Directors Guild nominates Anderson, Coogler, del Toro, Safdie and Zhao for its top prize
Associated Press
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Paul Thomas Anderson accepts the award for best director for "One Battle After Another" during the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Josh Safdie attends the New York Film Critics Circle Awards at Tao Downtown on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in New York. (Photo by CJ Rivera/Invision/AP)Ryan Coogler arrives at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)CORRECTS SPELLING OF PERSON SHOWN - Oscar Isaac, from left, Guillermo del Toro, and Jacob Elordi walk onstage during the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Chloe Zhao arrives at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Invision
Paul Thomas Anderson accepts the award for best director for "One Battle After Another" during the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)