‘Barbenheimer’ Had Incredible Box Office Momentum in its First Week
It was an electrifying week for moviegoers as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” joined forces to deliver a box office spectacle. The two highly anticipated films made a combined total of over $368 million in their first week in domestic theatres, solidifying their status as major blockbuster hits.
Greta Gerwig’s stunning doll adaptation, “Barbie,” dazzled audiences and raked in an impressive $258 million, as reported by Warner Bros., the production company behind the movie. Throughout the week, it held the top spot, amassing an average of $24 million per day, which surged to $29 million on Friday.
Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s existential biopic, “Oppenheimer,” grossed a remarkable $128 million, with an average of $11 million per weekday and $13.4 million on Friday, according to media analytics company Comscore.
Observers note that both films have defied box office norms, maintaining strong momentum even after their massive opening weekends. Usually, movies experience a significant drop in ticket sales midweek after the initial excitement wears off, but “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” continued to perform exceptionally well.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, expressed admiration for the films’ outstanding performance, stating that this midweek box office success rivalled typical weekend numbers.
“The strongest measure of a film’s success is the second weekend,” said Dergarabedian.
Projections for the second-weekend show “Barbie” earning around $94 million, while “Oppenheimer” is expected to bring in $46 million. These figures alone would still be considered exceptional for any opening weekend.
The films are also breaking records for second-weekend presales, according to The Boxoffice Company, which handles showtimes and ticketing for major platforms like Google, TikTok, IMDb, and Apple.
In addition to their individual triumphs, the success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” is fueling a resurgence in movie theatres, with analysts suggesting that this weekend could be one of the best holdover weekends since the release of “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
The movie industry is experiencing a remarkable revival, with over 150 theatre partners reporting this week as their best in domestic sales since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” premiered in December 2021.
The synergy between “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” has been a driving force behind their collective triumph, and this cinematic moment is predicted to be analyzed and celebrated in the realms of film, business, and marketing for years to come. The powerful impact of these two films on pop culture will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the entertainment world.
