The country that has no plans to show Oppenheimer in theaters
- The film is a conspicuous absence from a country after its release on July 21.
- It might be available to view later in 2023, but no date has been confirmed.
Oppenheimer’s release has generated buzz around the world, following its premiere on July 21.
However, the film, which follows J. Robert Oppenheimer’s development of early nuclear weapons, is conspicuously absent from theaters in Japan.
Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer has not yet been confirmed for its release in the country due to its content.
In August 1945, the United States used Oppenheimer’s work to help the country create a nuclear bomb that struck the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 200,000 people.
Although Japan hasn’t publicly stated that it will ban Oppenheimer screenings entirely, it has yet to share a date when the film will be shown in theaters across the country.
The film, which follows the development of the first nuclear weapons by J. Robert Oppenheimer, is conspicuously absent from theaters in Japan.
Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, has not yet been confirmed for its release in the country due to its content
A Universal spokesperson says “plans have not been finalized in all markets,” according to Variety.
Toho-Towa, Japan’s largest distributor of Hollywood movies, has yet to confirm Oppenheimer’s release date.
However, audiences hoping to see the blockbuster release in Japan could check out Oppenheimer later this year, as it’s common for American movies to be released months after they’re released.
The film received a perfect five stars from Brian Viner of the Daily Mail, who wrote that Nolan balances suspenseful elements “superbly” with “profound questions about the morality of leaving Hiroshima and Nagasaki as nuclear waste”.
Viner wrote: “Oppenheimer is an astonishingly well made film… Much of Oppenheimer plays out like a thriller, without deflecting deep questions about the morality of leaving Hiroshima and Nagasaki as nuclear waste.
“I am exasperated by the excessive length of many films these days, but even at three hours, this one never seems unreasonably long. There is so much story to tell, and Nolan tells it magnificently.
Luckily for moviegoers in Japan, they’ll be able to catch this year’s other major release starting next month.
Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, will hit the country’s screens starting August 11.
