Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson

Top movies, series, and documentaries with a screenplay by Paul Thomas Anderson. Explore the titles that showcase an exceptional writing.


Magnolia

1999 · Movie · 188 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Tom Cruise · John C. Reilly · Philip Baker Hall · William H. Macy

Synopsis Magnolia (1999) unfolds over the course of a single day in Los Angeles, where the lives of various characters intertwine and are forever altered. A solitary police officer (John C. Reilly) develops feelings for a troubled cocaine addict (Melora Walters)....

7.6

46K votes

7.6

46K votes

Boogie Nights

1997 · Movie · 156 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Mark Wahlberg · Julianne Moore · Burt Reynolds · Don Cheadle

Synopsis Boogie Nights (1997) follows the journey of Eddie Adams, a young man whose life takes a dramatic turn when he crosses paths with Rick Horner, a prominent figure in the adult film industry. Horner recognizes Eddie's potential and molds him...

7.3

24K votes

7.3

24K votes

There Will Be Blood

2007 · Movie · 158 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Daniel Day-Lewis · Paul Dano · Kevin J. O'Connor · Ciarán Hinds

Synopsis There Will Be Blood (2007) is set in 1902 and follows the journey of Daniel Plainview, who receives an anonymous tip about a small town in the West where oil is seeping from the ground. Accompanied by his son, H.W.,...

7.2

42K votes

7.2

42K votes

Licorice Pizza

2021 · Movie · 133 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Alana Haim · Cooper Hoffman · Sean Penn · Bradley Cooper

Synopsis Licorice Pizza (2021) follows the journey of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, friendship, and romance in the San Fernando Valley during the year 1973. The film captures the essence of their youthful adventures...

6.8

11K votes

6.8

11K votes

Phantom Thread

2017 · Movie · 130 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Daniel Day-Lewis · Vicky Krieps · Lesley Manville · Richard Graham

Synopsis Phantom Thread (2017) unfolds in the opulent world of 1950s post-war London, where the esteemed fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) reign supreme in the British fashion scene. Their prestigious label, The House of...

6.8

15K votes

6.8

15K votes

Junun

2015 · Documentary · 54 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Jonny Greenwood · Shye Ben Tzur · Aamir Bhiyani · Soheb Bhiyani

Synopsis Junun (2015) chronicles the journey of Jonny Greenwood, a frequent musical partner of Mr. Anderson, as he ventures to Rajasthan in northwest India for a unique recording session. During this expedition, Greenwood collaborates with Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur to...

6.6

192 votes

6.6

192 votes

Hard Eight

1996 · Movie · 101 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Philip Baker Hall · John C. Reilly · Gwyneth Paltrow · Samuel L. Jackson

Synopsis Hard Eight (1996) follows the journey of John, who finds himself penniless and sitting outside a desert diner. His fortunes begin to change when Sydney, a seasoned gambler, offers him a cup of coffee and a chance to turn his...

6.6

4K votes

6.6

4K votes

Punch-Drunk Love

2002 · Movie · 89 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Adam Sandler · Emily Watson · Philip Seymour Hoffman · Luis Guzmán

Synopsis Punch-Drunk Love (2002) follows the story of Barry Egan, a socially awkward individual who runs a modest novelty company. His life is heavily influenced by his seven overbearing sisters, making it challenging for him to find romantic connections. However, everything...

6.5

20K votes

6.5

20K votes

The Master: Back Beyond (S)

2012 · Movie · 20 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Joaquin Phoenix · Philip Seymour Hoffman · Amy Adams · Rami Malek

Synopsis The Master: Back Beyond (S) (2012) presents a unique compilation of deleted scenes, meticulously edited into a standalone short film. Unlike typical behind-the-scenes extras, this feature includes a distinct musical soundtrack in DD 2.0 and a voiceover that occasionally bridges...

6.4

318 votes

6.4

318 votes

The Master

2012 · Movie · 137 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Joaquin Phoenix · Philip Seymour Hoffman · Amy Adams · Rami Malek

Synopsis The Master (2012) presents a compelling narrative set in the aftermath of World War II, focusing on the lives of wandering souls and those in search of purpose. The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, follows the path of Freddie...

6.3

23K votes

6.3

23K votes

Inherent Vice

2014 · Movie · 148 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Joaquin Phoenix · Josh Brolin · Katherine Waterston · Owen Wilson

Synopsis Inherent Vice (2014) is set in the vibrant and chaotic landscape of Los Angeles in 1970. The story revolves around private investigator Doc Sportello, who finds himself unexpectedly reunited with his former girlfriend, Shasta. She arrives with a tale of...

Max

6.0

12K votes

6.0

12K votes

Cigarettes & Coffee (S)

1993 · Movie · 24 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Kirk Baltz · Scott Coffey · Miguel Ferrer · Bonnie Fidelman

Synopsis Cigarettes & Coffee (S) (1993) follows the intersecting lives of five individuals who find themselves in the same diner at a pivotal moment. An elderly man (Hall) offers guidance to a young man (Baltz) grappling with his wife's infidelity and...

5.9

198 votes

5.9

198 votes

Blossoms & Blood (S)

2003 · Movie · 13 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Adam Sandler · Emily Watson · Salvador Curiel · Sissy Lake

Synopsis Blossoms & Blood (S) (2003) presents a unique assemblage of alternate scenes and excised footage from Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed film Embriagado de amor (Punch-Drunk Love). This short film, devoid of a traditional narrative, interweaves these segments with the...

4.7

203 votes

4.7

203 votes

Mattress Man Commercial (S)

2003 · Movie · 1 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Philip Seymour Hoffman · David Stevens · Jimmy Stevens · Nathan Stevens

Synopsis Mattress Man Commercial (S) (2003) is a quirky and humorous advertisement for the fictional Mattress Man company, which was featured in Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed film "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002). This short film captures the eccentric and memorable style of...

4.5

832 votes

4.5

832 votes

Couch (TV) (S)

2003 · Movie · 2 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Adam Sandler

Synopsis Couch (TV) (S) (2003) follows the comedic misadventures of a man, played by Adam Sandler, as he embarks on a quest to find the perfect new sofa. The story unfolds with a blend of humor and everyday challenges, capturing the...

2.4

1K votes

2.4

1K votes

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Leonardo DiCaprio · Regina Hall · Chase Infiniti · Sean Penn

Synopsis One Battle After Another (2025) presents a contemporary adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel 'Vineland,' delving into the tumultuous radical movements of the 1960s. This cinematic experience is set to hit theaters in September 2025.

Not rated

Not rated

SNL Fanatic (S)

2000 · Movie · 4 min. · United States

Direction Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast Ben Affleck · Jimmy Fallon · Molly Shannon

Synopsis SNL Fanatic (S) (2000) follows the story of a deeply devoted admirer of Anna Nicole Smith who is granted an unexpected opportunity to encounter his idol. However, the meeting takes a dark turn as the fan's obsession and Smith's own...

Not rated

Not rated