‘One Battle After Another’ Finally Marches to HBO Max With a December Streaming Date

Clear your watchlists and cancel whatever low-stakes comfort rewatch you were planning, because One Battle After Another is officially coming to HBO Max on Friday, December 19. After a buzzy theatrical run and months of awards chatter, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film is finally heading to streaming, just in time to dominate holiday viewing and reignite group chats everywhere.

The December 19 HBO Max premiere gives the film a perfectly timed second wind. Released theatrically in late September, One Battle After Another quickly became one of the most talked-about movies of the year, thanks to Anderson’s signature swing-for-the-fences filmmaking style and a cast stacked with heavy hitters. Now, viewers who skipped theaters, or who simply want to pause, rewind and fully process what they just watched will get their chance from the comfort of home.

Leading the charge is Leonardo DiCaprio, delivering a performance that sits comfortably in his “unhinged but compelling” wheelhouse. He’s joined by Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti, making this one of Anderson’s most ensemble-driven projects to date. The cast alone makes the HBO Max debut feel like an event rather than just another catalog drop.

One Battle After Another did solid business during its theatrical run, pulling in approximately $204 million worldwide. That figure marks the highest-grossing film of Anderson’s career, no small feat for a filmmaker whose work often prioritizes ambition over box office safety. The financial success, combined with strong critical reactions, helped cement the film as a major player heading into awards season.

The December streaming date is also a strategic win for HBO Max. Prestige films thrive during the holidays, when audiences are more willing to commit to something weighty and One Battle After Another is very much not background noise. This is a sit-down, pay-attention movie.

As December 19 approaches, the message is clear: One Battle After Another isn’t done fighting for attention. Its HBO Max debut ensures the film stays firmly in the spotlight, giving it new life, new viewers, and plenty more discourse. Whether you missed it in theaters or are ready for round two, the battle resumes on streaming just in time for the holidays.