Oppenheimer 4K Ultra HD Discs Sell Out Everywhere Following Movie’s $950M Run

Oppenheimer 4K Ultra HD discs are sold out everywhere, and Universal is working to replenish the stock at retailers. The latest film from the visionary director Christopher Nolan thrusts audiences into the mind of the brilliant physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) whose landmark work on the Manhattan Project created the first atomic bomb. After making $951 million at the box office to become the third-highest-grossing film of 2023, Oppenheimer was released on 4K and Blu-ray on November 21.

Now, after being on sale for one week, Oppenheimer 4K Ultra HD discs are sold out everywhere. Amazon is currently sold out of both the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD discs, while a Best Buy-exclusive 4K steel book is also sold out and selling for $80-$200 secondhand on eBay. In response, Universal released a statement (via The Wrap) saying they are working hard to replenish the stock at retailers:

We are happy so many consumers are embracing Oppenheimer in 4K Ultra HD and understand that some retailers may currently be out of stock. Universal is working to replenish those retailers quickly so fans can watch the film at home in the best picture quality possible.

Why Oppenheimer 4K Ultra HD Discs Are Sold Out Everywhere

Leading up to its theatrical release on July 21, Nolan was very vocal about how the best way to experience Oppenheimer in theaters was IMAX 70mm. As a result, those tickets sold out fast, and second-hand prices skyrocketed to over $1,000 on third-party sites like Craigslist and eBay. Now, in a strikingly similar situation, Nolan has also been vocal about how Blu-ray and 4K are the best way to watch Oppenheimer at home. As director Paul Thomas Anderson says, “When a filmmaker as strong as Chris is pointing a finger at you and telling you where to go… you listen.”

Nolan and his team put a lot of time and energy into Oppenheimer‘s home release in order to optimize its picture quality and sound. As Universal explains, 4K Ultra HD is the best way to watch Oppenheimer at home because it provides “the best picture quality possible.” However, Nolan says owning a physical copy of the film is also important “so no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.”

Nolan’s jab refers to the recent trend of movies and TV shows being removed from streaming services, which is why owning physical media is becoming increasingly important. But simultaneously, Best Buy has announced it will stop selling physical media starting sometime in 2024, with Target rumored to follow suit. Oppenheimer 4K Ultra HD discs selling out everywhere is proof that physical media is still alive, and reason enough for retailers to reverse course.