Leonardo DiCaprio’s recent movie, One Battle After Another, has surpassed a significant global box office milestone after just 10 days in theaters worldwide. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the big-budget action adventure has become Anderson’s highest-grossing film to date, overtaking the $77 million lifetime revenue of his 2007 film, There Will Be Blood. The film has received some of the most favorable reviews of 2025 and is considered a strong contender for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Box Office Progress and Financial Context
In its second weekend, One Battle After Another broke the $100 million threshold at the global box office. Despite this success, the film’s reported production budget stands at $140 million, suggesting it still needs to accumulate substantial additional revenue to be profitable. Compared to Leonardo DiCaprio’s previous film, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, this new release is expected to surpass that film’s earnings. Killers of the Flower Moon earned over $60 million domestically and around $150 million globally, with a budget reportedly at $200 million. DiCaprio’s film output has slowed in recent years, particularly after he won Best Actor at the Oscars for The Revenant, a milestone that marked a turning point in his career.
Comparison with World War II Drama Enemy at the Gates
One Battle After Another has also eclipsed the box office totals of the 2001 World War II drama Enemy at the Gates. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, best known for Seven Years in Tibet, Enemy at the Gates concluded its run with $97 million worldwide, against an estimated $70 million budget. The film starred Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes and centered on a Soviet war hero’s actions during the Battle of Stalingrad. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave Enemy at the Gates a 53% rating, with reviews recognizing its atmosphere and war depiction but critiquing its romantic subplot.
Atmospheric and thrilling, Enemy at the Gates gets the look and feel of war right. However, the love story seems out of place.
— Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Critical Acclaim for One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another holds a certified fresh score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics’ consensus praises the film as
“An epic screwball adventure teeming with awe-inspiring action set pieces,”
calling it Paul Thomas Anderson’s most entertaining and thematically rich work to date. Alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, the cast features Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Chase Infiniti. The film continues to play in theaters worldwide, drawing significant audience interest.
An epic screwball adventure teeming with awe-inspiring action set pieces, One Battle After Another is Paul Thomas Anderson’s most entertaining film yet, while also one of his most thematically rich.
— Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Key Actors and Roles in One Battle After Another
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Bob Ferguson, leading the narrative’s intense action and drama. Sean Penn takes on the role of Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, contributing to the film’s strong ensemble. The inclusion of actors such as Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor, and Regina Hall adds depth to the story and supports the film’s positive reception.
Implications and Future Outlook
The success of One Battle After Another marks a potential new high point for Leonardo DiCaprio’s box office appeal, demonstrating his continued ability to headline major cinematic events. With the film’s critical acclaim and growing audience enthusiasm, it remains a frontrunner during this awards season. While the production costs are extensive, the film’s strong momentum suggests it could yield significant returns in the coming weeks. Audiences and critics alike will be watching closely as it competes for top honors at the Academy Awards and continues its theater run.
