The Ultimate Guide to Barbenheimer: Unveiling the Most Epic Movie Event of the Year

After a long wait, the highly anticipated movie event of the year, Barbenheimer, is just around the corner.

For those unfamiliar with this title, consider yourself lucky! Your internet usage hasn't yet caused lasting damage to your brain chemistry. In essence, Barbenheimer, also known as Boppenheimer, is a double feature presenting the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer. Both films will be released in theaters on Friday, July 21.

Barbenheimer, which started as an internet sensation, is now seeing its memes turning into real-world achievements. Just two weeks prior to the release of the two films, AMC Theatres announced that over 20,000 tickets for both movies were sold in advance, all for the same day. And within a week, that number had doubled to 40,000.

Barbie is expected to make a grand opening with a projected $110 million in its first weekend, as shared by Puck cofounder Matthew Belloni. On the other hand, Oppenheimer is predicted to bring in $49 million. "This might be just the beginning," remarked Elizabeth Frank, an executive at AMC Theatres, to Variety on Monday, July 17th.

But how did Barbenheimer become such a big deal? Allow We to explain.

What Is Barbenheimer?

‘Barbie.’ Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube

Barbenheimer refers to the combined release of Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer on July 21, 2023. These two films have no similarities or overlaps, except for their shared release date. It can be assumed that both Universal, the producer of Oppenheimer, and Warner Bros., the producer of Barbie, wanted to avoid competing with Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, which premiered on July 12.

Why Is Barbenheimer a Thing?

There is no definitive answer for the widespread appeal of a Barbie and Oppenheimer double feature among movie fans, although numerous theories exist. The stark contrast between the two films is perhaps the most apparent reason. Oppenheimer portrays a somber and introspective narrative about the creator of a humanity-threatening weapon, while Barbie embodies a vibrant world of pink, glitter, and includes John Cena as a Mermaid Ken. Nolan, the master of grand and serious epics, directs Oppenheimer, while Gerwig, renowned for her female-centric masterpieces like Lady Bird, takes the helm of Barbie. Oppenheimer represents darkness, while Barbie exudes lightness, and this simple dichotomy has been enough to ignite the internet's meme creativity.

Do Barbenheimer Actors Know About Barbenheimer?

Seemingly, yes. In June, Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the stars of Barbie, were photographed in front of an Oppenheimer poster proudly showcasing their tickets for the competing movie. Alongside photos of them with tickets to Mission: Impossible and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the Oppenheimer snap held utmost significance.

In addition, Cillian Murphy, who portrays Robert Oppenheimer in Nolan's film, expressed his enthusiasm for the double release and confirmed his intention to watch Barbie. "I can't wait to see it," he told IGN just days before the Barbenheimer release. "Having two remarkable films from exceptional filmmakers come out on the same day is fantastic for the industry and the audience. You can spend the whole day at the cinema — what could be better?"

Reports were circulating that Nolan was upset about his film being in competition with Barbie. However, he later clarified that this was not the case. In a recent interview with IGN, Nolan stated, "In a healthy marketplace, summer is always crowded, and we've been doing this for a long time. As movie enthusiasts, we've been eagerly waiting for a crowded marketplace again, and now that it's here, it's fantastic."

What’s the Best Order to Watch Barbenheimer?

‘Oppenheimer.’ Universal Pictures/YouTube

This is a contentious topic within the community of Barbenheimer enthusiasts, with some arguing that using the term "Barbieheimer" implies a preference for Barbie as the initial focus, while "Oppenbarbie" suggests starting with Nolan. To make a decision, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you prefer to begin your day with a lighthearted comedy or a three-hour epic exploring humanity's impending demise? Would you rather conclude your evening with the impact of an atomic bomb or Ryan Gosling in a denim vest? It is an impossible choice that each person must make individually. (As for this reporter, a boozy brunch screening of Barbie, followed by a meal break and an evening viewing of Oppenheimer, has been chosen.)

Can I Buy Barbenheimer Merch?

Officially, no, but unofficially, definitely. Numerous variations of Barbenheimer T-shirts can be found online, including a unique one featuring a combination of the two movies' logos on the front, with a pink and black split design. One particular design portrays Barbie in a swimsuit, observing a distant nuclear explosion, while another showcases Robbie and Murphy greeting each other in their respective character costumes on a film set.

How Is Tom Cruise Involved?

The seventh installment of Mission: Impossible was released in theaters a week before Barbenheimer. However, there were reports suggesting that Cruise was displeased because his new movie would lose its IMAX screens to Oppenheimer just nine days after its release. Despite this, Cruise publicly showed support for both Oppenheimer and Barbie by sharing pictures of himself with tickets to each film, as well as Indiana Jones. In a tweet earlier this month, he expressed his excitement for the incredible movies to see in theaters this summer, congratulating Harrison Ford on 40 years of Indy and praising the explosive and vibrant experience of a double feature with Oppenheimer and Barbie.