A dramatization of the life story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who had a large hand in the development of the atomic bombs that brought an end to World War II.
Kloster Einsiedeln, Klosterplatz, Einsiedeln, Schwyz, 8840, Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra
Scene: (Exterior, only establishing shot)
East Reinken Avenue, Belen, Valencia County, New Mexico, 87002, United States of America
Scene: (Trinity site set)
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506, South Grand Avenue, Historic Core, Downtown, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 90071, United States of America
Pasadena Civic Center District, East Union Street, Old Pasadena, Pasadena Council District 3, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, 91129, United States of America
Woodair Estates, Jackson Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States of America
Mittelpunkt der Schweiz, Südwest Aufstieg Haupt, Sachseln, Obwalden, 6068, Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra
Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920, Valencia Boulevard, The Bungalows, Valencia, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, California, 91355, United States of America
CBS Studio Center, Woodbridge Street, Studio City Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91604, United States of America
Hamilton Jewelers, 92, Nassau Street, Witherspoon-Jackson, Princeton Center, Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey, 08542, United States of America
Scene: (Princeton University)
JO Pass Trail, Tulare County, California, United States of America
New Mexico
California
Christopher Nolan’s atomic epic returned to the very landscapes where the story happened – the high desert of New Mexico, the real town of Los Alamos, and a recreated Trinity test that Nolan famously staged with practical effects rather than CGI.
Where was Oppenheimer filmed?
Oppenheimer was filmed across New Mexico – Los Alamos, Ghost Ranch and a Trinity-test set near Belen – with scenes in California, New Jersey and Europe.
Every Oppenheimer location, explained
1
Los Alamos – the real town
The film shot in the real Los Alamos, New Mexico, home of the Manhattan Project.
2
Ghost Ranch – the secret city
The Los Alamos wartime laboratory was recreated at Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, the New Mexico landscape beloved of Georgia O’Keeffe.
3
The Trinity test – near Belen
The atomic-test set was built in the desert near Belen, where Nolan restaged the blast with practical effects.
4
Europe and the US
The film also used Switzerland for Oppenheimer’s European studies, plus Princeton and Berkeley in the US.
Planning a visit
Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu is a stunning, visitable New Mexico landscape, and Los Alamos itself has a museum dedicated to the Manhattan Project.
Oppenheimer Fun Facts
1
No CGI for the bomb Nolan famously recreated the Trinity test using practical effects rather than computer imagery.
2
Filmed in the real Los Alamos The production shot in the actual New Mexico town where the bomb was built.
3
Ghost Ranch as the lab The secret city was recreated at Ghost Ranch, a landscape made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe.
4
Shot on large-format film Nolan filmed on IMAX and 65mm, including rare black-and-white IMAX stock.
5
A sweeping Oscar winner The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Oppenheimer use CGI for the bomb?
No – Nolan recreated the Trinity test with practical effects.
Was Oppenheimer filmed in the real Los Alamos?
Yes – the production shot in the actual New Mexico town, with the lab recreated at Ghost Ranch.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Ghost Ranch and Los Alamos (with its Manhattan Project museum) are both accessible.
