-
Click here to listen to this article - Share via
See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred
Anderson is the consensus pick to complete his one-award-after-another rampage in this category. Coogler (the consensus runner-up) finally received overdue noms for writing and directing, but the belief here is that, after 11 previous noms and no wins over nearly 30 years, it’s Anderson’s time to bring home the trophy.
Dave Karger says, “Coogler has a great shot at becoming the first-ever Black winner in this category. In another year he would have it in the bag,” then predicts an Anderson win. Saying Anderson will triumph for this, his fourth nomination, Amy Nicholson writes, “Frankly, he should have six or seven director nods by now. How did he not even get nominated for ‘Boogie Nights’ or ‘Magnolia’?”
Fun fact: Zhao is the only nominee with any Oscar wins in any category, having picked up two for “Nomadland” (as its producer and director).
Follow along throughout the season as our expert panel predicts the nominees and then the winners of the 2026 Oscars.
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
4. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
5. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
RogerEbert.com
Robert Daniels
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
4. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
5. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
“The academy has lately rewarded the veteran director who’s perceived to be due. They did it with Sean Baker, Christopher Nolan and Jane Campion. Daniels won when none of the other nominees had a firm grasp on that narrative. Making a phenomenal movie also doesn’t hurt; Anderson is winning this running away.”
Turner Classic Movies
Dave Karger
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
4. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
5. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
“Coogler has a great shot at becoming the first-ever Black winner in this category. In another year he would have it in the bag. But Anderson has been racking up Oscar nominations for almost three decades now and has never won. I can’t see the voters letting that slide any longer.”
Los Angeles Times
Amy Nicholson
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
4. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
5. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
“I’d say the fourth time is the charm for Paul Thomas Anderson, but frankly, he should have six or seven director nods by now. How did he not even get nominated for ‘Boogie Nights’ or ‘Magnolia’?”
IndieWire
Anne Thompson
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
4. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
5. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
“The clear director favorite is ‘One Battle’ auteur Paul Thomas Anderson, who is overdue after 11 nominations and no wins, while ‘Hamnet’ director Chloé Zhao won for ‘Nomadland.’ On the other hand, academy voters could decide to make Ryan Coogler the first Black director to win in this category.”
Tribune News Service
Katie Walsh
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
4. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
5. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
“I think this win was locked up back in September, when ‘One Battle’ was released. The 11-times-a-bridesmaid narrative around PTA is too good, and ‘One Battle After Another’ feels both deeply personal and epically scaled.”
Los Angeles Times
Glenn Whipp
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
2. Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
3. Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
4. Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
5. Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
“It’s Paul Thomas Anderson’s year. Finally. He’ll come home with at least two Oscars, rewarded for directing and writing ‘One Battle After Another.’ ”
