Pierre T.
**LEGIONS OF FANS MAKE “BARBENHEIMER” A BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND**
There was an incredible turnout of Barbie-core and biopic enthusiasts at theaters this past weekend for the release of “Barbenheimer,” and one performance in particular stole the show. Greta Gerwig’s film “Barbie” has broken numerous records, including the highest opening weekend box office for a film directed by a woman in the US, surpassing the previous record set by Anna Boden’s “Captain Marvel.” The movie raked in an impressive $155 million domestically over the weekend, according to Business Wire.
Warner Bros. Pictures president of domestic distribution, Jeff Goldstein, expressed his excitement about the overwhelming response to “Barbie”: “The massive, overwhelming response we’ve seen out there proves what we’ve known from the beginning: that ‘Barbie’ is not only an incredibly special film, but clearly the theatrical event of the summer, if not the year. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of it, and congratulate everyone involved in this brilliant labor of love.”
In addition to its domestic success, “Barbie” also claimed the title of highest-grossing domestic opening weekend of 2023, surpassing the previous record held by “The Super Mario Bros Movie.” The film went on to earn a remarkable $337 million in combined worldwide box office sales. However, there were no losers this weekend, as Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” also exceeded industry expectations, earning $174.2 million worldwide, with $80.5 million coming from the domestic market, according to AVClub.
The combined success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” contributed to this weekend being the fourth-biggest box office weekend in US history, not driven by Disney franchises such as “Star Wars” or “Marvel.” Both films broke several records individually as well. “Oppenheimer” became the highest-grossing biopic in terms of global opening day and weekend, surpassing “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” record. It also became Christopher Nolan’s third-highest-grossing opening weekend film, following “The Dark Knight Rises” and “The Dark Knight.”
These impressive figures demonstrate that the hype surrounding “Barbenheimer” was well-deserved. What started as a joke, with two films of contrasting tones sharing the same opening weekend, turned into an internet phenomenon. According to the National Association of Theater Owners, approximately 200,000 US moviegoers bought tickets to see both films on the same day. Instead of turning it into a “boys vs. girls” competition, viewers chose to support both movies, showcasing a wonderful celebration of cinema that doesn’t rely on multiversal superheroes or endless sequels.
In conclusion, the release of “Barbenheimer” exceeded all expectations, breaking records and captivating audiences. The success of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” demonstrates the power of diverse storytelling and talented filmmakers. The box office weekend was a testament to the love and passion for cinema from audiences around the world.
