The battle for box office supremacy has reached a fever pitch this year, and two films are leading the charge with unprecedented success. Greta Gerwig’s bold and subversive take on the iconic Mattel doll, Barbie, has taken the world by storm, shattering records and captivating audiences from the get-go. Variety reports that Barbie’s opening day has become the largest of 2023, raking in an astonishing $70.5 million, including Thursday night previews and Friday’s regular box office sales. This staggering figure has left even the likes of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse trailing in its wake.
Barbie’s rise to the top comes amidst an unpredictable box office landscape, with high-profile studio movies like The Flash and Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny falling short of expectations. But Barbie is no ordinary film; its genuine surge of interest has been building for months, with the internet buzzing with memes and Ken jokes well before its release.
Though Barbie is currently outshining its friendly rival, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, it faces a formidable opponent in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the reigning champion of the 2023 box office. The Mario adaptation enjoyed a slower start but quickly picked up momentum, especially in international markets, where it raked in over half of its billion-dollar-plus earnings.
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The question now for Barbie is whether it possesses the “Ken-ergy” to maintain its momentum and dominate the box office in the long run. Initial reviews have been generally positive, and fans (especially those online) seem genuinely excited about this refreshing take on the classic doll. But can it dethrone The Super Mario Bros. Movie and etch its name in cinema history? Only time will reveal the answer.
In the midst of this box office frenzy, theatres around the world are packed with eager moviegoers lining up for two blockbuster films simultaneously released. Alongside Barbie’s triumph, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has also made waves, scoring near-perfect ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the critical acclaim, it seems Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is poised to outshine the Cillian Murphy-led biopic, doubling its projected box office earnings.
The success of both Barbie and Oppenheimer has highlighted a growing trend—audiences craving fresh and original stories, moving away from the saturation of sequels and superhero films that have dominated recent years. Barbie’s opening weekend was initially estimated to earn $110 million in the US alone, but it has now set its sights on a staggering $150 million. Oppenheimer, on the other hand, was projected to collect $50 million, but it is now expected to reach $75 million.
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Christopher Nolan shared his thoughts on Oppenheimer, calling it the biggest film he’s ever made, a testament to its grand scale and impact. Meanwhile, Cillian Murphy admitted that watching himself on the big screen was a bit daunting, yet he acknowledged that the film was masterfully designed to be experienced with a captivated audience.
Despite the overwhelming success, Oppenheimer’s London premiere was cut short due to the looming SAG-AFTRA strike order, initiated just hours after the event. Nevertheless, both Barbie and Oppenheimer have defied expectations, showcasing the power of innovative storytelling and captivating performances that continue to draw audiences back to the magic of the big screen. As the year unfolds, one question remains: will the charm of Barbie or the epic drama of Oppenheimer ultimately reign supreme at the box office? Let the showdown begin!
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