Title: Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” Shatters Box Office Records with Huge Opening Weekend
Subtitle: Warner Bros. Discovery’s “Barbie” sees massive success and revitalizes movie theaters amidst industry challenges
Los Angeles, CA – In a stunning turn of events, director Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated film “Barbie” has dominated the box office, raking in a whopping $70.5 million on its opening day. The all-pink fantasy extravaganza, which marks Mattel’s first foray into the film industry, has secured the top spot for the biggest opening of any film in 2023 thus far.
The impressive figure, reported by Variety, surpasses the previous record held by “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” which earned $51.8 million on its opening day in June. “Barbie” achieved this feat by amassing $22.2 million during its preview on Thursday, followed by a staggering $42.8 million on Friday, playing in 4,243 theaters nationwide.
Anticipation for “Barbie” has been sky-high, fueled by an intense marketing campaign that included a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse in Malibu and lucrative licensing deals with fast-food chains. The film’s immense box office success is a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts.
If “Barbie” meets its projected three-day opening weekend total of at least $155 million, it will surpass “Super Mario Bros.” as the biggest debut of 2023. Moreover, it has the potential to achieve the largest-ever opening weekend for a female director, cementing Greta Gerwig’s name in Hollywood history.
Featuring an all-star cast that includes Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Simu Liu, “Barbie” is a whimsical tale that appeals to audiences of all ages. The story revolves around Barbie and Ken’s quest to experience the real world.
The success of “Barbie” was not the only highlight of the weekend. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a darker historical drama exploring the development of the atomic bomb, also commanded attention with an impressive $33 million opening. Starring Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer” is on track to become one of the highest-grossing opening weekends for an R-rated film.
In a delightful twist, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” shared the same release date, leading fans to nickname the day as “Barbenheimer.” A staggering 200,000 individuals purchased advanced tickets to see both films, showcasing the enthusiasm of moviegoers eager to return to theaters for a summer movie spectacle.
While the success of these two films has injected new life and excitement into Hollywood and movie theaters, the industry still faces significant challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in theater attendance, with ticket sales down 20% since 2019. The underperformance of highly anticipated franchise releases such as “Indiana Jones” and “Mission Impossible” has raised concerns about the waning appeal of blockbuster movies.
Adding to these challenges, Hollywood is grappling with major strikes by writers and actors, halting scripted production and hampering content creation for the foreseeable future. Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian emphasized the urgency of resolving these strikes, as the industry heavily relies on the collective efforts of creative professionals.
With the strikes looming, the tremendous success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” has invigorated the film industry. Nevertheless, industry insiders and audiences alike are left wondering what lies ahead for Hollywood. As studios navigate these unprecedented challenges, the future of cinema remains uncertain.
– Michael George contributed to this report.
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Written by Simrin Singh, social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.