Highest Grossing Film of 2023 So Far
The Barbie film has emerged as the biggest film of the year in the US and Canada, raking in an estimated $155 million (£120 million) in its opening weekend, according to distributor Warner Bros. At the same time, Universal Pictures’ new release, Oppenheimer, made an impressive $93.7 million (£72 million) in the US. These successful releases come amid the struggling cinema industry, which is facing competition from streaming services.
Barbie’s Success Resonates in the UK
In the UK, Vue cinemas reported their busiest weekend in four years, driven by the popularity of both films. Vue’s screenings for Barbie were almost entirely sold out, and the film is on track to become the biggest of 2023, surpassing Super Mario Bros. The Barbie film saw half a million people flock to Vue screens, with particular success in sites such as Cambridge, Glasgow St Enoch, Leeds Kirkstall, Bolton, Islington in London, and Bolton.
The Plot of Oppenheimer and Barbie
Oppenheimer revolves around the development of the first atomic bomb, featuring Cillian Murphy and directed by Christopher Nolan. On the other hand, Barbie tells a coming-of-age story of the iconic children’s character, exploring her identity and encouraging her friend Ken to embrace individuality. The two films were released on the same day, sparking social media banter dubbing the competition “Barbenheimer.”
Barbie’s Global Success and Audience Reception
The success of Barbie extended beyond North America, with its worldwide debut raking in an impressive $337 million (£293 million). Audiences praised the film’s timeless appeal and captivating ideas, with some expressing a desire to re-watch the film multiple times. The pre-sale ticket purchases for Barbie at Odeon in the UK exceeded 200,000, and it was expected that around 10,000 filmgoers would see both Barbie and Oppenheimer during the opening weekend.
Oppenheimer’s Strong Performance
While Barbie dominated the box office, Oppenheimer also enjoyed success, earning £8.05 million in the UK and Ireland since its release. Universal Pictures projected a promising opening three days for the film, placing it ahead of other blockbusters by Christopher Nolan.
Despite these successes, the cinema industry still faces challenges. Earlier in July, the premiere of Oppenheimer was affected by strike action over concerns about the encroachment of artificial intelligence in film production and writing. Nevertheless, the box office performance of both Barbie and Oppenheimer signifies the audience’s enduring appetite for compelling and captivating cinema experiences.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Parade
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