'Barbie' vs 'Oppenheimer': An enthralling box office race

Films are doing exceptionally well in terms of numbers

The summer movie season has seen a much-needed boost with the spectacular box office openings of two highly anticipated films - Barbie and Oppenheimer. Warner Bros.' Barbie, a fantastical franchise based on the iconic Mattel doll, directed by Greta Gerwig, and Universal's historical drama Oppenheimer, directed by the renowned Christopher Nolan, have both exceeded expectations, capturing the hearts of audiences and critics alike.

Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, Barbie has proven to be a resounding success at the box office. According to Deadline, the film opened with a record-breaking $22.2 million in preview ticket sales on Thursday, followed by an impressive $48.2 million on Friday, bringing its total to $70.5 million. These figures make it the biggest opening day of 2023, surpassing even the popular Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

As the weekend progresses, Barbie is on track for an estimated $150 million to $160 million debut, cementing its position as the highest-grossing opening of the year. Audiences have been captivated by Gerwig's imaginative direction, Robbie's star power, and the bold, campy charm of the film. The nostalgic appeal of the beloved doll combined with the multifaceted narrative has garnered widespread appreciation.

The film's ensemble cast, which includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, and others, has also contributed to its success, making it one of the best all-time openings for a female-skewing movie. With a strong presence of 68% female audience viewership, Barbie follows in the footsteps of successful films like Beauty and the Beast, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and Captain Marvel.

Led by the talented Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer delves into the life of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his pivotal role in developing the first atomic bomb. The film opened with $33 million in previews on Thursday night and has continued to impress, earning $25.8 million on Saturday.

Oppenheimer is projected to achieve a remarkable $80 million opening weekend, which is an extraordinary feat for an adult drama. Audiences have embraced the film like a comic-book movie, with fervent fans dressing up as characters from both Barbie and Oppenheimer in theaters. The film's gripping narrative, stellar performances, and Christopher Nolan's signature style have drawn comparisons to classics like Interstellar, Taxi Driver, and The Godfather.

The presence of Murphy, who has been lauded as a "genius," has further heightened anticipation for the film. Social media is abuzz with praise for Nolan's latest venture, with many declaring it his "magnum opus." Oppenheimer is poised to become one of Nolan's most successful openings, just behind The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

With the extraordinary success of both Barbie and Oppenheimer, the overall box office is expected to reach a whopping $300 million for the weekend. The films' strong performances have delighted studios and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting and fruitful summer movie season.

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