By Christopher Nolan’s much-anticipated biopic, “Oppenheimer,” debuted in Japanese cinemas on Friday, stirring a myriad of emotions in a nation deeply affected by its subject matter. Despite the film’s poignant narrative, it achieved a significant feat by surpassing the sci-fi blockbuster ‘Dune: Part Two’ to clinch the title of Japan’s highest opening weekend of 2024. Box office figures reveal that “Oppenheimer” garnered an impressive $2.5 million from screenings across 343 theaters, eclipsing the $1.3 million earnings of ‘Dune: Part Two’ released the previous month. Moreover, the biopic outperformed last year’s ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ which amassed an estimated $1.6 million.
Despite securing the third position on the domestic box office charts, trailing behind local hits like the horror film ‘Strange House’ and the animated feature ‘Haikyu!!’, “Oppenheimer” continues to make waves globally. With cumulative ticket sales soaring to an impressive $965 million worldwide, the film’s impact remains undeniable.
Centered around the life of US physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his pivotal role in the creation of the atomic bomb, the biopic has garnered widespread acclaim. Boasting rave reviews and a slew of accolades, including seven Oscars at this month’s awards ceremony, such as Best Director for Christopher Nolan and Best Actor for star Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer” solidifies its status as a cinematic masterpiece.
