UPDATE: Jun. 21, 2024, 4:00 PM EDT This guide has been updated to include new streaming details for Prime Video, as well as information on 'Oppenheimer's' Oscars wins.
The summer of 2023 can be summed up in one word: Barbenheimer. Even if you didn't step foot near a theater, you heard about the cult-like phenomenon that was the joint theatrical release of Barbie and Oppenheimer. Both films far exceeded box office expectations and made waves during awards season. Oppenheimer, in particular, earned a baker's dozen Oscar nominations — the most of any film last season — and won seven. Not to mention it took home the biggest award of the night: Best Picture.
If you missed the ambitious Christopher Nolan epic in theaters, you can catch up on the brooding blockbuster at home. Oppenheimer initially made its streaming debut on Feb. 16 via Peaco*ck. As of June 18, however, it jumped ship to Prime Video. True devotees also have the option to rent or purchase the film at digital retailers.
Whether you want to see it for the first time or re-watch it again and again, here's everything you need to know about how to watch Oppenheimer at home.
What is Oppenheimer about?
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning non-fiction book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Nolan's Oppenheimer is an unsettling biopic that centers on the career of the "father of the atomic bomb."
Cillian Murphy stars as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is appointed by Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. (Matt Damon) to work on the U.S. government's top-secret Manhattan Project — aka developing and designing the atomic bomb. The story is told through interwoven timelines across decades and features a star-studded cast playing historical figures, including Robert Downey Jr., Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, David Krumholtz, Matthew Modine, David Dastmalchian, Jack Quaid, Dane DeHaan, Jason Clarke, James D'Arcy, Tony Goldwyn, Alex Wolff, and Kenneth Branagh.
In case you missed it, here's the full theatrical trailer:
Is Oppenheimer worth watching?
If the seven Oscar wins and $975 million worldwide box office earnings are any indication, Oppenheimer is can't miss cinema. Not to mention the 93% critic rating and 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is ambitious, haunting, and unforgettable, which is why we dubbed it one of the best films of 2023. Mashable's Belen Edwards calls it "Nolan's finest and most devastating work yet."
"In typical Nolan fashion, Oppenheimer is epic in scope, delivering jaw-dropping shots of New Mexico vistas, dancing particles, and of course, the fateful Trinity Test. But it's the film's third act that hits the hardest, as the weight of the Manhattan Project reverberates through time, extending past Oppenheimer's life and into our present. With an unflinching focus on Oppenheimer's flaws and a haunting lead performance from Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer becomes part tragedy, part horror movie, and entirely unforgettable," she writes in our guide to the best movies of 2023.
It certainly has its flaws — Nolan's depictions of women, the bleeding soundscape, and a troubling omission of Japanese perspectives — as pointed out by Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. But for the most part, the film is a major achievement.
Read Mashable's full review of Oppenheimer.
Is Oppenheimer streaming?
Oppenheimer initially debuted on Peaco*ck back in February, but as of June 21, it's now available to stream on Prime Video instead. Already have a Prime Video subscription? You're good to go. If not, continue scrolling to learn the best ways to sign up and stream Oppenheimer at home.
How to watch Oppenheimer at home: Best streaming deals
You'll need an active Amazon Prime membership or standalone Prime Video subscription in order to watch Oppenheimer at home. While there aren't too many Prime Video deals floating around compared to other streaming services, we've managed to round up the best options you have to save a bit of money.
Best Prime Video deal for newbies: Free 30-day trial
Prime membership
If you've never been a Prime member before, or you're returning after some time away, Amazon will offer you a free 30-day trial to test the waters. That's plenty of time to watch Oppenheimer (despite how long the movie is). After your trial, you'll be charged full price ($14.99 per month or $139 per year), so be sure to cancel before the month is up if you want to avoid charges.
Best Prime Video deal for students: Save 50% through Prime Student
Prime Student
Students can score a free six-month trial to Prime via Prime Student. You just need a verifiable student email address and you can unlock access to all of the Prime perks (plus more), including Prime Video. That means you can stream Oppenheimer for free as many times as you want over a six-month period. When your trial ends, it'll only cost you half the price of a regular Prime membership — just $69 per year or $7.49 per month.
Note: You'll have to prove you're actually a current student through SheerID, so your ancient student email address won't work.
Best for everyone else: Prime Video only
Prime Video only
Not eligible for a free trial or discounted Prime Student membership? You probably won't be able to watch Oppenheimer for free. You can, however, save some money on your subscription by opting for Prime Video as a standalone service (rather than paying for a full Prime account). A full Prime membership costs $14.99 per month, but Prime Video on its own is just $8.99 per month. It may not be as good as a free trial, but it certainly beats paying full Prime pricing for the streaming aspect alone.
The thing is, Amazon obviously would rather you become a Prime member, which means signing up for Prime Video alone is unnecessarily complicated. Basically, when you go to sign up for a subscription, just be sure to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plan" and navigate to the Prime Video only option. Like a Prime membership, you can always cancel whenever you please with no strings.
Best long-term value: Amazon Prime annual membership
Amazon Prime annual membership
If you do want all the Prime membership perks, you could choose an annual membership rather than monthly to save about 22%. Rather than the usual $14.99 per month, it'll cost you $139 per year — that breaks down to just $11.58 per month. You'll get access to Prime Video to watch Oppenheimer, as well as all the other Prime perks, like fast and free shipping, free Grubhub+, access to Amazon Music, and exclusive deals and savings for an entire year. If you're currently on the monthly plan and want to switch and save, navigate to your Prime membership under your account details to change your plan.
Other ways to watch Oppenheimer at home
If you'd prefer not to sign up for another streaming service just to watch a single film — albeit, a very long one — you can also opt for renting or purchasing Oppenheimer on digital video on demand services like Prime Video or Apple TV for $3.99 or $14.99, respectively. With rentals, you'll get 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours to finish once started. For those who struggle to watch things within that time frame, you'll likely be better off purchasing the film for your digital library instead.
Here are all the links to rent or purchase the film on digital:
