Oppenheimer was one of the biggest movies of 2023, along with Barbie. And if you want more movies like Oppenheimer that give you the same thrill and historical adventure, then check out these top recommendations below.
The epic biographical thriller drama was written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nolan and follows the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist. Oppenheimer was responsible for developing the first nuclear weapon during World War II, with the film following his studies, his direction of the Los Alamos Laboratory, and his 1954 hearing.
For more movies like Oppenheimer, here are the top six suggestions.
6. 1917, Netflix (2019)
With every major story in history, there was one thing that happened that turned the tables. With Oppenheimer, it was the destructive tools that he crafted, and with 1917, it was one single mission that could save the lives of thousands. The war film is one of the best movies like Oppenheimer and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman and takes place during World War I.
The film starts after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich and follows two soldiers, Will Schofield, and Tom Blake, on their mission to deliver an important message to call off a doomed offensive attack. It’s just as thrilling as the epic biographical film and just as important of a story.
5. The Theory of Everything, Prime Video (2014)
What about a movie that focuses more on the genius behind the creation rather than the creation itself? The Theory of Everything is a brilliant movie that was released in 2014 and stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones and details the life of another theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking.
It details the relationship between Jane Hawking and Stephen Hawking, as well as his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and his success in the field of physics. It’s a beautiful film that takes a twist from Oppenheimer, but shares several of the same themes.
Read More: How to Learn About the Cold War in Movies
4. All Quiet on the Western Front, Netflix (2022)
Based on the 1929 novel sharing the same name by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front is a 2022 German epic anti-war film that is the third film adaptation of the book and is one of the best movies like Oppenheimer.
It’s set during World War I and follows the life of an idealistic young German soldier named Paul Bäumer. After enlisting in the German Army with his friends, Bäumer finds himself exposed to the realities of war, shattering his early hopes of becoming a hero as he does his best to survive.
Also Read: Best Netflix War Movies Right Now
3. Dunkirk, Prime Video (2017)
Want another epic thriller? Dunkirk is one of the best movies like Oppenheimer for its thrill while being set in World War II. The movie is another one by Christopher Nolan that stars an ensemble cast including Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Harry Styles, and many more.
The movie is portrayed with very little dialogue in hopes the cinematography and music bring out most of the suspense. The movie focuses on soldiers from Belgium, the British Commonwealth and Empire, and France who are surrounded by the German Army and evacuated during a fierce battle during World War II.
Check Out: Best War Shows That Will Immerse You in the Action
2. The Day After Trinity, Prime Video (1981)
An older movie, but one of the best movies like Oppenheimer, is The Day After Trinity. The movie is the perfect option if you want more of a documentary on theoretical physicists.
The 1981 documentary film tells the story of Oppenheimer who led the effort to build the first atomic bomb and tested it in July 1945 at the Trinity site in New Mexico. It also shows off newly declassified archival footage at the time and has an interview at the conclusion of the documentary when he wished that the spread of nuclear weapons had stopped sooner.
Related: Best War Movies on Hulu
1. The Imitation Game, Prime Video (2014)
Movies like Oppenheimer focus on thrilling war documentaries, and The Imitation Game is the perfect option. It’s set during World War II, but not actually on the battlefield. The film is based on the 1983 biography of Alan Turning, a cryptanalyst who worked on creating a computer that could decode messages from German intelligence.
The code constantly changes to prevent decrypting, but just one decryption could change the course of the war. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley and is one of the best movies like Oppenheimer.