'Oppenheimer' Filming Locations: The Real-Life Places Featured in the Christopher Nolan's Movie

Another critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan masterpiece, the book-adapted "Oppenheimer," debuted on screens on July 21, 2023. The film, chronicling the life and role of the titular "father of the atomic bomb," J. Robert Oppenheimer, was shot mainly in historically accurate locations.

Directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer" is adapted from the biography "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," authored by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

It follows the story of the eponymous character and his integral role in the development of the first nuclear weapons and, most notably, the atomic bomb. The late theoretical physicist was among the leaders behind the success of the Manhattan Project during World War II (WWII).

The film, which also touches on Oppenheimer's personal life, featured a star-studded cast, with Cillian Murphy leading as the "father of the atomic bomb." Alongside him was Emily Blunt, who played his wife, Kitty.

Oppenheimer was also romantically involved with a colleague, physics professor Jean Tatlock, portrayed by Florence Pugh. The Jewish naval officer Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey Jr., served as Chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission.

Matt Damon portrayed another central character, Lieutenant Leslie Groves, an engineer among those who architected the Manhattan Project. Other honorable appearances in the cast include Gary Oldman, Rami Malek, Jack Quaid, and Tom Conti, who played Albert Einstein.

"Oppenheimer" famously debuted onscreen the same day as Greta Gerwig's adventure-comedy "Barbie," starring Margot Robbie. Despite both movies being highly anticipated, there appeared to be no rivalry among fans, who affectionately referred to July 21, 2023, as "Barbenheimer."

However, another intriguing aspect of "Oppenheimer" is its setting. The movie was filmed in historically accurate locations within North America, including Mexico, California, and New Jersey in the United States.

In and around Los Alamos and Santa Fe in New Mexico

Filming for "Oppenheimer" primarily took place in New Mexico, particularly in a 1940s-style replica of a town called Los Alamos, well known for its connection to nuclear weaponry. The US Department of War took over a quiet ranch town in Los Alamos in 1943.

Used to conduct the Manhattan Project, it was referred to under the code name "Site Y," where viewers also see Oppenheimer's real former home and office. Next to Los Alamos is New Mexico's capital, Santa Fe, another primary filming location.

The desert city served as the testing site for the first atomic bomb. It is considered a significant landmark in US history. Residents of Santa Fe who lived nearby Los Alamos have known Site Y as "The Hill."

Additionally, Nolan was privileged to use other real Manhattan Project locations, including The Lamy Train Station and the Civilian Women's Dormitory. The Lamy Train Station was said to be the first stop for Manhattan Project scientists and workers making their way to Site Y.

From the station, they would travel to 109 E. Palace, where they received "top secret badges" before driving to Los Alamos. The civilian women's dormitory used in "Oppenheimer," called T-101, was one of two built for women civilians and non-military staff.

There were reports of four dormitories during the Manhattan Project era, with two others reserved for men. But only the one currently remains standing. Speaking of the film's creation — his 12th, following "Tenet" and "Dunkirk" — Nolan called it his most challenging project.

"It's a story of immense scope and scale. There were big logistical challenges, big practical challenges. But I had an extraordinary crew, and they really stepped up. I'm thrilled with what my team has been able to achieve," the director said.

The University of California, Berkeley — Among Oppenheimer's Former Workplaces

Nolan and the "Oppenheimer" team filmed scenes at the University of California, Berkeley, where Oppenheimer worked as a professor between 1929 and 1943 before he joined the Manhattan Project.

The team worked to transform portions of the campus to reflect 1940s architecture, including Oppenheimer's former office, the school's main library, and its football and athletics stadium, Edwards Stadium.

Oppenheimer is also said to have taught at the university's Los Angeles campus. Murphy and Pugh were reportedly seen filming on the campus grounds. Additionally, Greater Los Angeles served as a shooting location, as Murphy and Damon were spotted leaving Millennium Biltmore Hotel in costume, i.e., military attire.

Princeton University, New Jersey

Following the end of WWII, Oppenheimer relocated to the East Coast of New Jersey, where he was appointed director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. He served in this position between 1947 and 1966.

It's also where he met another historical figure in science, who became his colleague, Einstein. Murphy and Downey Jr. were seen shooting in front of the school's East Pyne library. There were more New Jersey locations also used to film post-war scenes.

The University of Cambridge, England

It's unclear whether the "Oppenheimer" team shot scenes at the University of Cambridge or if they were filmed in studio set designs. In the film, Oppenheimer can be seen whipping through what might be the university's cloisters, though it remains to be confirmed.

Still, King's College was one filming location used in England, particularly the Cambridge campus. Oppenheimer didn't attend King's College, but he did study at Christ's College in the same city.

The Sierra Madre Home in California

In May 2022, news emerged that the Sierra Madre home, built in 1904, was partially used to film "Oppenheimer." The film crew turned one of the upstairs bedrooms into Oppenheimer's bedroom.

Scenes were also shot in the house's large living room and "nearly half-acre" of the cul-de-sac lot. The house is a Cultural Heritage Commission-designated historical landmark that sold for over $1.5 million in 2014. In May 2022, it was listed for $3.188 million.

'Oppenheimer' Is Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy's Sixth Collaboration

Speaking of working with Nolan, Murphy affectionately declared, "I'll always turn up for Chris, whatever the size of the part. Chris will call me up, and I'm there." The pair began working together in the mid-2000s, with their first film collaboration being 2005's "Batman Begins."

Murphy starred as Dr. Jonathan Crane, a.k.a., Scarecrow. He reprised his role in 2008's "The Dark Knight." In 2010, Murphy appeared as Robert Fischer in Nolan's "Inception," which also starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Elliot Page.

He returned as Scarecrow in 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises" with Christian Bale. In 2017, Nolan and Murphy collaborated in the historical drama, "Dunkirk" before reuniting for "Oppenheimer."