‘One Battle After Another’ Sweeps BAFTAs, Acting Surprises Abound

Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedy-drama, One Battle After Another, was the big winner at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, taking home six awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Anderson himself. The ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming at The Royal Festival Hall in London, as well saw unexpected victories in the acting categories .

Key Wins for ‘One Battle After Another’

One Battle After Another secured wins for Best Film, Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), and Adapted Screenplay . The film’s success positions it as a strong contender heading into the Oscars.

Surprise Wins in Acting Categories

The acting races delivered several surprises. Robert Aramayo, Wunmi Mosaku, and Sean Penn all took home awards, defying pre-ceremony predictions . Specific roles for which they were awarded were not immediately available.

Other Notable Winners

Sinners also had a successful night, winning three BAFTAs . The complete list of winners is available on the BAFTA website.

The 2026 BAFTA Awards: A Night of Upsets

The 2026 BAFTA Awards proved to be a night of both expected triumphs and unexpected upsets, solidifying the importance of the awards as a key indicator of cinematic excellence .