We are only 11 days away from the most unexpected box office fight of the year, Oppenheimer vs. Barbie.
When it was revealed that both films would be released worldwide on July 21st, the internet erupted into chaos. As memes highlighting the enormous tonal difference between the two films began to emerge. This news effectively triggered the Barbenheimer, which the internet dubbed this fight.
Barbenheimer poster art by @ThatTallGinger pic.twitter.com/tXUAdxm6qb
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 7, 2023
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who helped develop the first nuclear weapons. In contrast, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is a fantasy comedy film that follows Barbie and Ken as they embark on a journey of self-discovery in the real world. However, although on the surface, these two films are tonally different, at their core, they both feature individuals who are coming to terms with themselves and the reality that their choices and actions have consequences.
This seemingly innocent joke about Oppenheimer vs. Barbie, which started on Twitter, has taken on a life of its own. More online polls, blog posts, and artwork are emerging as the release date draws closer, with even cast members from both productions weighing in! The biggest question on everyone’s mind is, Which should I watch first?
To help you out, Cillian Murphy recently addressed Barbenheimer in an interview with La Vanguardia. He said, “My advice would be for people to see both on the same day. If they are good movies, that is what wins in the cinema.” Similarly, Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie have expressed their enthusiasm for Oppenheimer, going as far as getting opening tickets for the film.
Further, regarding which film will win at the box office, current opening-day forecasts indicate that Barbie will triumph. Although there is significant hype for both films. Deadline expects Barbie to gross between $80 and $100 million in its first weekend. In contrast, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is expected to gross $50 million in its first weekend. This is understandable seeing as Barbie is based on a decades old multi-billion dollar IP.
Choosing which to watch first can be tough, so you should follow a watching order that fits your preferences. You can watch the gloomier Oppenheimer first to get the sad part out of the way, then watch Barbie to bring your emotions back up, or vice versa. However, view both and form an opinion on which film was the best of the month.