Barbie's Box Office Domination Steals the Show: Oppenheimer's Gross Left in the Dust
Barbie and Oppenheimer both opened on July 21, but Barbie is set to dominate the box office battle this weekend, showcasing its strength Oppenheimer, however, shouldn't be underestimated as it promises to give a tough competition
Summary
Strong Audience Interest in Barbie's Comedy Shows Box Office Success with $22.5 Million EarningsIn contrast, Christopher Nolan's Biographical Thriller Directed by Oppenheimer Earns Merely $10.5 Million on the Same Day, Lagging Behind Barbie in Preview Results.
The box office showdown between Barbie and Oppenheimer, both hitting theaters on July 21, has commenced with Barbie claiming an early advantage in terms of ticket sales. Barbie, a hilarious film helmed by Greta Gerwig, revolves around the beloved doll (portrayed by Margot Robbie) who embarks on an adventure in the real world alongside her partner Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) when unexpected events pose a threat to her idyllic existence in Barbie Land. Meanwhile, Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, delves into a gripping biographical thriller recounting the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (portrayed by Cillian Murphy) and his pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Per Variety, the Barbie box office pulled in an astonishing $22.5 million during its Thursday previews at the domestic box office. This figure is more than twice Oppenheimer's gross of $10.5 million on the same day. Additionally, Barbie has set a new record for the highest preview gross of any movie this summer, surpassing the previous record held by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which earned $17.5 million.
Barbie Will Win The Weekend, But Oppenheimer Is No Slouch
Barbie continues to maintain a substantial lead over Oppenheimer, as predicted by early projections. These initial findings only confirm what we already knew – Barbie's success is all but certain. There are several contributing factors that ensure Barbie secures the top spot over the Nolan movie. One such factor is the fact that Barbie is built upon a well-established intellectual property. Furthermore, Barbie's PG-13 rating broadens its appeal to audience members spanning across different age groups, unlike Oppenheimer which is limited to an R-rated audience.
Barbie is projected to be one of the top movies of the year, surpassing other films in presale ticket sales. Its popularity is comparable to the record-breaking Avatar: The Way of Water released in 2022. Despite opening at No. 2, the Oppenheimer box office is performing remarkably well for a three-hour R-rated drama, surpassing previous hits like John Wick: Chapter 4 and Nolan's Dunkirk.
With an anticipated opening weekend revenue of $50 million, Oppenheimer is expected to become the 27th highest-grossing domestic movie of the year within just three days. It has already surpassed the total earnings of films like No Hard Feelings, The Boogeyman, and Knock at the Cabin released to date. Despite being overshadowed by Barbie, this is still a significant achievement for both movies.
Source: Variety
