With the dual release of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” this past weekend, movie theaters around the country experienced a remarkable surge in business, arguably the most significant since the pandemic began. “Barbie” earned an impressive $162 million at the box office, while “Oppenheimer” followed closely with $82 million. Affectionately dubbed “Barbenheimer” (a clever fusion of the two film titles said for the first time by Next Best Picture’s Matt Neglia in the spring of last year), this cultural phenomenon has transcended the realm of dedicated film lovers, captivating a much broader audience and even earning its own Wikipedia page. Undoubtedly, “Barbenheimer” has provided a much-needed revival for movie theaters in the age of streaming, but its success wasn’t always a foregone conclusion.
Initially, there was much speculation and concern surrounding the simultaneous release of these two major films. Questions arose about how such a move would impact both productions. In this analysis, we will delve into how the situation unfolded and discover how, in the end, it not only proved beneficial for both films but also for the movie theater industry as a whole.
This duality finds its origins in the challenging year of 2020, a time most of us would prefer to forget. During that period, Christopher Nolan took a firm stance on the release of his new film “Tenet,” insisting that it be exclusively screened in theaters to support the struggling industry. Despite facing strong opposition from his longtime studio partner Warner Brothers, Nolan’s release strategy was ultimately perceived as a failure, leading him to seek another studio to handle the distribution of his next project.
Enter “Oppenheimer,” Nolan’s adult drama biopic centered around the Manhattan Project and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. Universal Studios stepped up to the plate, eager to please the acclaimed director known for his films’ box office success and awards recognition.
As the world cautiously emerged from the pandemic, work on Warner Bros’ highly anticipated project “Barbie” gained momentum under the skilled direction of acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig and featuring A-list actor Margot Robbie in the lead role. The excitement escalated as leaked photos from the Los Angeles filming location started circulating on social media, generating a buzz around the iconic doll’s transformation on the big screen. With each subsequent cast announcement revealing the involvement of top-tier actors like Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae, and Kate McKinnon, it became evident that “Barbie” was destined to be a star-studded ensemble flick, creating immense anticipation among audiences.
Likewise, “Oppenheimer” commenced production around the same time, boasting a similarly impressive ensemble cast. Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh joined the project, signaling that Christopher Nolan aimed to create a grand-scale event film, a feat he had hoped to achieve with “Tenet.” In a significant development, Universal announced the film’s release date as July 21st, 2023, in October of 2021.
In April 2022, Warner Bros made a surprising announcement that their mega-blockbuster “Barbie” would also be released on the same day. The timing of this revelation raised eyebrows, with some perceiving it as a possible petty move by Warner Bros, given their strained relationship with Nolan. Online, film enthusiasts attempted to rationalize the decision as a form of “counterprogramming,” a strategy commonly employed to release two thematically distinct films simultaneously, catering to diverse audiences. Despite these justifications, skepticism, and concern loomed around Warner Bros’ choice of release date.
With Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan being acclaimed and Academy-friendly directors, fans wasted no time finding humor in the situation. Memes quickly flooded the internet, joking about the prospect of watching both films on the same day and the stark tonal shift between the two. However, this light-hearted banter soon led to a more optimistic outlook. Film enthusiasts began encouraging the idea that there was no need for competition between the two movies and that both could thrive without hindering the success of the other.
As the year progressed, the anticipation remained cautious but hopeful. More memes and playful content emerged in the months leading up to the films’ release, encouraging moviegoers to embrace the joy of experiencing both movies. Fans shared ideas about outfit changes, planning entire day schedules, and even creating “Oppenheimer” girlfriend and “Barbie” boyfriend” pictures, all in good fun. Fan-made posters also began circulating, generating further excitement and attention for the dual releases.
As of June 9th, 2023, early box office opening weekend projections indicated that “Barbie” was expected to earn $45M-$55M, while “Oppenheimer” was projected to make $30M-$35M. These figures demonstrated that both films were likely to be mutually successful in their own right, reinforcing the idea that there was room for both movies to flourish side by side.
The hype surrounding “Barbenheimer” only continued to escalate. News of both films quickly spread to a much broader audience, capturing the attention of casual filmgoers and general audiences alike, who were now eager to embark on a double feature of these highly anticipated movies during opening weekend. What initially appeared to be a potential competition between the two films swiftly transformed into a mutually beneficial relationship, with the success of one movie contributing to the triumph of the other. This synergy encouraged many to turn their day at the local multiplex into a special event.
The well-executed strategy paid off handsomely. Both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were met with critical acclaim, with an astounding 90% and 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively. Additionally, both films received an impressive “A” CinemaScore. The positive reception from critics and audiences further fueled their commercial triumph, as both movies achieved remarkable financial success.
This cultural phenomenon arrives at an especially crucial time in the entertainment industry. Simultaneously, both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) are embroiled in a strike sparked by disputes over residuals and compensation from major studios partnering with streaming services. The widespread adoption of streaming as a release strategy during the pandemic resulted in the absence of a proper pay scale for the creators involved. This led to disproportionate studio profits and reduced payouts to the creative talent behind the works.
In stark contrast, “Barbenheimer” showcased the immense potential of theatrical releases, proving that they can still be immensely successful and appeal not only to dedicated film enthusiasts but also to general audiences. Reports of sold-out multiplexes for both films throughout their opening weekend became commonplace, solidifying “Barbenheimer” as one of the largest theatrical events since pre-pandemic blockbusters like “Avengers: Endgame.” This resounding success in the theater-going experience serves as a reminder of the value and allure of in-person cinema, even in the face of the streaming era’s prominence.
What could have easily devolved into a massive disaster and bitter rivalry between two entirely different films remarkably transformed into a joyous celebration of both, becoming a resounding success for the movie industry as a whole. Rather than fostering a divisive environment where die-hard fans rigidly aligned with one side, audiences chose to embrace both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” fostering a sense of unity in the often polarizing realm of the internet and social media.
The infusion of fun and memes played a significant role in shaping this cultural event into what it ultimately became. Instead of tearing down one film to elevate the other, fans recognized the mutual benefits of supporting both creations, allowing both movies to thrive and reap considerable rewards. This heartening outcome showcased the power of collaboration and collective enthusiasm, demonstrating that even in an age of heightened competition, the film industry can flourish when audiences unite to celebrate the diverse array of cinematic experiences on offer.
Did you see both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” this weekend? Which one did you watch first? What were your thoughts on both? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our Twitter account. Thank you!
You can follow Tyler and hear more of his thoughts on the Oscars and Film on Twitter at @tylerjon7
