FILM & TV

Epic Achievement: Oppenheimer Takes the Place of Highest-Grossing Biopic

Christopher Nolan's mega-blockbuster, Oppenheimer, is taking the box office by storm. The movie has outshined all biopics, surpassing the sensation of 2018, “Bohemian Rhapsody."
Universal Pictures

Christopher Nolan’s mega-blockbuster, Oppenheimer, is taking the box office by storm. The film has outshined all biopics, surpassing the sensation of 2018, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Oppenheimer has reached over $912 million in global ticket sales, according to Box Office Mojo. Christopher Nolan’s film has broken records and secured its position as the highest-grossing biopic of all time. Following the success of the biopic about Freddie Mercury, J. Robert Oppenheimer’s story has captivated and intrigued people across the globe, cementing its place in cinematic history.

While the film has become a box office superstar, it still isn’t taking the crown for this year’s biggest film. This year’s most successful film belongs to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, hitting screens on the very same day as Oppenheimer and making its way to over $1.4 billion across the globe.

Nevertheless, Oppenheimer has established Christopher Nolan, 53, as an undeniable director in cinematic history. This film stands as his biggest project since the 2012 hit, The Dark Knight Rises, which surpassed the $1 billion mark. 

This blockbuster, starring the talented Cillian Murphy in the lead role, has crossed the $900 million milestone. Yet, Oppenheimer trails behind Barbie and The Super Mario Bros Movie in the year’s race for the highest-earning film sensations.

A part of the film’s success is due to Barbenheimer. When Oppenheimer and Barbie both hit theaters on July 21, fans couldn’t resist but watch both incredible films, making that weekend the superstar of 2023, per Box Office Mojo

Oppenheimer draws its inspiration from the book, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin. With an A-list cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh, this epic film unfolds the complex story of the Manhattan Project scientist during World War II. 

Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian stated to Variety, “For Oppenheimer to cross the $900 million global mark after just nine weeks in theaters is a remarkable achievement. It shows how an amazing film with a superstar director and a star-studded cast can turn a three-hour historical epic into a blockbuster mainstream hit.” Lastly, he mentioned, “Those last few miles of any theatrical run are the toughest.” “But at this point, […] it’s a total winner no matter the ultimate outcome.”

FILM & TV