This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Paul Thomas Anderson Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. There Will Be Blood (2007)
37
8
There Will Be Blood
R
37
8

There Will Be Blood is a period drama film which tells the story of Daniel Plainview, a ruthless oil prospector and his relentless struggle to become the most powerful oil tycoon. For this, he even starts to manipulate his adopted son.

Starring:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Martin Stringer, Matthew Braden Stringer, Jacob Stringer, Joseph Mussey
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
2. Magnolia (1999)
23
6
Magnolia
R
23
6

The film narrates the significance of chance and coincidence in the different yet intertwined stories of nine characters on a rainy day in Los Angeles: a dying game-show host, his estranged drug-addicted daughter, dying former producer, his trophy wife and estranged misogynist son, an ex-quiz-champion and a boy genius, a caring nurse and a police officer in love.

Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
3. Boogie Nights (1997)
20
5
Boogie Nights
TV-MA
20
5

A period drama film that focuses on the life of a young nightclub employee who enters the pornographic film industry and becomes a popular star before eventually suffering a downfall, Boogie Nights is an expansion of Paul Thomas Anderson's mockumentary short film The Dirk Diggler Story. 

Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
4. Phantom Thread (2017)
13
4
Phantom Thread
R
13
4

Phantom Thread is a romantic drama film which takes us to London in the 1950s. It tells the story of a dressmaker named Reynolds, whose life is disrupted by a young strong-willed woman.  He starts developing a liking for her, and she soon becomes his muse and lover.

Starring:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Vicky Krieps, Julie Vollono, Sue Clark
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
5. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
14
5
Punch-Drunk Love
R
14
5

Punch-Drunk Love is a dark comedy film that centres on a single man, Barry Egan, with emotionally abusive sisters who, in an effort to cure his loneliness, calls up a phone-sex line, but gets embroiled in an extortion racket instead. Egan's situation gets further complicated when he falls in love with Lena Leonard who he must protect from the extortionists.

Starring:
Emily Watson, Adam Sandler, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzmán, Jason Andrews
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
6. Licorice Pizza (2021)
12
4
Licorice Pizza
A
12
4

Licorice Pizza is a romantic comedy drama film which takes us to San Fernando Valley, in 1973. The film revolves around a 15 year old actor Gary Valentine, who finds himself attracted to a much older woman named Alana, who is working as the assistant of a photographer. Although she initially tries to rebuff his advances, they soon develop a unique friendship which may blossom into romance.  

7. Junun (2015)
7
3
Junun
7
3
Starring:
Ehtisham Khan Ajmeri, Nihal Khan, Nathu Lal Solanki, Narsi Lal Solanki, Aamir Bhiyani
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
8. Sydney (1996)
9
3
Sydney
R
9
3

Sydney, a veteran gambler, teaches a young broke youngster John how to gamble and the latter eventually becomes his protégé. John does quite well, till he starts falling for a waitress named Clementine. 

Starring:
Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
9. The Master (2012)
15
6
The Master
R
15
6

Having witnessed the horrors of WWII, Freddie Quell struggles to return to normal life and drifts from one job to another due to his alcoholism and violent nature. He is easily influenced by Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of the philosophical movement, The Cause, but his rise within the cult makes the other members worried.

Starring:
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
10. Cigarettes & Coffee (1993)
7
3
Cigarettes & Coffee
7
3
Starring:
Miguel Ferrer, Kim Gillingham, Philip Baker Hall, Scott Coffey, Kirk Baltz
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
11. Haim: Little of Your Love (2017)
7
3
Haim: Little of Your Love
7
3
Starring:
Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim, Haim
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
12. Punch-Drunk Love: Deleted Scenes (2003)
7
3
Punch-Drunk Love: Deleted Scenes
7
3
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
13. Inherent Vice (2014)
11
5
Inherent Vice
R
11
5

Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello is a good-hearted but inept stoner who works as a private investigator. His former lover, Shasta suddenly shows up and asks him to prevent her rich lover, Wolfmann, from being committed to insane asylum by Wolfmann’s wife. Doc soon finds himself tangled in the psychedelic world of drugs and corrupt LAPD. 

Starring:
Sasha Pieterse, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Michael K. Williams, Jena Malone, Maya Rudolph, Eric Roberts
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
14. Punch-Drunk Love: 12 Scopitones (2003)
6
3
Punch-Drunk Love: 12 Scopitones
6
3
Starring:
Adam Sandler
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
15. The Dirk Diggler Story (1988)
5
3
The Dirk Diggler Story
5
3
Starring:
Robert Ridgely, Ernie Anderson, Rusty Schwimmer, Michael Stein, Eddie Delcore
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
16. Paul Thomas Anderson Production Assistant 1992 (2012)
4
3
Paul Thomas Anderson Production Assistant 1992
4
3
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
17. SNL Fanatic (2000)
4
3
SNL Fanatic
4
3
Starring:
Jimmy Fallon, Molly Shannon, Ben Affleck
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
18. Couch (2003)
3
3
Couch
3
3
Starring:
Adam Sandler
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson

Movies (Actor)

1. In Search of Ted Demme (2010)
10
5
In Search of Ted Demme
10
5
Starring:
Steve Buscemi, Gerard Butler, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jason Barry
2. Paul Thomas Anderson Production Assistant 1992 (2012)
8
6
Paul Thomas Anderson Production Assistant 1992
8
6
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson

TV Shows

Radiohead: Daydreaming (2016)
11
2
Radiohead: Daydreaming
11
2
Starring:
Grace Illingworth, Ava Puorro, Thom Yorke
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Back Beyond (2013)
10
2
Back Beyond
10
2
Starring:
Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern, Rami Malek
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Documentary Now!
20
5
Documentary Now!
20
5
Starring:
Anne Hathaway, Mia Farrow, Jack Black, John Slattery, Peter Fonda, Bill Hader, Helen Mirren
Directed By:
Alexander Buono, Rhys Thomas
Fiona Apple: Across the Universe (1998)
8
2
Fiona Apple: Across the Universe
8
2
Starring:
John C. Reilly, Fiona Apple
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Radiohead: Present Tense, Jonny, Thom & a CR78 (2016)
8
3
Radiohead: Present Tense, Jonny, Thom & a CR78
8
3
Starring:
Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Fiona Apple: Hot Knife (2013)
8
3
Fiona Apple: Hot Knife
8
3
Starring:
Fiona Apple
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Radiohead: The Numbers (2016)
8
3
Radiohead: The Numbers
8
3
Starring:
Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Haim: Right Now (2017)
7
2
Haim: Right Now
7
2
Starring:
Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim, Haim
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Haim: Valentine (2017)
7
3
Haim: Valentine
7
3
Starring:
Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim, Haim
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Mattress Man Commercial (2003)
9
3
Mattress Man Commercial
9
3
Starring:
Philip Seymour Hoffman, David H. Stevens, Jimmy Stevens, Nathan Stevens, Mike D. Stevens
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Fiona Apple: Paper Bag (2000)
7
3
Fiona Apple: Paper Bag
7
3
Starring:
Fiona Apple, Bobby Amamizu
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Haim: Night So Long - Live at the Greek (2018)
7
3
Haim: Night So Long - Live at the Greek
7
3
Starring:
Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim, Haim
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Joanna Newsom: Sapokanikan (2015)
6
3
Joanna Newsom: Sapokanikan
6
3
Starring:
Joanna Newsom
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Michael Penn: Try (1997)
6
3
Michael Penn: Try
6
3
Starring:
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Melora Walters, Michael Penn
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Aimee Mann: Save Me (1999)
6
3
Aimee Mann: Save Me
6
3
Starring:
Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Jason Robards, Jim Beaver, Jeremy Blackman
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Joanna Newsom: Divers (2015)
6
3
Joanna Newsom: Divers
6
3
Starring:
Joanna Newsom
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Fiona Apple: Fast as You Can (1999)
6
3
Fiona Apple: Fast as You Can
6
3
Starring:
Fiona Apple
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Jon Brion: Here We Go (2002)
6
3
Jon Brion: Here We Go
6
3
Starring:
Emily Watson, Adam Sandler
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Fiona Apple: Limp (2000)
5
3
Fiona Apple: Limp
5
3
Starring:
Fiona Apple
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Blossoms & Blood (2003)
7
4
Blossoms & Blood
7
4
Starring:
Emily Watson, Adam Sandler, Salvador Curiel, Sissy Lake, Rogerlyn Kanealii Wakinekona
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Molly Shannon (2001)
5
3
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Molly Shannon
5
3
Starring:
Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, Ben Affleck, Alec Baldwin, Matthew Broderick
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson, Beth McCarthy-Miller
Flagpole Special (1998)
5
3
Flagpole Special
5
3
Starring:
John C. Reilly, Chris Penn
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson

Special Appearance/Cameo

Magnolia (1999)
11
3
Magnolia
R
11
3

The film narrates the significance of chance and coincidence in the different yet intertwined stories of nine characters on a rainy day in Los Angeles: a dying game-show host, his estranged drug-addicted daughter, dying former producer, his trophy wife and estranged misogynist son, an ex-quiz-champion and a boy genius, a caring nurse and a police officer in love.

Role:
Man Confiscating Sign (uncredited)
Starring:
Thomas Jane, Alfred Molina, Tom Cruise, Patton Oswalt, Miriam Margolyes, William H. Macy, Jason Robards
Directed By:
Paul Thomas Anderson
Minority Report (2002)
13
4
Minority Report
PG-13
13
4

Loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s 1954 short story, the movie is set in 2054 Washington where specialised police arrests murderers before they actually kill someone. Helping the police are three psychics or precogs who can predict these murders. John Anderton works for this special police force but when one day, he is identified as a future killer, he is forced to escape to prove his innocence.

Role:
Passenger on Train (uncredited)
Starring:
Colin Farrell, Frank Grillo, Peter Stormare, Paul Wesley, Jessica Capshaw, Max von Sydow, Cameron Diaz
Directed By: