“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” Break Box Office Records with Combined Success
New York (CNN) — Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated film, “Barbie,” had a remarkable opening weekend, raking in a staggering $155 million domestically, according to Comscore. This impressive performance has made it the biggest opening weekend of 2023 so far.
The release of “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which has been dubbed “Barbenheimer,” has become a pop culture sensation. The combined success of both movies is expected to contribute to a $300 million industry weekend in the US and Canada alone, as predicted by Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
“Oppenheimer” also had a strong opening weekend, earning $80.5 million domestically. Both movies exceeded earlier predictions, doubling expectations, according to Dergarabedian.
The success of these two films is unprecedented. Not only did they perform exceptionally well individually, but they also benefited from the “Barbenheimer” trend, as they helped each other attract more viewers, said Dergarabedian.
Dergarabedian also highlighted the contrasting trajectories of the two movies. “Barbie” is a commercial blockbuster, while “Oppenheimer” is a three-hour historical drama. Both are considered homerun hits, and they are expected to continue performing well in the coming weeks, he added.
“Barbie” earned $70.5 million in North American theaters on Friday, including the Thursday pre-shows. This puts the film on track to become the biggest domestic start for a female-directed movie. The closest comparison is “Wonder Woman” in 2017, directed by Patty Jenkins, which made approximately $38 million on opening day, according to Box Office Mojo. “Barbie” was distributed by Warner Bros., which is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company.
Preview showings of “Barbie” brought in an additional $22.3 million, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. This further solidifies the film’s success.
Despite “Barbie’s” triumph, “Oppenheimer” also had a remarkable opening, earning $33 million on its first day. This is a significant accomplishment for director Christopher Nolan, surpassing the opening day numbers of his previous hits like “Inception” and “Dunkirk.”
Before “Barbie,” the movie with the biggest opening of 2023 was “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which earned $146.3 million domestically.
The success of these two movies can be attributed in part to a social media-driven campaign that encouraged viewers to see both films in a double-feature experience, creating the Barbenheimer phenomenon. This phenomenon has the potential to rejuvenate the struggling movie industry, which has seen underwhelming box office numbers for some summer releases, such as “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”
According to Sheri Lambert, a marketing professor at Temple University, “Barbie” and the toy itself bring a sense of fun and escapism that people are seeking. Mattel, the company behind the Barbie franchise, is known for its nostalgia marketing, which taps into people’s fond memories of the past and generates excitement for movies that transport them back in time.
The remarkable success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” not only showcases the power of storytelling and cinematic experiences but also demonstrates the potential for collaboration and mutual support within the movie industry. As these films continue to captivate audiences, they are likely to leave a lasting impact on the industry and pave the way for future blockbusters.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-23 15:38:00
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