Every Paul Thomas Anderson Movie, Ranked By IMDb

Paul Thomas Anderson is known for directing intense psychological dramas that feature characters with notable flaws and examine themes of loneliness and redemption. IMDb voters have made clear which of Anderson’s movies they prefer, which also details the number of different stories the director has adapted over the years.

Some of these stick with the critical success that the films have received, while others have clearly connected with audiences more than professional reviewers. It’s interesting to see what the stories of these movies are and how Anderson has gone about making them in his long career. Looking back, it’s no wonder he’s tasted success with such a diverse line-up of films.

9 Inherent Vice (2014) – 6.7

Although Anderson’s movies do require a lot of reflective thinking, Inherent Vice might push it the most. The story is about Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix), who’s an inept hippie private investigator in 1970 and is looking into interrelated cases that could lead to the location of his disappeared ex-girlfriend.

The movie is relatively chaotic in that it can be quite the task to make sense of what’s going on in one scene from the other because characters can act very erratically. Inherent Vice was a shift in Anderson’s style in filmmaking and it shows that he was thinking out of the box on this one.

8 Hard Eight (1996) – 7.2

Paul Thomas Anderson’s first movie is an unconventional story that leaves a lot of questions about the psyche of its main characters. Here, the lead, Sydney (Philip Baker Hall), helps a poor man and turns him into his protege, only for the film to slowly reveal that Sydney has deeper connections to his apprentice.

With the presence of other well-known stars like John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samuel L. Jackson, Hard Eight has more to do with performances than the story itself. Still, it alludes to Anderson’s style of making movies that split opinions, which would evolve in ensuing works.

7 The Master (2012) – 7.2

The Master might be one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s most underrated projects, as it doesn’t get mentioned as much as his other works. Audiences who like a good psychological drama appear to have appreciated this effort, which again features Joaquin Phoenix, along with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

The story is about a WWII veteran who meets the leader of a religious movement and looks to have gained the direction he needs until it’s revealed that the movement is more of a cult that is looking to corrupt those who join into their twisted way of thinking.

6 Punch-Drunk Love (2002) – 7.3

Adam Sandler is largely considered to be an actor perfectly cast by Paul Thomas Anderson, as this movie remains one of Sandler’s best roles. Punch-Drunk Love is about Barry, a man with social anxiety and severe loneliness who falls in love with a woman and has to overcome his issues to be with her.

It’s simultaneously an emotional and feel-good story, which is easily the biggest change from the norm that Anderson has taken in direction. Looking back at the director’s filmography, it was worth venturing into the romantic comedy genre, and Punch-Drunk Love has aged well all these years later.

5 Phantom Thread (2017) – 7.5

Paul Thomas Anderson is responsible for creating some of Daniel Day-Lewis’ best characters, with his role as Reynolds Woodcock proving to be his finale before retirement. Phantom Thread is about a toxic relationship between Woodcock and his muse who becomes his wife.

The story is supposed to be appreciated through its extended run, where both characters are seen becoming enamored with each other before things become dangerously out of place. It’s a character study about incompatible couples presented in a way that Anderson knows best.

4 Boogie Nights (1997) – 7.9

The movie that arguably put Paul Thomas Anderson on the map, Boogie Nights has a wide variety of characters set in the adult film world. It’s a provocative but insightful story that doesn’t hold back on the effect that such a career has on the people who either choose to be part of it or fall into this world.

Mark Wahlberg is also considered to have become a serious actor after he partook in Boogie Nights, with the role still associated with his career. Anderson chose to go with the Golden Age of the adult film industry here and audiences still appear to find it an eye-opening experience.

3 Licorice Pizza (2021) – 7.9

There’s not much of a story that goes into Licorice Pizza, with the general premise being about two young people who grow up in the 1970s. It’s mainly about a youngster who’s in love with his older friend and remains in touch with her despite his obvious hope that they will get together.

The movie has connected with viewers because it has a nostalgic quality and carries the subtle style of pacing that can be found in movies from the ‘70s. Anderson looked to make use of the appeal of young love, and Licorice Pizza delivers on that front for a charming coming-of-age story.

2 Magnolia (1999) – 8.0

An ambitious effort from Paul Thomas Anderson goes into an intertwining story with a lot of characters, Magnolia is set within a day where many people face challenges in faith, love, life, and sadness. Each person has a need for love that they either hide or are unable to express, with the ending tying everything together.

It’s notable for superb performances from the likes of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, and Tom Cruise, among others, with Magnolia truly tugging at viewers’ heartstrings. Like Anderson’s other works, there’s no definite resolution, but there is a message of hope.

1 There Will Be Blood (2007) – 8.2

There’s little doubt that There Will Be Blood is considered a masterclass in cinema, containing an incredible performance from Daniel Day-Lewis set in the epic backdrop of Southern California’s oil boom. Anderson made use of huge set pieces and cinematography to bring an authentic feel to the movie that sprawls over decades.

The story is about Daniel Plainview and his ruthless bid for wealth, where he adopts the son of a deceased coworker as his own to appear as a family man and then proceeds to claim land for his oil business. There Will Be Blood lasts for as long as 158 minutes, yet it’s so engrossing that the time passes by ever so quickly.

About The Author

Saim Cheeda
(1344 Articles Published)

Saim Cheeda is an entertainment writer covering all of Film, TV, Gaming and Books. He’s been a writer for Valnet since 2017, contributing 500+ articles for The Gamer, The Things, Game Rant, Comic Book Resources and Screen Rant. Apart from freelance writing, Saim is a lifestyle blogger, co-owning the blog 3 States Apart.

http://3statesapart.com

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