In the world of movie showdowns, one of the most intriguing battles is about to take place. Filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is expected to open to strong numbers, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. However, the real winner could be the theatrical experience if both films perform well in the long run.
Both films are scheduled to hit theaters over the July 21-23 weekend, and industry insiders are already buzzing about the potential box office success. Barbie, produced by Warner Bros., is projected to open to an impressive $70 million to $80 million, with some sources even suggesting it could earn more. Warner Bros. is being slightly more cautious with their estimate, predicting a $60 million opening. The film is based on the iconic Mattel toy line and features Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken.
The Barbie movie has had a long and tumultuous journey from development to production. It was originally in development at Sony before moving to Warner Bros. However, in recent weeks, the film has gained significant traction on social media and in marketing efforts. Female-targeted films have a history of becoming summer blockbusters, as seen with Warner Bros.’ Sex and the City and Universal’s Mamma Mia! franchises. Barbie is almost guaranteed to be Greta Gerwig’s biggest film to date, adding to her already impressive filmography that includes Lady Bird and Little Women.
On the other hand, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is tracking for a domestic debut in the range of $40 million. The film, an R-rated, three-hour drama targeting adult audiences, is more concerned with its longevity in theaters rather than its opening weekend numbers. Still, a $40 million opening would be considered one of Nolan’s lowest, excluding last year’s Tenet, which opened during the height of the pandemic. It would also be his lowest opening since The Prestige in 2006, which premiered to $14.8 million.
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Nolan has experienced second place before, as was the case with his film Interstellar in 2014. The film opened behind Disney’s Big Hero 6 but went on to have a successful run in theaters and grossed over $700 million globally. Oppenheimer boasts an impressive cast, with Cillian Murphy in the lead role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, alongside talented actors like Emily Blunt and Matt Damon.
Making the showdown even more interesting is the early July release of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One. The highly-anticipated film will still be a major contender at the box office when Oppenheimer and Barbie hit theaters. It’s even possible that Oppenheimer could come in third during its opening weekend, behind Barbie and Mission: Impossible.
The success of these three blockbuster films, along with the recent release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, is crucial for the summer box office to make significant gains compared to last year. Tom Cruise himself has been advocating for fans to support the theatrical experience by watching Indy, Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Mission: Impossible.
In conclusion, the upcoming showdown between Barbie and Oppenheimer is shaping up to be one of the most interesting battles in recent movie history. Both films have the potential to be box office successes, and the real winner could be the theatrical experience itself. Moviegoers eagerly await the July 21-23 weekend to see how these films will perform and the impact they will have on the industry.
