A whirlwind of cinematic excitement engulfed the world as Barbie, the highly anticipated film directed by Greta Gerwig, stormed the box office, shattering records and earning over R6 billion worldwide.
Teaming up with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the twin releases delivered an awe-inspiring spectacle that drew more than 200 000 eager moviegoers, marking a historical moment in the world of cinema.
Reports from Reuters revealed that the Barbie and Oppenheimer double feature resulted in the fourth-biggest box office weekend in cinematic history, making it the largest weekend for box office earnings during the pandemic era, as reported by Variety.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, in particular, set astonishing records as the biggest opening of 2023 and the highest-grossing film directed by a woman in cinematic history.
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The global marketing frenzy, orchestrated by the masterminds at Mattel Inc, creators of the iconic Barbie doll, painted the world pink and secured countless product partnerships, turning every retail item into a pink delight.
Upon its release, Barbie raked in a staggering $337 million (R6 billion) worldwide, a feat that left both the industry and fans in awe. Barbie’s relentless march to greatness led to a series of remarkable achievements over the weekend from 21 July to 24 July:
- Biggest domestic opening of 2023
- Biggest opening ever for a female director
- Biggest opening for a movie based on a toy
- Biggest opening ever for stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling
- Biggest opening weekend for a non-sequel, non-remake and non-superhero movie
While Barbie took centre stage, historical drama Oppenheimer, helmed by Christopher Nolan, also left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.
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Collecting an impressive $174 million (R3 billion) globally, Oppenheimer showcased its own brilliance and attracted viewers who were equally captivated by the allure of both films.
The result was a cinematic phenomenon dubbed ‘Barbenheimer weekend,’ where enthusiastic moviegoers flocked to cinemas to experience both masterpieces and cast their votes for the ultimate favourite.
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Picture: IMDb