“Barbie” blew up the box office on its opening weekend. The long-anticipated and much-hyped PG comedy broke records with a domestic haul of $162 million and $356 million worldwide. Based on the iconic Mattel doll, Warner Bros’ “Barbie” delivers a whimsical adventure about self-discovery.
No other film came close to its tally, not even the R-rated and possible Oscar contender, “Oppenheimer.” However, the drama brought in an impressive $82 million at the U.S. box office on its debut and $180 million globally. The film centers on theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, considered the father of the atomic bomb.
The films created such buzz they became a cultural phenomenon known as “Barbenheimer.” Moviegoers made pacts to see both films or with friends. Some even paid tribute to the films by dressing-up in outfits from the 1940’s for “Oppenheimer” and the color pink for “Barbie.”
Together the top films surpassed $500 million worldwide. “Barbie” broke a number of records including biggest debut launch of 2023 and biggest opening for a female-directed film. The director is Greta Gerwig.
Rounding out the top five at the weekend box office, the thriller, “Sound of Freedom,” earned $19.8 million, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” brought in $19.4 million and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” with $6.7 million.
