‘Oppenheimer’ Surpasses $500 Million, Sets Box Office Record For Highest Grossing Film Set During World War II
On the same day that “Barbie” celebrated crossing the billion-dollar milestone at the box office, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” achieved its own remarkable feat by surpassing the half-billion-dollar mark in worldwide earnings. Official estimates from Universal Pictures revealed that the World War II drama has raked in an impressive $552.9 million since its release just three weeks ago.
The success of “Oppenheimer” has been nothing short of astounding. Notably, it now holds the title of the highest-grossing R-rated movie of 2023 and marks the fastest a Universal R-rated film has reached the $200 million threshold domestically, as stated in a news release from the studio on Sunday.
As the movie enters its third weekend in theatres, it continues to show incredible stamina, maintaining its position as the No. 3 movie in both domestic and international box offices.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, commended Christopher Nolan’s directorial prowess, saying, “Oppenheimer’s astounding theatrical run made all the more impressive by the R-rating, running time, and subject matter.” The movie defied expectations for historical dramas at the box office and proved its ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
“Oppenheimer” revolves around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist behind the Manhattan Project. The three-hour biography has earned its place among the highest-grossing biopics globally, standing alongside “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Passion of the Christ,” and “American Sniper.”
The success of “Oppenheimer” goes beyond its box office numbers. It has garnered critical acclaim and become one of the most revered and talked-about summer movies ever released by a major studio. Its triumph at the box office demonstrates the power of great filmmaking, coupled with a touch of unforeseeable “Barbenheimer” magic, referring to the viral phenomenon that emerged from the simultaneous release of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie.”
The symbiotic relationship between “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” with their different styles and tones, seemingly contributed to their respective successes during their shared debut on July 21. As the summer continues, both movies continue to leave an indelible mark on the film industry, captivating audiences worldwide with their storytelling prowess and cinematic excellence.
