Regina Hall says Girls Trip and Dunkirk was the Barbenheimer of its time

Regina Hall is looking back at the summer of 2017 and calling the unlikely box office pairing of Girls Trip and Dunkirk the original “Barbenheimer.” The actress reflected on how the two drastically different films were released around the same time and unexpectedly became a shared cultural moment for moviegoers.

Hall explained that audiences embraced the contrast between the two films, with Girls Trip offering raunchy comedy and joyful escapism while Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk delivered an intense, large-scale war drama. She noted that people were making a day of it, heading to theaters to experience both films despite their wildly different tones.

The actress, who starred alongside Tiffany Haddish, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith in Girls Trip, said the success of the comedy surprised many at the time. The film became a box office hit and cultural phenomenon, particularly for its celebration of friendship and Black joy, while Dunkirk dominated conversations for its technical mastery and emotional impact.

Hall pointed out that the shared success of the two movies mirrored what audiences later experienced with Barbie and Oppenheimer, proving that theatrical contrast can drive excitement rather than competition. She emphasized that both films benefited from strong word of mouth and repeat viewings, helping theaters thrive during that summer season.

Looking back, Hall said the moment reinforced her belief in the power of theatrical releases and communal moviegoing. She added that audiences don’t need to choose between genres, and that the success of both films showed there is room for vastly different stories to coexist and succeed at the box office.