In October 2018, the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” took the world by storm, shattering records with its incredible $910.8 million global box office earnings, all achieved on a modest $50 million budget. The film beautifully captured Freddie Mercury and Queen’s remarkable journey, culminating in their unforgettable Live Aid performance in 1986. However, its reign as the top-grossing biographical film has now been dethroned.
Enter Christopher Nolan’s cinematic masterpiece, “Oppenheimer,” which graced theaters in July and has surged to the top with a global box office haul of $912.7 million. This epic production delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the enigmatic figure often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb.” With a star-studded cast featuring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh, “Oppenheimer” not only claims the biopic crown but also stands as the highest-grossing World War Two-themed movie of all time.
As we look at the film landscape of 2023, “Oppenheimer” now stands at a respectable third place, trailing behind the likes of the popular “Barbie” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”
While “Bohemian Rhapsody” may have surrendered its top-grossing status, it is essential to remember the accolades it amassed. The film clinched four Oscars, two BAFTAs, and two Golden Globes, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
In terms of a potential sequel, Brian May of Queen expressed the desire to revisit the story, stating, “We’d love to make a sequel.” However, he also acknowledged the challenges, noting, “It took us 12 years to find the right script for the first one… We don’t want to release something unless we’re confident it will resonate as the original did.”
