Licorice Pizza, a drama-filled romantic comedy directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, lands on Prime Video on August 1, 2026. Led by Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, the film also features Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie and Maya Rudolph.
In the San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s, Gary Valentine, a resourceful teenage former child star, falls for Alana Kane, a young woman ten years his senior. Despite their age difference and distinct personalities, the two leads forge a distinctive bond through a string of adventures, improbable career plans, and encounters with the quirky figures populating Los Angeles at the time.
With Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a coming-of-age story in which romance sits alongside a portrait of a California in transition. Drawing on the director’s own youth and producer Gary Goetzman’s life, the film vividly recreates the San Fernando Valley vibe of the 1970s.
Shown in competition at numerous international film festivals, the feature film was notably nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. It also marks the film debut of Cooper Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour Hoffman, alongside Alana Haim, from the band Haim.
Licorice Pizza will appeal to fans of dramedies, offbeat romances, and American auteur cinema. Viewers drawn to coming-of-age tales, endearing characters, and evocative period recreations should also enjoy this work from Paul Thomas Anderson.
To go further, also check out our guide to the Prime Video August 2026 new releases, our roundup of streaming releases across all platforms, and our guide What to watch today on streaming.
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