‘Oppenheimer’ finally set for release in Japan after nuclear backlash

“Oppenheimer,” the blockbuster film about U.S. efforts to develop the world’s first nuclear weapons, is set for release in Japan after fierce public backlash.

TOKYO — “Oppenheimer,” the blockbuster film about U.S. efforts to develop the world’s first nuclear weapons, is finally coming to theaters in Japan, where it faced fierce public backlash over what critics said was insensitivity toward the only country to have suffered atomic bombings.

Bitters End, the film’s Japanese distributor, said Thursday that “Oppenheimer” would be released in 2024, without specifying a date.

“Because the subject matter of this film is of great importance and has special significance to us Japanese, we decided to release the film in Japan after much discussion and consideration,” it said.

“After viewing the film, we believe that the one-of-a-kind cinematic experience by director Christopher Nolan, which transcends traditional theatrical techniques, deserves to be seen on the big screen.” 

The film, which tells the story of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, has earned more than $950 million worldwide since its release in July, according to Box Office Mojo.