The summer of 2023 was the summer of “Barbenheimer” as Christopher Nolan’s epic biopic Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s fantastical comedy Barbie opened on the same day and lit the box office ablaze.
Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated follow-up to Tenet, Oppenheimer tells the true story of the titular subject, J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. Presumably packed with the practical and visual spectacle that Christopher Nolan is so well-known for, Oppenheimer is already set to become the movie to beat this awards season.
To learn more about where and when you can see the historic nuclear physicist’s story come to life, here is where you can watch and stream Oppenheimer.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on January 13, 2024.
Oppenheimer
The story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Release Date July 21, 2023
Main Genre Biography
Genres War , Biography , Drama
Is ‘Oppenheimer’ Available on VOD?
Image via Universal Pictures
Yes, Oppenheimer is now available to purchase on VOD. You can use the links below to find the film on the platform of your choice.
What Streaming Service Will ‘Oppenheimer’ Be On?
Since Oppenheimer is a Universal production, it will be available to stream on Peacock on February 16, 2024. After a four-month window, the film will be available to stream on Prime Video.
Currently, Peacock has two subscription plans, Premium and Premium Plus. Both can be paid monthly or yearly at a 17% discount. Premium offers the entire Peacock library, live sports & events, current NBC and Bravo Shows, and 50+ live channels, all with limited ads for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Premium Plus removes most ads from the service (outside live events and channels) and the ability to download and watch select titles without an internet connection and your local NBC channel for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
Is ‘Oppenheimer’ Available on DVD and Blu-ray?
Image via Universal Pictures
Oppenheimer was released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on Tuesday, July 21, 2023. The physical release comes with over three hours of special features. You can click the links below to purchase a copy from the retailer of your choice.
You can read about the film’s special features and technical specs below:
MIXED 2.20 AND 1.78 ASPECT RATIOS PRESENTATION that enables viewers to experience the shift in aspect ratio as viewed in select theatrical locations, for the ultimate in-home viewing. HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM AUDIO: DTS-HD MASTER AUDIO 5.1 TRACK THE STORY OF OUR TIME: THE MAKING OF OPPENHEIMER NOW I AM BECOME DEATH – The cast, crew and producers join Christopher Nolan in sharing the personal stories that made them passionate about the project’s ambitious design for bridging multiple genres. THE LUMINARIES – OPPENHEIMER’s all-star cast discusses how they synthesize the script’s dramatic narrative with the real lives of historical figures to embody their complex characters. THE MANHATTAN PROJECT – To visualize Oppenheimer’s ability to see different dimensions and to recreate the historic Trinity test, filmmakers developed unique techniques to craft stunning effects without using CGI. THE DEVIL OF DETAILS – A look at how production designer Ruth De Jong and team recreated the entire town of Los Alamos with period-accurate props, spectacular sets and painstaking attention to authenticity. WALKING A MILE – Costume and makeup craftspeople populate OPPENHEIMER’s immersive environments with iconic figures by utilizing thousands of pieces of clothing and cutting-edge prosthetic applications. CAN YOU HEAR MUSIC? – Working closely with Christopher Nolan, Ludwig Göransson composes a deeply personal, historically expansive score ranging from the organic to the alien to accompany the visual landscape. WE CAN PERFORM THIS MIRACLE – Christopher Nolan’s closest collaborators demonstrate how his artistic vision creates camaraderie that drives his talented crew to continue breaking new ground in filmmaking. TRAILERS INNOVATIONS IN FILM: 65MM BLACK-AND-WHITE FILM IN OPPENHEIMER – FotoKem opens the door to its film labs, where new technologies are invented for using color and black & white 65mm film to visualize OPPENHEIMER’s dual timelines while pushing the format further forward. MEET THE PRESS Q&A PANEL: OPPENHEIMER – Chuck Todd moderates a conversation where Christopher Nolan, author Kai Bird, and physicists Dr. Kip Thorne, Dr. Thom Mason and Dr. Carlo Rovelli reflect on the fascinating science and doomsday concerns OPPENHEIMER illustrates onscreen. TO END ALL WAR: OPPENHEIMER & THE ATOMIC BOMB – Explore how one man’s relentless drive and invention of the atomic bomb changed the nature of war forever, led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and unleashed mass hysteria. Optional English, Spanish, and French subtitles for he main feature
In an interview, Christopher Nolan encouraged fans to buy physical copies of the film while warning about the dangers of streaming platforms removing and editing titles unannounced.
Obviously ‘Oppenheimer’ has been quite a ride for us and now it is time for me to release a home version of the film. I’ve been working very hard on it for months. I’m known for my love of theatrical and put my whole life into that, but the truth is, the way the film goes out at home is equally important.
‘The Dark Knight’ was one of the first films where we formatted it specially for Blu-ray release because it was a new form at the time. And in the case of ‘Oppenheimer,’ we put a lot of care and attention into the Blu-ray version […] and trying to translate the photography and the sound, putting that into the digital realm with a version you can buy and own at home and put on a shelf so no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.”
When Did ‘Oppenheimer’ Come Out?
Image via Universal Pictures
Oppenheimer opened in theaters across North America on Friday, July 21, 2023. The film competed against another highly anticipated film: Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.
Is ‘Oppenheimer’ Still in Theaters?
Image via Universal Pictures
No, Oppenheimer is no longer playing in theaters. The film returned to the IMAX 70mm for a one-week engagement in early November 2021 but is now no longer playing on the big screen. That being said, there is a good chance that the film will return to theaters as we get closer to the Academy Awards.
Is ‘Oppenheimer’ Still Playing in IMAX 70mm Film?
Image via Universal
No, at least not right now. Only 30 theaters globally played Oppenheimer in 15 perf/70mm film, which Nolan has deemed the gold standard of movies. The film’s reel is around 11 miles and over 600 lbs.
Watch the Trailer for ‘Oppenheimer’
The main trailer for Oppenheimer offers just a taste of what’s in store for this visually stunning biopic. Featuring sequences both in black and white and in color, the trailer does a great job showcasing the incredible visuals and reportedly practical effects in Christopher Nolan’s latest film. The trailer also boasts the film’s star-studded cast, including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and more.
Other Historical Biopics Like ‘Oppenheimer’ You Can Watch Right Now
First Man (2018): The third film from Damian Chazelle, the filmmaker behind Whiplash, La La Land, and Babylon, First Man was considered a box office bomb, which is a real shame considering how it effortlessly captures the beauty of space. The true story of revolutionary astronaut Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) is the film’s subject, showing how the individual and his peers became the first people to land on the Moon. It’s, far and away, one of Chazelle’s most beautiful films, which is saying something considering his famously gorgeous filmography.
Rent on Prime Video
The Imitation Game (2014): Another film about scientific advancement during World War II, The Imitation Game explores the life and advances of English mathematician Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch). Turing was credited with cracking the codes the Nazis used to communicate, building what could be considered one of the world’s first supercomputers. These incredible accomplishments are undercut by tragedy, as his sexuality as a homosexual causes Turing to become a target of the very country he’s trying to protect.
Watch on Netflix
A Beautiful Mind (2001): Another story of a brilliant mathematician, A Beautiful Mind took home four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, for its depiction of John Nash (Russell Crowe). Like Oppenheimer, A Beautiful Mind explores a massively influential historical figure’s brilliance while acknowledging the individual’s flaws. All make for what the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences thought was the best film of 2001.
Watch on Netflix