Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ becomes highest-grossing biopic in history

Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated movie Oppenheimer has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing its position as the highest-grossing biographical film in history, with ticket sales soaring to an astounding $912 million in just one week, as reported by The Guardian.

As per the media reports, the accomplishment has dethroned the 2018 Freddie Mercury biography Bohemian Rhapsody, which previously held the record with $910 million in earnings.

However, Oppenheimer has notched up several significant achievements along the way. The movie has also claimed the title of the third-highest-grossing release of 2023, trailing behind Barbie at $1.4 billion and The Super Mario Bros Movie at $1.3 billion. In close pursuit are Guardians of the Galaxy and Fast X, currently occupying the fourth and fifth spots on the year’s box office chart.

Based on the works of Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin’s American Prometheus, Oppenheimer delves into the origins of the world’s first atomic bomb, developed during World War II.

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Presented as a biographical account from the perspective of “The Father of the Atomic Bomb” himself, J. Robert Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, the movie explores the life and pivotal contributions of the lead scientist as he grappled with the monumental challenge of the secret Manhattan Project at the Los Alamos laboratory.

Meanwhile, Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent lauded Oppenheimer with a glowing four out of five-star review, hailing it as Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus. Loughrey commended Nolan’s skillful navigation of the controversial physicist’s complex legacy, transforming the narrative into a profound and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.

In an exclusive interview with the publication, Nolan shared insights into the monumental undertaking that Oppenheimer represented. The visionary director expressed that the project was his most ambitious to date, emphasising the importance of capturing the grandeur of Oppenheimer’s story. “The movie I wanted to make couldn’t have been done smaller,” said Nolan. “It’s not about money or budget—the magnitude of the story is what attracted me to it.”

Nolan added, “The fact that Oppenheimer and his fellow scientists couldn’t entirely eliminate the risk of igniting the atmosphere and potentially destroying the world, yet still proceeded with the test—the idea of someone taking that risk on behalf of all humanity and future generations. There’s nothing greater than that.”

Oppenheimer made its theatrical debut on July 21, marking a significant milestone in Christopher Nolan’s illustrious filmmaking career. As the movie continues to captivate audiences, its impact serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in illuminating the complexities of history and the indomitable human spirit.