This 1986 film takes a slightly different, more fictionalized approach to the atomic theme. 'The Manhattan Project' follows a brilliant high school student who decides to build his own nuclear bomb for a science fair project, inadvertently exposing a government conspiracy. While not directly about the historical project or Oppenheimer, it touches on the accessibility and danger of nuclear technology in a thrilling, albeit less historically grounded, narrative.

Based on the Tom Clancy novel, 'The Sum of All Fears' brings the threat of nuclear weapons into the post-Cold War era with a terrifying scenario involving a lost Soviet bomb and a plot to ignite a conflict between the U.S. and Russia. Starring Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan and Morgan Freeman, the film explores the dangers of nuclear proliferation and the potential for catastrophic miscalculation. It's a tense political thriller that serves as a modern reminder of the enduring peril posed by nuclear devices.

Made by the BBC in the mid-1960s but initially banned by the network for being too horrifying, 'The War Game' is a docudrama that simulates a nuclear attack on Britain. Director Peter Watkins employs a pseudo-documentary style to portray the immediate chaos, lack of preparedness, and the grim realities of trying to survive in the aftermath. It's a stark, impactful, and historically significant film that highlighted the terrifying consequences of nuclear war long before 'Threads', influencing public perception and debate.

Prepare for a truly bleak and unflinching depiction of nuclear war's aftermath with the British television film 'Threads'. Unlike more action-oriented portrayals, this docudrama meticulously follows the experiences of two families in Sheffield, England, before, during, and long after a nuclear exchange. It focuses on the collapse of society, infrastructure, and the slow, agonizing decline of survivors. 'Threads' is renowned for its stark realism and remains one of the most powerful and disturbing films ever made about the consequences of nuclear conflict.

Leave it to Stanley Kubrick to find dark humor in the potential for nuclear annihilation. 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' is a brilliant satire that skewers the logic and madness of Cold War nuclear strategy. Featuring Peter Sellers in multiple iconic roles, the film escalates from a rogue general's attack order to a doomsday scenario with hilarious and terrifying precision. It's a timeless comedy that perfectly captures the absurd anxieties of living under the shadow of mutually assured destruction.

Alain Resnais's groundbreaking film 'Hiroshima Mon Amour' is a poetic and philosophical exploration of memory, love, and the lingering trauma of war. Set in post-war Hiroshima, it tells the story of a French actress and a Japanese architect who have a brief affair. Through their dialogue and fragmented flashbacks, the film grapples with the inability to truly comprehend or forget the horrors of the atomic bombing, contrasting personal pain with collective historical trauma. It’s a deeply artistic and emotional response to the aftermath of nuclear destruction.

While not solely about the atomic bomb's creation, Errol Morris's documentary 'The Fog of War' offers profound insights into 20th-century conflict and the nuclear age through the perspective of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. McNamara reflects on his experiences during pivotal moments like the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the world came terrifyingly close to nuclear war. His eleven lessons from his life offer a unique and often unsettling view on warfare, decision-making, and the immense power held by a few individuals over global destruction. A thought-provoking companion to understanding the context in which nuclear weapons have shaped geopolitics.

Explore the awe-inspiring and terrifying history of nuclear weapons testing with this documentary. 'Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie' compiles declassified footage of atomic and hydrogen bomb tests conducted by the United States, set to a powerful score. Narrated by William Shatner, it provides a visual history of the escalating power of these devices, from the Trinity test to multi-megaton hydrogen bombs. It’s a stark reminder of the destructive force unleashed by the Manhattan Project.

Experience the devastating human impact of the atomic bomb through the eyes of a child in this critically acclaimed anime film. 'Barefoot Gen' is a harrowing, yet ultimately hopeful, story based on the autobiographical manga of Keiji Nakazawa, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima. It offers a raw and unflinching depiction of the immediate aftermath – the destruction, suffering, and struggle for survival – providing a crucial counterpoint to the scientific and political narratives surrounding the bomb's creation. A powerful and moving testament to resilience.

Prepare for a journey through the early years of the atomic age in America, presented entirely through archival footage. 'The Atomic Cafe' is a darkly humorous yet sobering compilation of government propaganda films, newsreels, and civil defense announcements from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. It reveals the bizarre ways the public was encouraged to prepare for nuclear war, highlighting the era's unique blend of fear and naive optimism. It's an essential, unfiltered look at how the atomic bomb permeated American culture and consciousness.

This historical drama takes you right into the heart of the secretive Los Alamos laboratory during World War II. 'Fat Man and Little Boy' dramatically portrays the intense pressure, ethical conflicts, and clashing personalities involved in the race to build the first atomic bomb. With Paul Newman as General Leslie Groves and Dwight Schultz as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film captures the immense stakes and the human cost of the Manhattan Project. It's a compelling look at the scientific and military endeavor that changed the world forever.

Dive deep into the mind and work of the 'father of the atomic bomb' with this powerful documentary. 'The Day After Trinity' offers a truly insightful look at J. Robert Oppenheimer, from his leadership of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos to his complex post-war life and security clearance hearing. It features fascinating interviews with those who knew him, including scientists and colleagues, providing a poignant and human perspective on the immense responsibility and moral dilemmas faced by the creators of the atomic age. A must-watch for anyone wanting to understand the man behind the myth and the dawn of the nuclear era.