If the internet has taught us anything, it’s that no event, no matter how serious, escapes the creativity of memes, not even the Oppenheimer story!. Oppenheimer memes are exploding all over the web, fusing nuclear physics with explosive humor. From atomic jokes to reaction faces that could disintegrate you with laughter, these memes will make you see science in a much more radioactive… and funnier!
The Rise of Epic Oppenheimer Memes
Oppenheimer’s box office triumph has sparked an endless flood of memes on social media. And it’s no wonder! With Christopher Nolan‘s film clocking in at three hours, it’s a goldmine for meme creators.
A Cultural Phenomenon
A lot of this meme madness can be credited to “Barbenheimer,” an unexpected yet wildly successful combination of the year’s two biggest blockbusters—Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie. The two films practically became a cultural phenomenon together, and their popularity is driving Oppenheimer to potentially become the highest-grossing film of 2023.
Aiming for Oscars, Leading the Meme Parade
Oppenheimer has been dominating the box office, sitting comfortably as the fifth highest-grossing movie of 2023. It’s on track to outpace Fast X, which would boost it to the fourth spot globally. On top of that, the film is already considered a strong contender for the 2024 Oscars, and there’s speculation Nolan could finally win his first Best Picture or Best Director Oscar. But while we wait for March, let’s enjoy the best part of Oppenheimer’s success: The incredible wave of memes that have taken over the internet.
Top Oppenheimer Memes You Can’t Stop Watching
A Tormented Genius, Now Smiling:
One of the most popular memes is “Oppenheimer with a smile.”. Through the magic of Photoshop, the serious scientist is shown with a broad grin, reminiscent of a toothpaste ad. It’s funny because the real Oppenheimer rarely smiled, given the weight of his work on the atomic bomb. The meme jokes, “Oppenheimer if he had invented something fun like yo-yos or candy,” and leaves us wondering—would he have been happier if he had created toys instead of weapons?
The Front Row Daredevil:
Then there’s the meme about the brave soul who chose the middle seat in the front row for a 70mm IMAX screening of Oppenheimer. With an eight-story-high screen, the question is: how did this person’s neck survive the ordeal? And when you factor in the on-screen nuclear blast, you can only imagine how intense—and maybe a bit painful—that cinematic experience must have been. Talk about immersion!
When Oppenheimer Becomes Thanos:
Being so close to the massive IMAX screen also had the hilarious side effect of distorting faces, turning Oppenheimer into something that looked more like Thanos after an intense workout. This meme plays with the visual absurdity, joking that if you handed him the Infinity Gauntlet, no one would be surprised.
The Awkward Moment Meme:
Another successful meme translates an excruciatingly awkward scene in the film into a situation that many can relate to. Is forced to talk about his relationship with Jean Tatlock in front of his wife, and his rueful expression says it all. The meme cleverly compares him to a teenager stuck in a doctor’s office with his parents when the conversation suddenly turns to awkward questions about his personal life.
The American Flag Gaffe:
Sharp-eyed viewers noticed a historical inaccuracy in Oppenheimer: the number of stars on the American flag during a key scene didn’t match the number of states at the time. Naturally, the internet had a field day, creating memes that poke fun at this minor oversight. These memes remind us that while the movie might be historically authentic in many ways, some details are bound to slip through—and that’s okay, as long as we can laugh about it.
Cillian Murphy’s Meme Revelation:
A surprising meme star is Cillian Murphy himself, who plays Oppenheimer in the film. In a humorous twist, it turns out Murphy had no idea what a meme was, even as the internet filled with images of him. His “don’t talk to me about nonsense” face, a staple in these memes, has become an unintentional hit, adding another layer of irony to his portrayal of the scientist.
The Serious and the Ridiculous:
This meme previews an epic battle at the 2024 Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, between Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Gosling. Downey Jr.’s serious portrayal in Oppenheimer is compared to Gosling’s quirky, eccentric performance in Barbie. It’s both inspirational and hilarious, showcasing the dramatic contrast between their roles, despite both being deserving of the award.
Everyday Explosions:
Oppenheimer’s anxiety and inner turmoil during the Trinity Project’s atomic tests didn’t just stay on the big screen. The internet quickly related his stressed-out expression to daily struggles, like doing homework with your dad or getting scolded for not doing the dishes. This meme captures that feeling of impending doom but serves it with humor—and thankfully, no actual explosions.
Drake & Josh fans turn Oppenheimer’s tense scene into a hilarious crossover:
One of the wittiest memes from the Oppenheimer features Josh Peck, yes, Drake & Josh’s very own Josh. Peck plays a crucial character during the Trinity bomb test. And since fans can’t contain themselves, one meme creator decided to imagine a touch of nostalgia.
Instead of an atomic blast, the scene takes an unforeseen twist. After pressing the dreaded button, Peck peeks through an imaginary window only to discover that, below, his mischievous sister Megan has pulled the plug on something important.
Barbenheimer: A Fusion of Fun and Destruction:
The Barbenheimer memes continue to shine.“One of them transforms Oppenheimer’s iconic quote, “Now I am Death, the destroyer of worlds,” giving it a Barbie-esque twist.” With Barbie’s iconic pink heels in the mix, the meme imagines Oppenheimer’s world-destroying power with a touch of glamour. It’s a hilarious and bizarre mash-up of the two films’ most memorable elements.
The Whispering Meme:
One of the most insightful Oppenheimer memes involves a scene where a girl whispers, “They’re probably talking about us.” In the movie, the scene signifies a miscommunication that leads to Oppenheimer’s betrayal by Lewis Strauss, who wrongly assumed Oppenheimer had insulted him to Einstein. The meme highlights how disastrous a little misunderstanding can be, even when the conversation is actually about something completely different.
The Existential Crisis Meme:
This meme captures Oppenheimer’s intense, reflective expression and ties it to the universal experience of existential crisis. Whether you have a job or not, life sometimes throws you into deep reflection, much like Oppenheimer wrestling with the moral weight of his work. The meme brings home the idea that, no matter what you accomplish, you’re often left wondering, “What’s next?”
Oppenheimer Memes: Compilation in videos of the funniest ones!
See you in the following article! To say farewell, I needed to take off you two video compilations with a few of the best memes approximately the motion picture Oppenheimer. Do not rush, they are exceptionally great, and I guarantee you that you won’t be able to halt giggling as before long as you see them.
Here they are:
