Following polls on Coen, Scorsese, Spielberg, Scott, and Nolan, here’s another one centered on one of the great living filmmakers.
Over 100 critics participated in World of Reel’s latest poll ranking the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, asked to submit their top three films, and the results reaffirmed what many already suspected: “There Will Be Blood” reigns supreme. The 2007 film, a vital contender for the great American epic of the 21st century, received 60 votes—comfortably securing the top spot.
What makes “There Will Be Blood” so monumental is its sheer ambition and execution. Paul Thomas Anderson’s operatic tale of greed, power, and isolation confronts the origins of capitalism. Daniel Day-Lewis’ towering performance as Daniel Plainview is a force of nature, while Robert Elswit’s stark imagery and Jonny Greenwood’s unsettling score elevate the film into something primal and unforgettable.
Close behind was “Boogie Nights” with 50 votes, a reminder of how Anderson’s sprawling 1997 chronicle of the porn industry remains an enduring touchstone. “Magnolia,” his audacious 1999 mosaic of interconnected lives, landed in third place with 39 votes, while “The Master,” perhaps Anderson’s most enigmatic and demanding work, took fourth with 32.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was “One Battle After Another.” Despite the fact that many critics admitted they had not yet seen it, the film still managed to appear on nearly a quarter of submitted ballots, finishing fifth overall with 26 votes. That strong showing suggests its reputation is already solidifying, even in its relative infancy.
At the other end of the spectrum, “Inherent Vice” proved to be Anderson’s most polarizing effort, finishing last with only 6 votes—falling behind even his 1997 debut “Hard Eight” (9 votes). The stoner noir continues to divide, loved by a passionate minority but dismissed by many others.
Rounding out the middle of the poll: “Phantom Thread” slightly edged out “Punch-Drunk Love” with 21 votes, while “Licorice Pizza,” Anderson’s nostalgic San Fernando Valley tale, earned 16.
As a testament to how remarkable PTA’s filmography is, every one of his ten films received votes in our poll—a rarity compared to other filmmaker surveys. There isn’t a single film that can be unanimously regarded as his weakest.
Overall, the results cement Anderson’s status as one of modern cinema’s most consistently acclaimed filmmakers. Any single film among the top seven would easily represent the crowning achievement of nearly any other director’s career.
Full results of the poll:
“There Will Be Blood” — 60 votes
“Boogie Nights” — 50
“Magnolia” — 39
“The Master” — 32
“One Battle After Another” — 26
“Phantom Thread” — 21
“Punch-Drunk Love” — 20
“Licorice Pizza” — 16
“Hard Eight” — 9
“Inherent Vice” — 6
Marvel's "Ghost Rider" just hired one of the best cinematographers working today. Linus Sandgren will serve as DP on Shawn Levy's MCU flick, and, most notably, the project will be shot on film.