Greta Gerwig’s eagerly-awaited Barbie movie has hit the ground running, raking in an astonishing $70.5 million on its first day, including $22.3 million from preview showings. Projections for Barbie’s domestic opening are soaring over $155 million, a territory usually reserved for male-centric superhero movies or power-packed franchises like Harry Potter.
Some speculations even suggest the film might cross the $160 million mark, though Warner Bros. cautiously anticipates an opening of $150 million or more, considering a potential dip in Saturday viewership.
The live-action adaptation of Mattel’s iconic fashion doll, Barbie, is not just captivating domestic audiences. It’s also making a splash internationally, with predictions for the opening weekend revenue reaching $120 million.
Historical Drama Oppenheimer Also Strikes Gold
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, a historical drama about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the development of the atomic bomb, is carving its niche at the box office. The film fetched $33 million on Friday, aiming for a weekend gross of around $77 million. If these numbers hold, Oppenheimer will secure a place as Nolan’s third-largest domestic opening, trailing behind The Dark Knight Rises ($160.9 million) and The Dark Knight ($158.4 million), without adjusting for inflation.
Internationally, Oppenheimer is flexing its muscle with an impressive opening of $88.9 million. The double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer is a welcome boon for the movie industry, which is still nursing the wounds of the pandemic. As per The Hollywood Reporter, due to the #Barbenheimer effect, it is the first instance in history that a single three-day weekend has witnessed one movie opening to $100 million or more and another to $50 million or more.
This weekend’s total ticket sales are expected to eclipse $300 million, a milestone last reached by Avengers: Endgame. This resurgence in box office numbers offers relief amidst the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strike, which has caused anxiety in Hollywood and sparked concerns among theatre owners about potential delays in film releases.
Films from Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan have sparked a renewed celebration of cinema, reminding everyone of the big screen’s enchantment and the thrill of experiencing stories on the grandest scale as the box office bounces back to life.
