Oppenheimer (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Oppenheimer is a 2023 biographical drama starring Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt and Jason Clarke. It is based on American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. It runs 3 hours and earned $975.8 million worldwide on a $100 million budget. It won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor in a Leading Role, and 30 awards in all. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 90 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 3h (180 min)
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $100M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Oppenheimer About?
The premise of Oppenheimer without spoilers, adapted from American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Drawing from Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s biography, American Prometheus, this film explores the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant theoretical physicist who spearheaded the Manhattan Project's development of the first nuclear weapons. His work ushered in the Atomic Age, forever changing the world and grappling with the profound moral and political implications of his creation.
Oppenheimer Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- manhattan project
- nuclear physicist
- nuclear
- american politics
- atomic bomb
- year 1945
- albert einstein character
- nuclear weapon
- los alamos new mexico
- world war two
- 1940s
- top secret
+38 more Show fewer
- security clearance
- based on real people
- j. robert oppenheimer character
- based on true story
- husband wife relationship
- based on biography
- nonlinear timeline
- nuclear weapons
- character name in title
- harry s. truman character
- desert
- betrayal
- reference to the potsdam conference
- reference to the spanish civil war
- reference to atomic bombing of hiroshima
- reference to atomic bombing of nagasaki
- female nudity
- based on real person
- period drama
- written by director
- mastermind
- explosion
- nuke
- guilt
- theoretical physicist
- political biopic
- black and white scene
- reference to adolf hitler
- reference to john f. kennedy
- politics
- political manipulation
- quantum physics
- scientist
- jewish american
- brother brother relationship
- moral dilemma
- trinity bomb test
- bomb explosion
Oppenheimer Cast & Characters
Cillian Murphy leads the cast as J. Robert Oppenheimer, with Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer and Jason Clarke as Roger Robb.
-
Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer -
Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer -
Jason Clarke as Roger Robb -
Alden Ehrenreich as Senate Aide
Also Starring in Oppenheimer
· 8 more- Gary Oldman
- James Remar
- David Krumholtz Isidor Rabi
- Josh Hartnett
- Florence Pugh
- Gustaf Skarsgård
- Jack Quaid
- John Gowans Ward Evans
Oppenheimer Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Oppenheimer 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 90 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (68).
Oppenheimer Echo Score Breakdown
Oppenheimer registers as a largely triumphant historical drama, buoyed by its ambitious scale and technical execution. Critics and most viewers commend the film’s visual grandeur, immersive soundscape, and diligent craftsmanship, while noting uneven pacing and occasional dialogue density. The narrative’s weighty subject matter and dense exposition generate mixed reactions, yet the overall impact remains compelling. In sum, the work stands as a high‑quality, though imperfect, entry in contemporary biopic cinema.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of direction and cinematography, the film repeatedly draws praise for its IMAX depth and meticulous framing. Reviewers highlight the practical effects, production design, and disciplined editing as hallmarks of Nolan’s craft. Some criticism arises around rapid cuts that compress dialogue, but the visual sophistication largely outweighs these concerns. Overall, the artistic execution is deemed exemplary.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating character depth, opinions are split between strong performances and perceived emotional restraint. Several reviewers applaud the cast’s commitment and nuanced portrayals, yet others note monotone delivery and limited emotional range. Confusion over character names is cited as a barrier for some viewers. Consequently, the character work is solid but not uniformly resonant.
- Story & Flow 68
The storyline’s ambition is evident, with critics acknowledging its scope and historical relevance. However, pacing issues—particularly a slower opening and a dense middle—receive repeated mention. Some viewers feel the narrative sacrifices dramatic momentum for exposition. While the plot sustains interest, its pacing irregularities temper overall narrative satisfaction.
- Sensory Experience 90
Sensory elements receive consistent acclaim, especially the orchestral score and immersive sound design. Reviewers describe the soundtrack as masterful and the audio landscape as reinforcing tension. Visual style, from IMAX clarity to practical effects, is praised for its realism and atmospheric impact. Minor critiques of jarring visual inserts exist, but the sensory experience is largely celebrated.
- Rewatch Factor 85
Rewatch potential is highlighted by multiple viewers who report multiple viewings and sustained intrigue. The film’s layered composition, rich soundscape, and thematic depth invite repeated analysis. While some find the initial pacing challenging, the overall consensus is that the experience rewards subsequent viewings, cementing a strong rewatch factor.
-
IMDb 8.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 91%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 90 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 80% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
Oppenheimer Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Oppenheimer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1945, the successful testing of the first atomic bomb marks a significant achievement for J. Robert Oppenheimer, who served as the director of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. However, as the political landscape shifts, key decisions regarding the bomb’s deployment are taken out of Oppenheimer’s hands and those of his fellow scientists. Following that momentous test, President Harry S. Truman orders the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ignoring Oppenheimer’s insistence that Truman should inform Stalin before any action was taken against Japan. This oversight escalates tensions with the Soviets, leading Oppenheimer to believe that these events initiated the nuclear arms race.
Full summary
The whole story of Oppenheimer, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Oppenheimer Box Office & Budget
Oppenheimer grossed $975.8 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, 9.8 times what it cost. $330.1 million came from the US and Canada and $645.7 million (66%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$975.8M
9.8× its budget
- US & Canada
- $330.1M
- International
- $645.7M
- Budget
- $100M
Oppenheimer Awards & Nominations
Oppenheimer won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor in a Leading Role, and 30 awards in all.
30 wins65 nominations9 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 2024 7 wins · 13 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
- Won Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Director – Christopher Nolan
- Won Best Editing
-
Oscars 2024 7 wins · 13 nominations- Won Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
- Won Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
- Won Best Picture – Christopher Nolan
- Won Cinematography
- Won Directing – Christopher Nolan
-
Golden Globes 2024 5 wins · 8 nominations- Won Best Director – Christopher Nolan
- Won Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Won Best Original Score
- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Cillian Murphy
- Won Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture (Supporting Actor) – Robert Downey Jr.
-
Critics' Choice 2024 4 wins · 13 nominations- Won Best Director – Christopher Nolan
- Won Best Picture
- Won Best Score
- Won Best Supporting Actor – Robert Downey Jr.
- Nominated Best Acting Ensemble
Show all 9 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 2024 3 wins · 11 nominations- Won Best Film Editing
- Won Best Supporting Actress in a Film – Emily Blunt
- Won Best Thriller Film
- Nominated Best Actor in a Film – Cillian Murphy
- Nominated Best Film Costume Design
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 2024 3 wins · 4 nominations- Won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture – Casey Affleck , Emily Blunt , Kenneth Branagh and 6 more
- Won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
- Won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Emily Blunt
-
DGA Awards 2024 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Feature Film – Christopher Nolan
-
IFTA Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role
-
Artios Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Big Budget – Drama
Oppenheimer Trailers & Videos
51 videos: 3 trailers, 4 teasers, 1 clip, 21 featurettes and 22 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer New Trailer
- Trailer Review
- Teaser Get Tickets NOW
- Teaser Yours to Own Promo
How Well Do You Know Oppenheimer?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What significant event does J. Robert Oppenheimer find himself at the center of in 1954?
Seen Oppenheimer?
Movies Like Oppenheimer
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Oppenheimer: The Real Story, Oppenheimer and The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
-
Oppenheimer: The Real Story 2023 -
Oppenheimer 1980 -
The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer 2008 -
To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb 2023 -
The Day After Trinity 1981 -
The Manhattan Project 1986 -
The Beginning or the End 1947 -
Day One 1989 -
Hiroshima 2005 -
Atomic Power! 1946 -
Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb 1980 -
Adventures of a Mathematician 2020
Oppenheimer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of Oppenheimer, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Oppenheimer?
Oppenheimer runs 3 hours (180 minutes).
When was Oppenheimer released?
Oppenheimer was released on July 21, 2023.
Who is in the cast of Oppenheimer?
Oppenheimer stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer and Jason Clarke as Roger Robb, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Oppenheimer make at the box office?
Oppenheimer grossed $975.8 million worldwide ($330.1 million domestic, $645.7 million international) on a budget of $100 million.
How is Oppenheimer rated?
Oppenheimer has 8.2/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 90 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.
Is Oppenheimer based on a book?
Yes. Oppenheimer is adapted from American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
What awards did Oppenheimer win?
Oppenheimer won 30 awards from 65 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 2024.
Does Oppenheimer have a post-credit scene?
No. Oppenheimer has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
