Christopher Nolan Earned Nearly $100 Million for 'Oppenheimer'

Oppenheimer was a box office sensation in 2023 and helped drive millions to the theaters thanks in part to the Barbenheimer phenomenon. The movie's massive success has led to quite a handsome payday for many of the people involved, not the least of which is the film's director Christopher Nolan.

Nolan took home two Oscars at the Academy Awards on March 10: one for best director and one for best picture. His gold statuettes were the icing on the cake to a bountiful year for Nolan. According to Variety, the award-winning filmmaker took home just under $100 million for his work on the film. This includes his salary for the film as well as backend compensation and bonuses for the movie's box office success as well as his Oscar wins. Directing was only part of his job, as he also wrote and produced the movie. With the film being re-released in 1,000 theaters following its Oscar triumph, the movie should cross the billion-dollar benchmark, which would trigger yet another bonus for Nolan.

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Nolan has been an acclaimed filmmaker for years in Hollywood, but his win for directing surprisingly marks his first-ever Oscar in the category. In his acceptance speech, Nolan was grateful to be considered a part of film history.

"Movies are just a little bit over 100 years old. I mean, imagine being there 100 years into painting or theater," he observed. "We don't know where this incredible journey is going from here, but to know that you [the Academy] think that I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me."

Oppenheimer is available to stream now on Peacock and is in select theaters across the country.