surreal comedy.

Though not as highly rated as his other works, it has developed a cult following that praises its hazy beauty, sharp dialogue, and surprisingly tender undercurrents.

7. Punch-Drunk Love (2002) – 4.0

For anyone who only knew Adam Sandler from goofy comedies, Punch-Drunk Love was a revelation. Here, Sandler plays Barry Egan, a socially anxious man prone to violent outbursts who unexpectedly finds love—and maybe redemption—through an equally quirky partner.

Anderson balances surreal humor with raw vulnerability, creating one of his most accessible yet deeply strange films. The visual style is vibrant, with bursts of color and music underscoring Barry’s emotional swings.

Letterboxd users adore its mix of tenderness and chaos, with many calling it Anderson’s sweetest movie. It’s proof that he can do romance just as powerfully as tragedy.

6. The Master (2012) – 4.0

Few films are as hypnotic and unsettling as The Master. Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman deliver powerhouse performances as a lost veteran and the charismatic leader of a mysterious movement often compared to Scientology.

The film isn’t about easy answers but about the magnetic pull between two damaged men. Its long takes, eerie score, and ambiguous storytelling have divided audiences, but Letterboxd fans admire its boldness. It’s a film you don’t watch once—you wrestle with it, picking apart its symbols and implications for years.

Anderson pushes his actors to emotional extremes, making The Master one of his most haunting achievements.

5. Phantom Thread (2017) – 4.2

This gothic romance is as beautiful as it is unsettling. Daniel Day-Lewis, in what he claimed would be his final role, plays Reynolds Woodcock, a perfectionist dressmaker whose rigid life is upended by a young woman who refuses to be controlled.

The film is elegant, meticulous, and layered with subtle psychological games. While it might look like a costume drama on the surface, Phantom Thread is really about power, obsession, and the strange ways love can manifest.

Letterboxd users praise its lush cinematography, haunting score, and unforgettable final act. It’s Anderson at his most refined—and his most twisted.

4. Boogie Nights (1997) – 4.2

Anderson’s breakout hit dives into the rise and fall of the adult film industry in the 1970s and ’80s, following Mark Wahlberg’s Dirk Diggler from starry-eyed newcomer to disillusioned veteran.

It’s a wild ride full of eccentric characters, flashy set pieces, and a killer soundtrack. Yet beneath the glitz and excess, Boogie Nights is a surprisingly heartfelt story about belonging, ambition, and the cost of chasing fame.

Letterboxd users often call it Anderson’s most fun film, though it doesn’t shy away from tragedy. Bold, ambitious, and endlessly rewatchable, it cemented Anderson as one of Hollywood’s most exciting voices.

3. Magnolia (1999) – 4.2

With its sprawling cast and intersecting storylines, Magnolia is Anderson at his most ambitious. The film explores love, regret, and forgiveness through a mosaic of characters, each grappling with personal crises over the course of a single day.

From Tom Cruise’s electric performance as a misogynistic self-help guru to the unforgettable scene of frogs raining from the sky, the film is filled with moments that stick with you.

Some viewers find its intensity overwhelming, but Letterboxd fans often rank it among Anderson’s most emotionally powerful works. It’s messy, heartbreaking, and cathartic—exactly what makes it unforgettable.

2. One Battle After Another (2025) – 4.5

Anderson’s latest film has already won over Letterboxd audiences with its audacity. One Battle After Another explores themes of survival, loyalty, and chaos against the backdrop of rebellious upheaval. Though only recently released, it’s being hailed as one of his most visceral and daring projects to date.

Early reviews highlight Anderson’s masterful control of tone—balancing brutal realism with moments of strange humor and fragile humanity.

The cast reportedly delivers some of his best ensemble work yet, with nuanced performances that bring raw emotion to the screen. While it may take time for the dust to settle, fans are already calling it a late-career triumph.

1. There Will Be Blood (2007) – 4.5

Regarded by many as Anderson’s magnum opus, There Will Be Blood is a searing portrait of greed, ambition, and obsession. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers an iconic performance as oilman Daniel Plainview, whose thirst for power consumes everything in its path.

The film’s imagery is unforgettable: barren landscapes, oil gushers, and the infamous “I drink your milkshake” confrontation. Its slow build crescendos into a finale as shocking as it is inevitable.

Letterboxd users consistently rank it among the greatest films of the 21st century, praising its ambition and intensity. It’s the kind of movie that burrows into your brain and never leaves.