Paul Thomas Anderson’s action thriller, One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has completed two weeks in theaters with a worldwide gross of $123.7 million. Despite this strong showing, the film faces stiff competition from the newly released Tron: Ares and other recent offerings. With a production budget estimated at $140 million, One Battle After Another needs to reach about $350 million globally to break even.
Financial Comparisons with Michael B. Jordan’s Chronicle
Currently, One Battle After Another is closing the gap with Chronicle, the 2012 sci-fi superhero film featuring Michael B. Jordan, which grossed $126.6 million worldwide. Breakdown of box office earnings shows: One Battle After Another has earned $49.8 million domestically and $73.9 million internationally, while Chronicle made $64.5 million in North America and $62.1 million overseas. The DiCaprio-led movie trails Chronicle by less than $3 million globally.
Potential to Climb Box Office Rankings
For One Battle After Another to break into the top 20 highest-grossing films of 2025, it must surpass Freakier Friday, currently holding the 20th spot with $152.8 million worldwide. This means the Anderson film requires an additional $29.1 million in revenue. Given its current trajectory, industry observers expect that it could achieve this target in the near future.
Plot and Key Cast of One Battle After Another
Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, One Battle After Another centers on Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former member of the revolutionary French 75 group, whose life is disrupted when his daughter vanishes and a dangerous figure from his past reappears after sixteen years. The film also features Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti in significant roles, adding depth to the intense storyline.
Significance and Challenges Ahead
While One Battle After Another is recognized as a potential Oscar contender and has outperformed several prior titles, it still faces an uphill battle to cover its production costs and surpass major box office milestones. With increasing competition and high financial expectations, its next few weeks will be critical in determining whether it can outgross Michael B. Jordan’s earlier superhero film and secure a lasting box office legacy.
