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Details for log entry 37,231,958
18:02, 14 March 2024: Artem.G (talk | contribs) triggered filter 550, performing the action "edit" on Barbenheimer. Actions taken: Tag; Filter description: nowiki tags inserted into an article (examine | diff)

Changes made in edit



Margot Robbie, who portrays the titular character in ''Barbie'', suggested watching ''Barbie'', then ''Oppenheimer'', and then ''Barbie'' again.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> President Barbie's actor in ''Barbie'', [[Issa Rae]], said that "If you see ''Oppenheimer'' last then you might be a bit of a psychopath."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> [[CNN]] Entertainment writer Scottie Andrew recommended watching ''Oppenheimer'' first and ''Barbie'' second, comparing it to "saving dessert for ''after'' dinner".<ref name=":3" />

Margot Robbie, who portrays the titular character in ''Barbie'', suggested watching ''Barbie'', then ''Oppenheimer'', and then ''Barbie'' again.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> President Barbie's actor in ''Barbie'', [[Issa Rae]], said that "If you see ''Oppenheimer'' last then you might be a bit of a psychopath."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> [[CNN]] Entertainment writer Scottie Andrew recommended watching ''Oppenheimer'' first and ''Barbie'' second, comparing it to "saving dessert for ''after'' dinner".<ref name=":3" />

=== Counterprogramming ===

[[File:Barbenheimer at Crouch End Picturehouse, 165 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, July 2023.jpg|thumb|right|Sold out screenings of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' at the Crouch End Picturehouse in North London on July 22]]

<!-- ENSURE PARAGRAPHS ARE FAIRLY EXPANDED AND REFERENCES ARE MADE TO RELIABLE SOURCES -->

The Barbenheimer phenomenon is an instance of [[Counterprogramming (film distribution)|counterprogramming]], a marketing strategy in which a tonally different film is released on the same day as a major film to appeal to an underrepresented group.<ref name="GQ" /> Universal successfully deployed counterprogramming as early as 2002, when it opened the [[Comedy drama|dramedy]] ''[[About a Boy (film)|About a Boy]]'' opposite the [[Science fiction|science-fiction]] [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fonseca |first1=Nicholas |title=Duel Action: 'Attack of the Clones' vs. 'About A Boy' and other box-office match ups... |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602080418/https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The former enjoyed the strongest opening for a British film that year, finishing with over $130&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=About a Boy storms to top |date=April 30, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219024819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

BBC News observed the phenomenon occur during October 2013 when two very different Scotland set films, black crime comedy ''[[Filth (film)|Filth]]'', and romantic musical ''[[Sunshine on Leith (film)|Sunshine on Leith]]'' open the same week in the UK. Men's magazine ''[[GQ]]'' observed the phenomenon occurring in the [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]], such as ''[[Avatar: The Way of Water]]'' and ''[[Puss in Boots: The Last Wish]]'' in 2022, and compared summer to an "all-or-nothing bloodsport". In 2022, counterprogramming occurred with the summer films ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'' and ''[[The Bob's Burgers Movie]]'', in which the latter is a smaller film than the former, allowing for such a dynamic.<ref name="GQ">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |title=When Summer Blockbusters Collide: A Short History |date=June 5, 2023 |last=Phipps |first=Keith |work=[[GQ]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702213013/https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |url-status=live}}</ref>

The release date of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' drew parallels to the same U.S. release date of Nolan's [[superhero film]] ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (distributed by Warner Bros.) and the [[jukebox musical]] ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' (distributed by Universal) on July 18, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are opening on the same date. Why that's not a bad thing |date=April 13, 2023 |last=Nguyen |first=Janet |work=[[Marketplace (radio program)|Marketplace]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702202837/https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor [[Tom Cruise]], producer and lead actor of ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'' which opened the week before the two films, fervently promoted his film over ''Oppenheimer'' and ''Barbie'' to erode ''Oppenheimer''<nowiki/>'s three-week [[IMAX]] exclusivity window.<ref name=":2" />

Barbenheimer has seen comparisons to the simultaneous release of the video game titles ''[[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]'' and ''[[Doom Eternal]]'' on March 20, 2020, which prompted a similar online crossover phenomenon at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colbert |first=Isaiah |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Before Barbenheimer, There Was Doom Eternal And Animal Crossing |url=https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728072737/https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jade |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons And Doom Eternal Are The Original Barbenheimer |url=https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731144537/https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The trend also appeared with the [[series finale]]s of the television series ''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]'' and ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'', both of which aired on August 23, 2023, on [[The CW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|title='Riverdale,' 'Nancy Drew' Series Finales Among The CW Summer Slate|work=[[The Wrap]]|last=Seitz|first=Loree|date=May 10, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518082942/https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|archive-date=May 18, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|title='Nancy Drew' and 'Riverdale' Back-to-Back Finales Could Be Described as Barbenheimer for CW Fans|work=[[Us Weekly]]|author=Yana Grebenyuk|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826101842/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|archive-date=August 26, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

In light of Barbenheimer, other studios concocted similar events to their upcoming releases. This includes "Saw Patrol", named after ''[[Saw X]]'' and ''[[PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie]]'' released September 29, 2023, though this received a more mixed response.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |title=Forget Barbenheimer, there's a new same-day cinema clash: Saw Patrol |date=July 21, 2023 |last=Russell |first=Bradley |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721123828/https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Reports from third-party outlets to support this sentence, please: This was acknowledged by both studios behind those movies, [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Lionsgate]] through their Twitter posts. --> In an opposite of this move however, Universal moved ''[[The Exorcist: Believer]]'' up from its intended October 13, 2023, date to October 6 to avoid competing with ''[[Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour]]'' that was releasing the same day, thus preventing an "Exorswift" release schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Even Demons Fear Taylor Swift |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902220114/https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Lillian |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Forget Exorswift: Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film gets release date to itself as 'Exorcist' moves |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902061225/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>


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'{{Short description|2023 Internet phenomenon}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Multiple image | perrow = 1/2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = Barbenheimer_on_display.jpg | alt1 = The Fine Arts Theatre in Asheville, North Carolina, United States, displaying showtimes for both films | caption1 = <!-- Do not add caption here per talk page. Feel free to reopen discussion. --> | image2 = Ruth Handler in 1961.jpg | alt2 = Barbie creator [[Ruth Handler]] with Barbie dolls | caption2 = | image3 = Oppenheimer (cropped).jpg | alt3 = Vintage photograph of Robert Oppenheimer | caption3 = |footer = [[Barbie]] creator [[Ruth Handler]] and [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]] }} <!-- Do not add "The term" per WP:ISATERMFOR -->'''Barbenheimer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑːr|b|ə|n|h|aɪ|m|ər}} {{Respell|BAR|bən|hy|mər}}){{efn|Also known as '''Oppenbarbie''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɒ|p|ən|b|ɑːr|b|i}} {{Respell|OP|ən|bar|bee}}), '''Barbieheimer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑːr|b|i|h|aɪ|m|ər}} {{Respell|BAR|bee|hy|mər}}),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Barbieheimer: It's black. It's pink. It's more meaningful than you think |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23789864/barbenheimer-barbieheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-release-memes-double-feature |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710223328/https://www.vox.com/culture/23789864/barbenheimer-barbieheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-release-memes-double-feature |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Everything to know about Barbieheimer, the summer's hottest trend |url=https://ew.com/movies/barbieheimer-everything-to-know/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201140022/https://ew.com/movies/barbieheimer-everything-to-know/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beckerman |first=Jim |title=Why are moviegoers so excited to see 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' together? |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/07/10/barbie-oppenheimer-release-on-the-same-day/70395685007/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[North Jersey Media Group]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155739/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/07/10/barbie-oppenheimer-release-on-the-same-day/70395685007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and '''Boppenheimer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɒ|p|ən|h|aɪ|m|ər}} {{respelling|BOP|ən|hy|mər}}).<ref name=":0" />}}<!-- Do not change to "refers to" per WP:REFERSTO --> is a cultural phenomenon which preceded and continues to surround the simultaneous [[theatrical release]] of two films, [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]'s ''[[Barbie (film)|Barbie]]'' and [[Universal Pictures]]'s ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'', on July 21, 2023. The word is a [[Blend word|portmanteau]] of the films' titles. The strong contrast between ''Barbie''—a [[fantasy comedy]] by [[Greta Gerwig]] about the fashion doll [[Barbie]]—and ''Oppenheimer''—an [[Epic film|epic]] [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[Thriller film|thriller]] by [[Christopher Nolan]] about physicist [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]], scientific director of the [[Manhattan Project]]—prompted a comedic response from Internet users, including [[Internet meme|memes]], merchandise and memorabilia. ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' described the two films as "extreme opposites", and ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the phenomenon "the movie event of the year".<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=July 30, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Barbie' Dances to $775M Globally, Days Away From Joining Billion-Dollar Club |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-billion-dollar-club-1235547643/ |access-date=July 31, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731023644/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-billion-dollar-club-1235547643/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The simultaneous release was an instance of [[counterprogramming (film distribution)|counterprogramming]]. As the release date approached, discussion centered on the appositeness of watching the films as a [[double feature]], as well as in what order to watch them, instead of generating a rivalry. Cast members of both responded by encouraging audiences to watch the films on the same day. Celebrity participants included actor [[Tom Cruise]], who purchased tickets to watch both while his latest film, ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'', was still playing in theaters. While the phenomenon began as a joke about the two films' seemingly endless differences, some media commentators have pointed out similarities; both films have been analyzed as exploring [[existentialism]] and the theoretical notion of the [[Anthropocene]], each has an [[Academy Award]]-nominated director and screenwriter{{efn|name=OscarNoms}} and a large [[ensemble cast]], and both were produced by a husband-and-wife [[production company]].{{efn|name=Husband-and-wife}} Both ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' received critical acclaim{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2023/07/25/barbenheimer-box-office-audiences-want-more-movies-without-jedi-superhero/amp/ |title='Barbenheimer' box office shows audiences want more movies without a Jedi or superhero &#124; Fortune |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803012451/https://fortune.com/2023/07/25/barbenheimer-box-office-audiences-want-more-movies-without-jedi-superhero/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/barbie-oppenheimer-biggest-second-weekend-presales-ever/ |title='Barbenheimer' Set for Biggest Second Weekend Presales of All Time |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=July 28, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731200926/https://collider.com/barbie-oppenheimer-biggest-second-weekend-presales-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/ |title='Barbenheimer' nets combined $235 million during opening weekend |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725164935/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Bill Maher's 'Barbie' Movie Review Is a Total Embarrassment |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/bill-maher-barbie-movie-review-twitter-patriarchy-lame-1234803114/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |quote=The movie was released to near-universal critical acclaim and has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816220607/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/bill-maher-barbie-movie-review-twitter-patriarchy-lame-1234803114/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smart |first=Jack |title=Marc Maron Slams the 'Certain Men' Who 'Took Offense' to 'Barbie' Movie: 'So Embarrassing for Them' |url=https://people.com/marc-maron-slams-men-who-took-offense-to-barbie-7569130 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=People |language=en |quote=“Certain men” notwithstanding, Barbie has received critical acclaim and commercial success. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172106/https://people.com/marc-maron-slams-men-who-took-offense-to-barbie-7569130 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Barbie vs Oppenheimer at Box Office: Who won at the preview and what else now? |work=[[The Economic Times]] |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/barbie-vs-oppenheimer-at-box-office-who-won-at-the-preview-and-what-else-now/articleshow/102024360.cms |access-date=August 16, 2023 |issn=0013-0389 |quote=Lastly, the much-anticipated box office battle between Warner Bros' Barbie and Universal's Oppenheimer has generated an impressive buzz, with both films receiving critical acclaim and strong presales. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172105/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/barbie-vs-oppenheimer-at-box-office-who-won-at-the-preview-and-what-else-now/articleshow/102024360.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oppenheimer |first=Jerry |date=July 15, 2023 |title=Barbie battle: Two women claim to inspire Margot Robbie |url=https://nypost.com/2023/07/15/battle-to-be-the-real-barbie-how-two-barbaras-lay-claim-to-inspiring-the-doll-margot-robbie-plays/ |work=[[New York Post]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |language=en-US |quote=“Barbie” is driving its way to box-office gold, with a combination of hype, critical acclaim and pre-bookings already selling out. |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818145426/https://nypost.com/2023/07/15/battle-to-be-the-real-barbie-how-two-barbaras-lay-claim-to-inspiring-the-doll-margot-robbie-plays/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Marc Maron Trounces Right-Wing 'Barbie' Haters As 'Insecure Babies' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marc-maron-barbie-haters-greta-gerwig_n_64cb7a95e4b0fd06594fcff0 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en |quote=“Barbie” hit theaters last month to critical acclaim and broke the box office record its first weekend for a film directed by a woman. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172057/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marc-maron-barbie-haters-greta-gerwig_n_64cb7a95e4b0fd06594fcff0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2023 |title=All the reasons why Barbie has been a record-breaking box office success |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44687258/barbie-box-office-explained/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |quote=The obvious place to start with why Barbie has proven such a draw at the box office is that it's genuinely a great movie. It currently holds an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and achieved an A CinemaScore rating, giving it both critical acclaim and popular appeal, the latter almost definitely leading to repeat viewings. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172057/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44687258/barbie-box-office-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=July 25, 2023 |title='Barbie' Oscar Dilemma: Warner Bros. Weighs Original or Adapted Screenplay Consideration |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/barbie-screenplay-oscars-original-adapted-1235678928/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |quote=“Barbie” is a box office smash, along with its acclaim from critics and audiences alike. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172057/https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/barbie-screenplay-oscars-original-adapted-1235678928/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Qureshi |first=Bilal |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and 'Barbie' made for one epic summer trifecta |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/11/1193283472/barbie-taylor-swift-beyonce |website=NPR |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote=The hype surrounding Barbie, Beyoncé's Renaissance, and Taylor's Eras tour is commensurate with the sheer amount of resources, time and attention so many Americans of all races, genders and ages are devoting to being part of this moment. Critical acclaim has followed each of these works, layers of meaning are being made. |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815191331/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/11/1193283472/barbie-taylor-swift-beyonce |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Dani |date=August 4, 2023 |title='Lawyer Barbie' Sharon Rooney never wants to let Barbieland go |url=https://harpersbazaar.com.au/sharon-rooney-barbie-interview/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Harper's Bazaar Australia |language=en-US |quote=But perhaps Barbie‘s greatest impact — and legacy, in time — is not its box office success, critical acclaim, or social media domination. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172110/https://harpersbazaar.com.au/sharon-rooney-barbie-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and exceeded box-office expectations.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mastrangelo |first=Dominick |date=July 25, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' nets combined $235 million during opening weekend |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjq3v3WpqqAAxUgFzQIHanDCpQQFnoECA0QAQ%26usg%3DAOvVaw1xTvQeckHrf0OFIVftdZNC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725165224/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjq3v3WpqqAAxUgFzQIHanDCpQQFnoECA0QAQ%26usg%3DAOvVaw1xTvQeckHrf0OFIVftdZNC/ |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=The Hill}}</ref> Their joint opening weekend was the fourth-largest at the American box office, and both rank among the [[2023 in film#Highest-grossing films|highest-grossing films of 2023]]. The phenomenon also extended to the year's awards season, in which both films emerged as leading contenders. The films earned a combined 21 nominations at the [[96th Academy Awards]], both films nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]], with ''Oppenheimer'' receiving the most of the year at 13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 {{!}} Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=www.oscars.org |language=en |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123165951/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==History== ===Release date dispute=== {{further|Oppenheimer (film)#Development|Barbie (film)#Development|label1=''Oppenheimer'' (film) § Development|label2=''Barbie'' (film) § Development}} {{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = Greta Gerwig at Barbie Movie Reception (headshot).jpg | alt1 = Greta Gerwig | image2 = Christopher Nolan, London, 2013 (crop).jpg | alt2 = Christopher Nolan | footer = ''Barbie'' director [[Greta Gerwig]] and ''Oppenheimer'' director [[Christopher Nolan]] }} In December 2020, citing the [[impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema]], [[WarnerMedia]], the then-[[parent company]] of [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], announced it would release all 17 of its upcoming 2021 films exclusively on its streaming service, [[Max (streaming service)|HBO Max]], in what was nicknamed "Project Popcorn". This decision was heavily criticized the same month by director [[Christopher Nolan]], whose films had been distributed by Warner Bros. since 2002's ''[[Insomnia (2002 film)|Insomnia]]''. In a statement to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Nolan said, "Some of our industry's biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service." He also said that Warner Bros. "[doesn't] even understand what they're losing", and that the "decision [made] no economic sense".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Kim |date=December 8, 2020 |title=Christopher Nolan Rips HBO Max as 'Worst Streaming Service', Denounces Warner Bros.' Plan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan-4101408/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155752/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan-4101408/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=John |date=December 7, 2020 |title=Christopher Nolan Reflects on ''Tenet'' Release, Reacts to Warner Bros./HBO Max Deal (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/christopher-nolan-reflects-on-tenet-release-reacts-to-warner-broshbo-max-deal-exclusive-157414 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009205545/https://www.etonline.com/christopher-nolan-reflects-on-tenet-release-reacts-to-warner-broshbo-max-deal-exclusive-157414 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref> Warner Bros. eventually backed off from the streaming-exclusive releasing plan for their feature films in March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=McClintock|first1=Pamela|date=October 27, 2021|title='Project Popcorn': WarnerMedia's Box Office-HBO Max Experiment Gets Mixed Results|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warnermedias-project-popcorn-box-office-hbo-max-experiment-gets-mixed-results-1235037096/|access-date=December 22, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326023349/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warnermedias-project-popcorn-box-office-hbo-max-experiment-gets-mixed-results-1235037096/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, after Warner Bros.' initial plan, Nolan met with several rival studios, and announced in September 2021 that his next film, ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'', would be distributed by [[Universal Pictures]] instead of Warner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Christopher Nolan Chooses Universal Pictures For His Film About J. Robert Oppenheimer & The A-Bomb |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/christopher-nolan-universal-pictures-sets-next-film-j-robert-oppenheimer-development-atom-bomb-world-war-two-1234832975/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914210510/https://deadline.com/2021/09/christopher-nolan-universal-pictures-sets-next-film-j-robert-oppenheimer-development-atom-bomb-world-war-two-1234832975/ |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Conditions for making his next film with Universal included: a budget of $100 million, a marketing budget of equal size, creative control, 20% of first-dollar gross, a blackout period whereby the studio would not release another movie three weeks before or after release and, to ensure it would not land on a streaming service immediately, a 100-day theatrical window.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Matt |title=Here's Everything Christopher Nolan Demanded from Universal For His Oppenheimer Movie |date=September 15, 2021 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-universal-demands-oppenheimer |work=IGN |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723165054/https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-universal-demands-oppenheimer |url-status=live }}</ref> The following month, Universal announced the July 21, 2023, release date for ''Oppenheimer''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Cillian Murphy Confirmed to Star As J. Robert Oppenheimer In Christopher Nolan's Next Film At Universal, Film Will Bow in July 2023 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/cillian-murphy-j-robert-oppenheimer-christopher-nolans-universal-film-july-2023-1234852888/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008180121/https://deadline.com/2021/10/cillian-murphy-j-robert-oppenheimer-christopher-nolans-universal-film-july-2023-1234852888/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Gregory |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Christopher Nolan's New Movie ''Oppenheimer'' Sets 2023 Release Date |url=https://collider.com/christopher-nolan-next-movie-oppenheimer-release-date-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008180419/https://collider.com/christopher-nolan-next-movie-oppenheimer-release-date-2023/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Warner Bros. had originally scheduled the [[Looney Tunes]]-related comedy ''[[Coyote vs. Acme]]'' to be released on the same date of July 21,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Warner Bros. to Release 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Prequel and 'The Color Purple' Musical in Theaters in 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mad-max-fury-road-color-purple-1234874609/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224022908/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mad-max-fury-road-color-purple-1234874609/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but in April 2022, the studio announced that the film ''[[Barbie (film)|Barbie]]'' would be released on that date instead,<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=''Barbie'' Heads To Summer 2023 – CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/barbie-coyote-vs-acme-release-date-1235010330/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 26, 2022 |date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426234202/https://deadline.com/2022/04/barbie-coyote-vs-acme-release-date-1235010330/ |url-status=live }}</ref> having it directly compete against Nolan's film.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/margot-robbie-barbie-release-date-1235241864/|title=Margot Robbie's ''Barbie'' Sets 2023 Release Date, Unveils First-Look Photo|magazine=Variety|first=Matt|last=Donnelly|date=April 26, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426233743/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/margot-robbie-barbie-release-date-1235241864/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nolan's disagreement with Warner was cited as the principal cause of this decision,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Belloni |first=Matthew |date=June 1, 2023 |title=The Tom Cruise vs 'Oppenheimer' Movie Theater Smackdown |url=https://puck.news/the-tom-cruise-vs-oppenheimer-movie-theater-smackdown/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602030416/https://puck.news/the-tom-cruise-vs-oppenheimer-movie-theater-smackdown/ |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Puck (media company)|Puck]]}}</ref> with ''[[Business Insider|Insider]]'' speculating that the decision to release the long-in-development ''Barbie'' directly opposite ''Oppenheimer'' may have been revenge against Nolan for ending his collaboration with the company. The mid-July date was relevant, beginning with ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' and with the exception of ''[[Interstellar (film)|Interstellar]]'' (which was released in early November 2014, as distributed by [[Paramount Pictures]] in the United States and Canada, and by Warner Bros. internationally) and ''[[Tenet (film)|Tenet]]'' (which was delayed from the original release date of July 17, 2020, following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]), Nolan's films have been released in mid-July.<ref name="Insider-23JUL13-NolanWarner" /> Newly appointed Warner Bros. heads [[Michael De Luca]] and [[Pamela Abdy]] later stated that they wished to reconcile with Nolan;<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Can Warner Bros. Restore Its Movie Glory? Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy Want Christopher Nolan Back, Will Prioritize Theatrical and Take More Big Swings |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/features/warner-bros-christopher-nolan-film-execs-new-strategy-interview-1235642666/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614140258/https://variety.com/2023/film/features/warner-bros-christopher-nolan-film-execs-new-strategy-interview-1235642666/ |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> box office experts questioned why Warner refused to move ''Barbie''{{'s}} release date if they wished to restore relations with Nolan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Box Office Showdown: 'Barbie' Looks to Open Ahead of 'Oppenheimer' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-barbie-looks-to-open-oppenheimer-1235516019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232651/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-barbie-looks-to-open-oppenheimer-1235516019/ |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> According to [[Margot Robbie]], ''Oppenheimer'' producer [[Charles Roven]] called her and suggested they move the release date for ''Barbie'', but she declined.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cillian Murphy & Margot Robbie {{!}} Actors on Actors |url=https://youtube.com/MecVr3Bz4o0?si=NIQDe3lbS2pT4xkM&t=411 |publisher=Variety |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Nolan was reportedly annoyed by Warner Bros.' decision to schedule ''Barbie'' on the same date as ''Oppenheimer''.<ref name="Insider-23JUL13-NolanWarner" /><ref name="ScreenRant-23JUL12-NolanWarner" /> Despite this<!-- and as the double feature viewing phenomenon has emerged ahead of both film's release date -->, when asked by an ''Insider'' reporter whether his split with Warner was indeed the cause of ''Barbie''{{'s}} release date, Nolan laughed and said he was "not going to answer that question", adding that theaters now have "a crowded marketplace with a lot of different movies&nbsp;..., and those of us who care about movies are thrilled about that".<ref name="Insider-23JUL13-NolanWarner">{{cite web |last1=Guerrasio |first1=Jason |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Christopher Nolan's complicated history with Warner Bros. may have gifted us 'Barbenheimer' |url=https://www.insider.com/christopher-nolan-warner-bros-feud-oppenheimer-barbie-2023-7 |work=Insider |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20230712121633/https://www.insider.com/christopher-nolan-warner-bros-feud-oppenheimer-barbie-2023-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ScreenRant-23JUL12-NolanWarner">{{Cite web |last=Lamadrid |first=Amanda |date=July 12, 2023 |title=Christopher Nolan & Warner Bros Feud: Director Upset Over Barbie vs. Oppenheimer Release |url=https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-movie-christopher-nolan-barbie-release-response/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155753/https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-movie-christopher-nolan-barbie-release-response/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked about the films sharing the same release date, Nolan told an ''[[IGN]]'' reporter that a "crowded marketplace" is "here and that's terrific".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Briscuso |first=Lex |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy are Embracing Barbenheimer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-embraces-barbenheimer |access-date=July 16, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155721/https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-embraces-barbenheimer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christopher-nolan-barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-terrific-1235668082/ |title=Christopher Nolan Says 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie' Opening Together Is 'Terrific' Because a 'Crowded' Marketplace Is a 'Healthy' One: 'We've Been Waiting' For This |date=July 12, 2023 |last=Sharf |first=Zach |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155728/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christopher-nolan-barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-terrific-1235668082/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== Public reaction ==== [[File:Barbenheimer Halloween Costume.jpg|thumb|A man in a [[Halloween]] costume as the Barbenheimer phenomenon]] The first known use of the term "Barbenheimer" was in a post on [[Twitter]] dated April 15, 2022, by Matt Neglia, [[editor-in-chief]] of the entertainment awards website ''Next Best Picture''. The post made fun of the fact that both films seemed to be constantly announcing new cast members. Neglia later said he did not remember writing the post.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Angela |last2=Hamedy |first2=Saba |date=July 24, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' weekend energizes the box office, brings moviegoers back to theaters |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna95402 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723172538/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna95402 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[NBC News]] |publisher=[[NBC]]}}</ref> Use of the term gained pace in 2023, as Internet users noted the juxtaposition of the films and posted memes on Twitter. Fan-made posters for Barbenheimer circulated online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Mayukh |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Barbenheimer and the art of counterprogramming |url=https://www.lifestyleasia.com/ind/entertainment/barbenheimer-and-the-art-of-counterprogramming/ |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=[[Lifestyle Asia|Lifestyle Asia India]] |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715220423/https://www.lifestyleasia.com/ind/entertainment/barbenheimer-and-the-art-of-counterprogramming/ |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Meg |title=Barbenheimer and the meme-ification of movie marketing |url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/film/barbenheimer-and-the-meme-ification-of-movie-marketing/802415 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717160239/https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/film/barbenheimer-and-the-meme-ification-of-movie-marketing/802415 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=[[Stylist (magazine)|Stylist]]}}</ref> Shirt designers on [[Etsy]] began creating merchandise based on the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Early versions of these shirts directly used the wordmarks of the films and placed them side-by-side, while later versions used a ''Barbie''-inspired "Barbenheimer" wordmark.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Moses |first=Claire |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Mark Your Calendars: 'Barbenheimer' Is Coming |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-release-day.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630024535/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-release-day.html |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Several tweets referenced the Sherbet Homes in [[Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles]], side-by-side homes noted for one's black demeanor and the other's pink appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Jason |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Barbenheimer Memes Are Blowing Up |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/barbenheimer-memes.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703204421/https://www.vulture.com/article/barbenheimer-memes.html |archive-date=July 3, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> Two [[Dallas]] video editors made {{USD|14400}} selling Barbenheimer shirts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-premiere-e8007fe3 |title=World's Strangest Double Feature: 'Barbie', Then 'Oppenheimer' |date=July 13, 2023 |last=Ampil |first=Izzy |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/1bKZJ |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Businesses have also posted about the phenomenon; a [[Barnes & Noble]] store in [[Olympia, Washington]], presented a "Barbeinheimer{{sic}} [[Starter pack (meme)|Starter Pack]]" on [[TikTok]], accruing 30,000 likes.<ref name="unstoppable">{{Cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6293844/barbie-oppenheimer-internet-phenomenon/ |title=Why 'Barbenheimer' Mania Is Unstoppable |date=July 12, 2023 |last=Espada |first=Mariah |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713133359/https://time.com/6293844/barbie-oppenheimer-internet-phenomenon/ |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> A retired Boston University professor named Barbara Oppenheimer, a third cousin through her husband to [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]], praised both films.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kois |first1=Dan |title=An Interview With Barbara Oppenheimer About How Her Summer Is Going |url=https://slate.com/culture/2023/08/barbie-oppenheimer-movie-2023-barbara-interview.html |journal=Slate |date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014084414/https://slate.com/culture/2023/08/barbie-oppenheimer-movie-2023-barbara-interview.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Marketing === The films' marketing differed greatly. ''Barbie''{{'s}} marketing, estimated to cost $150 million to ''Oppenheimer''{{'s}} $100 million, used a wide range of immersive partnerships and tie-in products. ''Oppenheimer'' took a more low-key approach, aiming to cultivate intrigue with [[Trailer (promotion)|trailers]] and an online countdown to the 78th anniversary of the [[Trinity (nuclear test)|first nuclear explosion]].<ref name="Variety-23JUL23-BarbieMarketingBudget">{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Inside 'Barbie's' Pink Publicity Machine: How Warner Bros. Pulled Off the Marketing Campaign of the Year |date=July 23, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-marketing-campaign-explained-warner-bros-1235677922/#! |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724154751/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-marketing-campaign-explained-warner-bros-1235677922/#! |url-status=live }}</ref><!--Do not cite individual blogs. They are not [[WP:RS|reliable sources]].--> ''Barbie'' held a premiere on July 12, 2023, in [[London]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Georgia |title=Barbie: Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling lead cast on the pink carpet at London premiere |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2023-07-12/barbie-movie-margot-robbie-and-cast-on-pink-carpet-at-london-premiere |work=[[ITV News]] |date=July 12, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716161654/https://www.itv.com/news/2023-07-12/barbie-movie-margot-robbie-and-cast-on-pink-carpet-at-london-premiere |url-status=live }}</ref> where ''Oppenheimer'' held another the next day;<ref name="BBC-23JUL13-LondonPrem">{{Cite news |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Oppenheimer: Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt at London movie premiere |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66196311 |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720063953/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66196311 |archive-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> on July 14, [[SAG-AFTRA]], an American [[Trade union|labor union]] of film, television, and voice actors, [[2023 SAG-AFTRA strike|declared a strike action]], effectively halting any promotional event that involved any member in the guild.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sperling |first=Nicole |title=Strike Prevents Actors From Promoting Films at Premieres or Festivals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/business/media/actors-strike-movie-promotion.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718150225/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/business/media/actors-strike-movie-promotion.html |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Barbie'' star [[Margot Robbie]] showed her support in the action when questioned by a [[Sky News]] reporter at the film's London event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Margot Robbie says she is 'absolutely' prepared to join actors' strike |url=https://news.sky.com/video/margot-robbie-says-she-is-absolutely-prepared-to-join-actors-strike-12920309 |work=[[Sky News]] |date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720064247/https://news.sky.com/video/margot-robbie-says-she-is-absolutely-prepared-to-join-actors-strike-12920309 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite ''Oppenheimer''{{'s}} London premiere being moved up an hour early, the cast of the film left during the screening in support of the strike.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kubota |first1=Samantha |title='Oppenheimer' cast walks out of UK premiere after SAG-AFTRA goes on strike |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/oppenheimer-cast-leaves-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-rcna94185 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=July 13, 2023 |publisher=[[NBC]] |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717124516/https://www.today.com/popculture/oppenheimer-cast-leaves-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-rcna94185 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Malkin |first1=Marc |title='Oppenheimer' London Premiere to Start an Hour Earlier So Cast Can Attend Before Possible SAG-AFTRA Strike Begins |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oppenheimer-london-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-1235668910/#! |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716122316/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oppenheimer-london-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-1235668910/#! |url-status=live }}</ref> SAG-AFTRA President [[Fran Drescher]] later claimed the studios "duped" the guild into accepting a 12-day-extension for negotiations to continue promoting summer films such as ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Fran Drescher Mobbed On SAG-AFTRA Picket Lines, Says Studios Are 'Doing Bad Things To Good People' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/fran-drescher-picket-line-actors-strike-interview-1235438324/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715204659/https://deadline.com/2023/07/fran-drescher-picket-line-actors-strike-interview-1235438324/ |url-status=live }}</ref> === Double feature viewing === Many Hollywood personalities and Internet users have viewed the films as a [[double feature]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Molly |date=June 30, 2023 |title=The internet is exploding with Barbenheimer memes |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/barbie-oppenheimer-memes/ |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701022443/https://www.gamesradar.com/barbie-oppenheimer-memes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189062921/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-movie-double-feature |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[NPR]] |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722132125/https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189062921/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-movie-double-feature |url-status=live }}</ref> with a debate on viewing order being part of the meme.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Andrew |first=Scottie |date=July 21, 2023 |title=How to do 'Barbenheimer' right |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/19/entertainment/oppenheimer-barbie-double-feature-barbenheimer-cec/index.html |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723002654/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/19/entertainment/oppenheimer-barbie-double-feature-barbenheimer-cec/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Bahr |first=Lindsey |date=July 14, 2023 |title=The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer's most online movie showdown |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/14/barbenheimer-barbie-vs-oppenheimer/4ffebcf6-2269-11ee-8994-4b2d0b694a34_story.html |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/uh8eE |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Margot Robbie, who portrays the titular character in ''Barbie'', suggested watching ''Barbie'', then ''Oppenheimer'', and then ''Barbie'' again.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> President Barbie's actor in ''Barbie'', [[Issa Rae]], said that "If you see ''Oppenheimer'' last then you might be a bit of a psychopath."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> [[CNN]] Entertainment writer Scottie Andrew recommended watching ''Oppenheimer'' first and ''Barbie'' second, comparing it to "saving dessert for ''after'' dinner".<ref name=":3" /> == Reception == === Box office === ==== Projections ==== Going into their opening weekends, ''Barbie'' was projected to gross $90–120&nbsp;million in its opening weekend, and ''Oppenheimer'' was projected to gross $45–50&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 18, 2023 |title='Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer' To Rattle The Globe With Combined $260M+ Opening – Box Office Preview |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-opening-1235440879/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718205001/https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-opening-1235440879/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Chris |date=July 1, 2023 |title='Barbie' is set to win the 'Barbenheimer' box office battle with 'Oppenheimer' on their opening weekend |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/barbie-movie-set-win-barbenheimer-box-office-battle-with-oppenheimer-2023-7 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702101219/https://www.businessinsider.com/barbie-movie-set-win-barbenheimer-box-office-battle-with-oppenheimer-2023-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 23, 2023 |title='Barbie' Still Gorgeous With Best YTD $150M Opening; 'Oppenheimer' Ticking To $80M In Incredible $300M+ U.S. Box Office Weekend – Saturday PM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721142533/https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks before their release, [[AMC Theatres]] announced that more than 20,000 AMC Stubs members had pre-booked tickets to both films on the same day, resulting in a 33% increase in double-feature tickets from July 7 to 10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=July 10, 2023 |title=AMC Theatres Says More Than 20,000 Moviegoers Have Already Booked 'Barbie'–'Oppenheimer' Double Features |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/barbie-oppenhemier-double-features-amc-theaters-1235665632/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710201324/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/barbie-oppenhemier-double-features-amc-theaters-1235665632/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kuo |first=Christopher |date=July 12, 2023 |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Fans Are Ready for Their Double Feature |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature.html |access-date=July 12, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716012615/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 17, AMC announced 40,000 members had pre-ordered tickets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |date=July 17, 2023 |title=AMC Says 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Double-Feature Ticket Sales Have Doubled in Past Week |url=https://www.thewrap.com/amc-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-ticket-sales/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720063954/https://www.thewrap.com/amc-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-ticket-sales/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to cinema chain [[Vue International]], nearly one-fifth of people who bought a ticket for ''Oppenheimer'' also bought a ticket for ''Barbie''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-11/tickets-to-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-selling-fast-at-theaters-data-show |title=The Barbie-Oppenheimer Double Feature Is Really Happening, Data Shows |date=July 11, 2023 |last=Rappaport |first=Sarah |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717160239/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-11/tickets-to-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-selling-fast-at-theaters-data-show |url-status=live }}</ref> The Barbenheimer phenomenon helped boost box-office revenue, which was still recovering from the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema|effects of the COVID-19 pandemic]] and a slow [[Counterprogramming (film distribution)|seasonal film season]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haasch |first=Palmer |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Movie theaters are getting a boost from memes like 'Barbenheimer' while recovering from the pandemic |url=https://www.insider.com/barbenheimer-double-feature-movie-theater-memes-2023-7 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727082423/https://www.insider.com/barbenheimer-double-feature-movie-theater-memes-2023-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Skowlund |first1=Natalie |last2=Hager |first2=Alex |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Local theaters anticipate post-COVID salvation with 'Barbenheimer' dual release |url=https://www.kunc.org/arts-life/2023-07-19/local-theaters-anticipate-post-covid-salvation-with-barbenheimer-dual-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721140538/https://www.kunc.org/arts-life/2023-07-19/local-theaters-anticipate-post-covid-salvation-with-barbenheimer-dual-release |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=KUNC}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the films' dual opening weekend "the last happy weekend for many months", as the [[2023 Hollywood labor disputes]] would likely delay the release of films expected to be award-season contenders.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Kyle |title='Barbenheimer' Is a Huge Hollywood Moment and Maybe the Last for a While |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/movies/barbenheimer-strike.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 22, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722010125/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/movies/barbenheimer-strike.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Box Office Fusion: 'Barbie' Heads for Staggering $155M-Plus Opening, 'Oppenheimer' Eyes $77M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-opening-1235541719/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723014204/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-opening-1235541719/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== Gross ==== Both films exceeded box-office expectations.<ref name=RB1>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-weekend-shatter-records-1235677601/|title=Box Office: 'Barbie' Opens to Record-Setting $155 Million, 'Oppenheimer' Shatters Expectations With $80 Million Debut|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|date=July 23, 2023|access-date=July 23, 2023|archive-date=July 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723204155/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-weekend-shatter-records-1235677601/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=RB2>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/barbie-2-cast-story-details-updates/|title=Barbie 2: Sequel Set-Up, If It's Greenlit & Everything We Know|date=June 19, 2023|website=ScreenRant|access-date=July 23, 2023|archive-date=July 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721205124/https://screenrant.com/barbie-2-cast-story-details-updates/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RB3">{{Cite web |last=Malhotra |first=Rahul |date=July 22, 2023 |title='Barbie' Eyes Record-Breaking Debut at Global Box Office |url=https://collider.com/barbie-global-box-office-280-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723195346/https://collider.com/barbie-global-box-office-280-million/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Collider}}</ref> ''Barbie'' became the highest-grossing domestic release in [[Warner Bros]] history, surpassing Nolan's ''The Dark Knight''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title='Barbie' Surpasses 'The Dark Knight' as Warner Bros.' Highest-Grossing Domestic Release in History |date=August 16, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-warner-bros-biggest-movie-us-beats-dark-knight-1235697702/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816155950/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-warner-bros-biggest-movie-us-beats-dark-knight-1235697702/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United States and Canada, ''Barbie'' grossed $22.3&nbsp;million in Thursday night previews, while ''Oppenheimer'' grossed $10.5&nbsp;million. This was the first time two movies released in the same weekend have grossed more than $10&nbsp;million each in their previews. Including previews, the films made $70.5&nbsp;million and $33&nbsp;million on their first days, respectively, which led to weekend projections being increased to $160&nbsp;million and $77&nbsp;million. The films went on to debut to $162&nbsp;million and $82.4&nbsp;million, respectively. The Barbenheimer phenomenon was credited with boosting interest in the films, with a total of 79% of tickets sold over the weekend (52% for ''Barbie'' and 27% for ''Oppenheimer'') being for the two films, a total of 18.5&nbsp;million people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 22, 2023 |title='Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer' Fueling Mindblowing $300M+ Box Office Weekend – Saturday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721142533/https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Barbie' Blasts Off With $22.3M in Previews, 'Oppenheimer' Rakes in $10.5M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-1235540773/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723103112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-1235540773/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, ''Oppenheimer'' made $4.98 million from audience members who saw the film because their desired ''Barbie'' showtime was sold out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=July 24, 2023 |title='Oppenheimer' Sold $5 Million in Tickets This Weekend Because 'Barbie' Was Sold Out |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/oppenheimer-5-million-tickets-barbie-sold-out-barbenheimer-1234887457/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192601/https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/oppenheimer-5-million-tickets-barbie-sold-out-barbenheimer-1234887457/ |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |website=IndieWire}}</ref> [[IMAX]] CEO [[Richard Gelfond]] described the weekend as a paradigm shift, referring to ''Oppenheimer'' bringing in $35 million from 740 IMAX screens.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gunnion |first1=Stephen |title=IMAX sees 'paradigm shift' in moviegoing as it reports 2Q earnings beat |date=July 27, 2023 |url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/1021961/imax-sees-paradigm-shift-in-moviegoing-as-it-reports-2q-earnings-beat-1021961.html |publisher=Proactive Investors |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727214457/https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/1021961/imax-sees-paradigm-shift-in-moviegoing-as-it-reports-2q-earnings-beat-1021961.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' saw the second-largest opening not to top the domestic box office, falling short of [[Inside Out (2015 film)|''Inside Out'']]{{'s}} $90.4 million opening by a small margin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |date=June 21, 2015 |title=Box Office: Disney's 'Inside Out' Nabs Record-Breaking #2 Weekend With $91M Debut |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/06/21/box-office-disneys-inside-out-nabs-top-2-weekend-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203131757/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/06/21/box-office-disneys-inside-out-nabs-top-2-weekend-ever/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' led the July 21–23 weekend to a total revenue of $310.8 million, making it the fourth-largest aggregate domestic weekend ever, behind the weekends led by the openings of ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' (April 26–28, 2019, $402 million), ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'' (April 27–29, 2018, $314 million), and ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' (December 18–20, 2015, $313 million).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers – Weekend Box Office Chart for July 21, 2023 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/2023/07/21 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |website=The Numbers |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724220309/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/2023/07/21 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Karaian |first1=Jason |last2=Russell |first2=Karl |date=July 24, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' Weekend Was a Real Team Effort |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/24/business/barbie-oppenheimer-weekend-box-office.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724205155/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/24/business/barbie-oppenheimer-weekend-box-office.html |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Barbenheimer boosted box office values to their highest point since 2019 as part of a series of "unusual blockbusters". Summer 2023 film releases featured underperformances from franchise films, bucking a 10-year run of the highest-grossing summer movies being sequels. The Barbenheimer "jolt" arrived while the 2023 summer box office was 7 percent behind the 2022 season; by [[Labor Day]], the U.S summer box office had reached $4.1 billion, 19 percent ahead of the 2022 box office by the same date.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Robbie|last=Whelan|title='Barbenheimer' Gives Box Office A Needed Jolt|date=September 5, 2023|volume=CCLXXXII|number=55|page=B1}}</ref> {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Title ! colspan="3" | Box office gross ! rowspan="2" | Budget ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! U.S. and Canada ! Other territories ! Worldwide |- ! ''Barbie'' | $636,238,421 | $809,400,000 | $1,445,638,421 | $145,000,000 |<ref>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=1517268|title=Barbie (2023) |accessdate=August 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Paskin">{{cite magazine |last=Paskin |first=Willa |title=Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' Dream Job |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/magazine/greta-gerwig-barbie.html |magazine=The New York Times Magazine |accessdate=July 11, 2023 |date=July 11, 2023 |url-access=limited |archivedate=July 11, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711163054/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/magazine/greta-gerwig-barbie.html/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! ''Oppenheimer'' | $329,103,570 | $628,572,000 | $957,675,570 | $100,000,000 |<ref>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=15398776|title=Oppenheimer (2023) |accessdate=August 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=July 14, 2023 |title='This Can't Be Safe. It's Got to Have Bite': Christopher Nolan and Cast Unleash ''Oppenheimer'' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-cast-interview-film-1235535418/ |accessdate=July 15, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720013003/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-cast-interview-film-1235535418/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- ! Total | $965,341,991 | $1,437,972,000 | $2,403,313,991 | $245,000,000 | |} === Film industry reaction=== {{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = Robbie at 2019 Cannes (cropped).jpg | alt1 = | image2 = Cillian Murphy Press Conference The Party Berlinale 2017 02 (cropped).jpg | alt2 = | footer = ''Barbie'' star [[Margot Robbie]] and ''Oppenheimer'' star [[Cillian Murphy]] }} Tom Cruise, whom director [[Steven Spielberg]] proclaimed had "saved Hollywood's ass" with the success of ''Top Gun: Maverick'' the previous year,<ref name=saved>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Savannah |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Tom Cruise Endorses Your Barbie and Oppenheimer Double Feature |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/tom-cruise-endorses-your-barbie-and-oppenheimer-double-feature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628191558/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/tom-cruise-endorses-your-barbie-and-oppenheimer-double-feature |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> referred to ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' as a double feature in a [[Twitter]] post along with photographs of him and ''Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One'' director [[Christopher McQuarrie]] with tickets to the two films.<ref name=":6" />{{efn|Cruise planned to watch ''Oppenheimer'' first.<ref name="unstoppable" />}} Similarly, Gerwig and ''Barbie'' star [[Margot Robbie]] were featured in photographs on the ''Barbie'' Twitter holding up tickets to ''Oppenheimer'', as well as ''Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One''.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Garbutt |first=Emily |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie have accepted Tom Cruise's movie marathon mission |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/greta-gerwig-margot-robbie-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701165458/https://www.gamesradar.com/greta-gerwig-margot-robbie-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Total Film]]}}</ref>{{Efn|Both actor-director pairs also endorsed ''Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny''.<ref name=saved/><ref name=":6"/>}} At the premiere of ''[[Air (2023 film)|Air]]'', actor and ''Oppenheimer'' star [[Matt Damon]] told ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' that audiences are "allowed to go see two movies in a weekend".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chi |first=Paul |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Matt Damon Takes a Stand on Oppenheimer vs. Barbie |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/matt-damon-oppenheimer-barbie |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606095535/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/matt-damon-oppenheimer-barbie |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Director [[Francis Ford Coppola]] called the box office success of both films "a victory for cinema".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scorziello |first=Sophia |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Francis Ford Coppola Salutes 'Barbenheimer' Success: One-Offs Are a 'Victory for Cinema' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/francis-ford-coppola-barbie-oppenheimer-success-1235682948/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729222027/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/francis-ford-coppola-barbie-oppenheimer-success-1235682948/ |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Director [[Martin Scorsese]] called the event a "perfect storm" that offered hope for a "different cinema to emerge."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Devansh |title=Martin Scorsese interview: 'Barbie and Oppenheimer's success offers hope for a different cinema to emerge' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/martin-scorsese-interview-killers-of-the-flower-moon-leonardo-dicaprio-robert-de-niro-apple-tv-101695989444345.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008233442/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/martin-scorsese-interview-killers-of-the-flower-moon-leonardo-dicaprio-robert-de-niro-apple-tv-101695989444345.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the world premiere of ''Barbie'' in [[Los Angeles]], Gerwig and [[Issa Rae]] praised the double feature concept. Rae said, "I love that there's solidarity though where people tried to pit us against one another but now it's turned into like a double-feature situation".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chuba |first1=Kirsten |title=Greta Gerwig on 'Barbie' vs. 'Oppenheimer' Battle and Margot Robbie's Already-Iconic Foot: "I Did Always Think of the Arched Foot as a Bat Signal" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/greta-gerwig-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-margot-robbie-foot-1235531801/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=July 10, 2023 |date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710073351/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/greta-gerwig-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-margot-robbie-foot-1235531801/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with ''[[La Vanguardia]]'', ''Oppenheimer'' star [[Cillian Murphy]] endorsed the phenomenon, saying, "My advice would be for people to go see both, on the same day. If they are good films, then that's cinema's gain."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Fay |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Cillian Murphy gives Barbenheimer double bill his seal of approval |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cillian-murphy-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710102214/https://www.gamesradar.com/cillian-murphy-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodríguez |first1=Rafael |title=Cillian Murphy, 'Oppenheimer' contra 'Barbie': 'Ni héroes ni villanos; me interesan las sombras' |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/magazine/protagonistas/20230709/9091303/cillian-murphy-actor-irlandes-oppenheimer-peaky-blinders.html |access-date=July 14, 2023 |work=[[La Vanguardia]] |publisher=La Vanguardia Ediciones |date=July 9, 2023 |language=es-ES |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710132911/https://www.lavanguardia.com/magazine/protagonistas/20230709/9091303/cillian-murphy-actor-irlandes-oppenheimer-peaky-blinders.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[London]] premiere for ''Barbie'', Robbie said she wants a Barbenheimer shirt signed by Murphy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2023/07/14/what-is-barbenheimer-film-fans-rejoice-over-bizarre-double-feature-weekend.html |title=What is 'Barbenheimer?' Film fans rejoice over bizarre double-feature weekend |date=July 14, 2023 |last=Jiang |first=Kevin |work=[[Toronto Star]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717161753/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2023/07/14/what-is-barbenheimer-film-fans-rejoice-over-bizarre-double-feature-weekend.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Japanese response === The Barbenheimer phenomenon sparked negative reactions in [[Japan]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carleton |first=Don |date=August 4, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' highlights U.S. ignorance of nuclear reality |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/08/04/japan/barbie-oppenheimer-nuclear-weapons/ |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=The Japan Times |language=en |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806084017/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/08/04/japan/barbie-oppenheimer-nuclear-weapons/ |url-status=live }}</ref> where ''Oppenheimer'' is seen as a controversial film, and has not been screened.<ref>{{Cite news |title=In Japan "Oppenheimer" is causing consternation |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/08/10/in-japan-oppenheimer-is-causing-consternation |access-date=August 14, 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814083924/https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/08/10/in-japan-oppenheimer-is-causing-consternation |url-status=live }}</ref> When the live-action ''Barbie'' film's official Twitter account (@barbiethemovie) reacted favorably to image designs created by fans that incorporated the [[mushroom cloud]] of and fire from an atomic bomb and punning ("It will be a blast"), it was met with anger<ref name=NYT/> and intense disdain within Japan.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2307/31/news104.html |script-title=ja:映画「バービー」公式、海外の"原爆ファンアート"にハートつきで「忘れられない夏になりそう」 日本では批判の声続出 |date=July 31, 2023 |access-date=July 31, 2023|website=itmedia.co.jp|language=ja|archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731130745/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2307/31/news104.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was attributed to Japan's educational emphasis on the destruction caused by nuclear weapons,{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} as the only country to have been [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|attacked by them]]. As a result, mushroom clouds and atomic bombs were considered inappropriate for casual or comedic usage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cain |first=Sian |date=August 1, 2023 |title=#Barbenheimer backlash: Japan rejects co-marketing of Barbie and Oppenheimer as trivialising nuclear war |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/01/not-big-in-japan-country-rejects-co-marketing-of-barbie-and-oppenheimer-as-trivialising-nuclear-war |access-date=August 1, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801044124/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/01/not-big-in-japan-country-rejects-co-marketing-of-barbie-and-oppenheimer-as-trivialising-nuclear-war |url-status=live }}</ref> The timing of the incidents also coincided with the 78th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.<ref name="reuters 2023-08-03">{{cite news |first=Rocky |last=Swift |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-opening-barbie-marred-by-controversy-ahead-nuclear-memorials-2023-08-03/ |title=Japan opening of 'Barbie' marred by controversy ahead of nuclear memorials |work=[[Reuters]] |date=August 3, 2023 |accessdate=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803133850/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-opening-barbie-marred-by-controversy-ahead-nuclear-memorials-2023-08-03/ |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Barbie'' was also released in Japan on August 11, 2023, just two days after the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nishiyama |first1=Mamoru |title=炎上｢バービー｣日本人も見る価値アリと言える訳 |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/694448 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |work=東洋経済オンライン |date=August 14, 2023 |language=ja |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821102842/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/694448 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Change.org]] petition demanding an apology from the official ''Barbie'' Twitter account was launched, acquiring over 22,600 signatures.<ref>{{cite news | first1=Kantaro |last1=Komiya | first2=Akiko |last2=Okamoto |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hollywood-blockbuster-barbie-opens-japan-after-atomic-bomb-controversy-2023-08-11/ |title='Barbie' movie opens in Japan after atomic bomb controversy |work=[[Reuters]] | date=August 3, 2023 |accessdate=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813013553/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hollywood-blockbuster-barbie-opens-japan-after-atomic-bomb-controversy-2023-08-11/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The hashtag #NoBarbenheimer trended on Twitter, with over 100,000 retweets.<ref name="reuters 2023-08-03"/> Some Japanese users also made memes showing the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|Twin Towers]] [[September 11 attacks|with pink smoke]] or Barbie hanging out with [[Osama bin Laden]] to show Americans their perspective on the bombing of Japan during World War II, though this is widely viewed as having backfired due to many Americans' taste for [[Humor based on the September 11 attacks|9/11 humor]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Edwards |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/social-media-users-in-japan-share-9-11-memes-in-response-barbenheimer-promotion-3477657 |title=Social media users in Japan share 9/11 memes in response to Barbenheimer promotion |work=[[NME]] |date=August 3, 2023 |accessdate=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803162149/https://www.nme.com/news/film/social-media-users-in-japan-share-9-11-memes-in-response-barbenheimer-promotion-3477657 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Japanese branch of Warner Bros. issued a statement of regret on July 31, 2023 ([[Japan Standard Time|JST]]) through its own Twitter account for the ''Barbie'' film (@BarbieMovie_jp), condemning the actions of the U.S. headquarters and urging them to "take appropriate action." On the night of July 31, 2023 ([[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]), Warner's headquarters issued a statement to news outlets, writing that it regrets "its recent insensitive social media engagement" and that it "offers a sincere apology ", and the ''Barbie'' film's American Twitter account reportedly began to delete the replies in question.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |last2=Ntim |first2=Zac |title=Warner Bros. U.S. Responds To Barbenheimer Criticism Out Of Japan |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-warner-bros-japan-social-media-posts-1235451347/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=July 31, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801140650/https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-warner-bros-japan-social-media-posts-1235451347/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |last2=Frater |first2=Patrick |title=Warner Bros. Apologizes After 'Barbenheimer' Posts Spark Criticism From Studio's Japan Unit |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/warner-bros-japan-criticizes-barbie-twitter-barbenheimer-posts-1235683885/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 1, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801154243/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/warner-bros-japan-criticizes-barbie-twitter-barbenheimer-posts-1235683885/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last1=Dooley |first1=Ben |last2=Ueno |first2=Hisako |title=Anger Over 'Barbenheimer' in Nuclear-Scarred Japan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/world/asia/japan-barbenheimer.html |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 1, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801154241/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/world/asia/japan-barbenheimer.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mitsuki Takahata]], who provides the voice of Barbie in the Japanese dub of the film, voiced her disappointment on her [[Instagram]] account and stated that she had considered dropping out of a promotional event planned to take place on August 11, 2023.<ref name="reuters 2023-08-03"/> === Analysis === ''[[The Economist]]'' observed that the "two films encapsulate some of the caprices of the modern movie industry", with ''Barbie'' being an [[Intellectual property|IP]]-driven film projected to gross twice as much (in its opening weekend) as ''Oppenheimer'', a [[Standalone film|standalone]] film. The paper also concluded that, in the advent of the increased [[nuclear anxiety]] following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] and developments around the nuclear arsenals of [[China and weapons of mass destruction|China]] and [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korea]], audiences are less willing to see a [[Realism (arts)|realist]] drama film such as ''Oppenheimer'' than they are eager to see an [[Escapist fiction|escapist]] comedy film such as ''Barbie'', recalling similar instances of the dynamic in American film history.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Realism with 'Oppenheimer', or escapism with 'Barbie'? |magazine=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/07/14/realism-with-oppenheimer-or-escapism-with-barbie |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 18, 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720064518/https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/07/14/realism-with-oppenheimer-or-escapism-with-barbie |url-status=live }}</ref> Senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian of [[Comscore]] opined that the Barbenheimer phenomenon was unprecedented, feeling that ordinarily, the simultaneous release of two significant films would have "cannibalized" each other, but in the case of Barbenheimer, would be "additive and complementary". He believes that the phenomenon would attract a wide demographic, with older audiences hearing about ''Oppenheimer'' through review pieces and listening to the radio, while ''Barbie'' would draw a big audience on its opening weekend because its '[[fear of missing out]]' factor "is going to be off the charts".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Carson |date=July 18, 2023 |title='I've Never Seen Anything Like This': Why Barbenheimer Has Box Office Analysts Reeling |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-why-barbenheimer-has-box-office-analysts-reeling |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722131321/https://www.ign.com/articles/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-why-barbenheimer-has-box-office-analysts-reeling }}</ref> Writing for ''FirstShowing'', Alex Billington compared how philosophical both films were, citing concepts present in each such as [[existentialism]], [[Marcel Proust]], and how both protagonists discover truth similar to [[Plato's Cave]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Billington |first1=Alex |title=Making Sense of Life - On the Philosophy of 'Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer' |date=July 24, 2023 |url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/making-sense-of-life-on-the-philosophy-of-barbie-oppenheimer/ |work=FirstShowing |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192505/https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/making-sense-of-life-on-the-philosophy-of-barbie-oppenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Slavoj Žižek]], in ''[[The New Statesman]]'', argues that both films feature main characters that attempt to escape fantasy and uncover a deeper reality, only to discover that their reality itself is constituted in relation to fantasy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Žižek |first=Slavoj |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Barbie can't handle the truth |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-essay/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-fantasy-reality-truth-films |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=The New Statesman |language=en-US |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230722091744/https://www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-essay/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-fantasy-reality-truth-films |url-status=live |url-access=registration }}</ref> Though the Internet joke began as a reference to the two films' seeming differences, some writers have pointed out similarities between them, including that "Nolan and Gerwig are both [Oscar-nominated] directors,{{efn|name=OscarNoms}} both have huge ensemble casts of stars, and they are both produced by husband and wife production companies".{{efn|name=Husband-and-wife}}<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Logan |date=July 21, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer': Which movie will you choose? |url=https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/07/barbenheimer-which-movie-will-you-choose/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723004801/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/07/barbenheimer-which-movie-will-you-choose/#selection-973.0-973.255 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=East Idaho News}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'', critic Darren Mooney also found similarities between the two films, noting that both "are about the relationship that exists between imagination and reality, as well as about what happens when ideas begin to manifest themselves in the corporeal world. In both cases, the results are fundamentally terrifying, although the movies reach decidedly different conclusions."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mooney |first1=Darren |title=Barbie and Oppenheimer are about ideas made real |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-about-ideas-made-real-barbenheimer |date=July 24, 2023 |website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |accessdate=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724155444/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-about-ideas-made-real-barbenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sonia Rao of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' notes that the two films share a common notion: "The corruptibility of men".<ref name="WP-20230726">{{cite news |last=Rao |first=Sonia |title=Why 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are the perfect double feature – You thought 'Barbenheimer' was a joke? The summer movies actually have a common theme: The corruptibility of men |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/07/26/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-patriarchy/ |date=July 26, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230726125436/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/07/26/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-patriarchy/ |archivedate=July 26, 2023 |accessdate=July 27, 2023 }}</ref> Also in the ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Tyler Austin Harper wrote that both films explore the theoretical notion of the [[Anthropocene]], the geological epoch defined by humanity's impact: "Despite their apparent differences, both ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' tell the story of core ideas of the 20th century: accelerating militarism and unbounded consumption, ideas which might well outlive our species in the form of plastic and plutonium's lingering traces across our fragile planet."<ref name="WP-20230719">{{cite news |last1=Harper |first1=Tyler Austin |last2=Shendruk |first2=Amanda |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' tell the same terrifying story |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/19/barbie-oppenheimer-movies-anthropocene/ |date=July 19, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230719171231/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/19/barbie-oppenheimer-movies-anthropocene/ |archivedate=July 19, 2023 |accessdate=July 22, 2023 }}</ref> Jake Coyle of the [[Associated Press]] analyzed the box office gross of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' and noted that their success may point to audiences wanting more originality in films, following "flopbusters" like ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny]]'', both of which became [[box-office bomb]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Coyle |first=Jake |title=In 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' smash success, audiences send message to Hollywood: Give us something new |url=https://apnews.com/article/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-box-office-d07dce60b4726b2c168c228e1a405c70 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |work=[[AP News]] |date=July 24, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724211709/https://apnews.com/article/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-box-office-d07dce60b4726b2c168c228e1a405c70 |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for IndieWire, Eric Kohn repeated the sentiment, "audiences want originality and invention, not endless sequels", suggesting studios would benefit from cultivating young, visionary directors at [[film festivals]]. Kohn also cautioned that rather than attempting to replicate Barbenheimer's success, studios would benefit more by considering why it can’t be replicated.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohn |first1=Eric |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-lessons-for-hollywood-1234889494/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Are Hits: 5 Lessons Hollywood Should Learn from Them |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810024755/https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-lessons-for-hollywood-1234889494/ |url-status=live |date=July 29, 2023}}</ref> [[File:Oppenheimer & Barbie 20230816 HOF06131 RAW-Export.png|thumb|Cinema showing ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' in [[Hof, Bavaria]]; several German journalists attributed the success of Barbenheimer to astroturfing]] Journalist Larissa Kuhnert from German newspaper ''[[Neues Deutschland]]'' attributed the success of the phenomenon to [[astroturfing]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Larissa Kuhnert |url=https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1175164.barbenheimer-barbie-und-oppenheimer-mit-memes-zum-erfolg.html |title=Barbie und Oppenheimer: Mit Memes zum Erfolg |trans-title=Barbie and Oppenheimer: With memes to success |work=[[Neues Deutschland]] |date=July 31, 2023 |access-date=August 2, 2023|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802062746/https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1175164.barbenheimer-barbie-und-oppenheimer-mit-memes-zum-erfolg.html |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to journalist Thomas Koch from the German magazine ''[[Wirtschaftswoche]]'', the success of Barbenheimer is said to have been planned by Mattel Marketing.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Thomas Koch |url=https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/werbesprech-was-oppenheimer-und-wir-von-barbie-lernen-koennen/29288146.html |title=Was Oppenheimer und wir von Barbie lernen können |trans-title=What Oppenheimer and we can learn from Barbie |magazine=[[Wirtschaftswoche]] |quotation=„[[Der Freitag]]“ schreibt über #Barbenheimer von einem nicht geplanten Social-Media-Phänomen. Das ist nicht ganz richtig. Das Phänomen war tatsächlich minutiös von den Marketing-Profis bei Mattel geplant. |trans-quote=''[[Der Freitag]]'' writes about #Barbenheimer by an unplanned social media phenomenon. That is not completely right. The phenomenon was actually meticulously planned by the marketing professionals at Mattel. |date=August 1, 2023 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |language=de |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802091402/https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/werbesprech-was-oppenheimer-und-wir-von-barbie-lernen-koennen/29288146.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Reviews === Of critics reviewing the double feature, an ''[[SFGate]]'' reviewer who watched ''Barbie'' first judged it to be the better film and "kinda hope[d]" Gerwig would make a film about Oppenheimer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Drew |last=Magary |author-link=Drew Magary |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/barbie-oppenheimer-review-18254213.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight |title=I saw 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' back to back. One may be its director's worst film |website=SFGate |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723063755/https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/barbie-oppenheimer-review-18254213.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight |url-status=live }}</ref> An ''[[IndieWire]]'' reviewer who watched ''Oppenheimer'' first (with several audience members dressed in pink and one wearing a ''Barbenheimer'' T-shirt) said the films worked "decently" as a double feature.<ref>{{cite web |first=Wilson |last=Chapman |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-reviewed-1234886761/ |title=The Barbenheimer Experience, Reviewed: Do These Movies Actually Work as a Double Feature? |website=IndieWire |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192513/https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-reviewed-1234886761/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the other hand, a reviewer in ''[[The Guardian]]'' who also watched ''Oppenheimer'' first compared the experience to [[whiplash (medicine)|whiplash]] and to "having your mother's funeral invaded by a flashmob of parking circus clowns".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/22/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature|title=I survived the Barbie–Oppenheimer double-bill and I don't recommend it|first=Stuart|last=Heritage|date=July 22, 2023|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=July 23, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724154754/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/22/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature|url-status=live}}</ref> In a paired review in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' that criticized both films, [[Anthony Lane]] found similarity in performances that, in his opinion, threaten to overshadow the starring roles: "[J]ust as Downey &#91;[[Robert Downey Jr.]], as [[Lewis Strauss]]&#93; threatens to pull Nolan's film out of orbit, so, in "Barbie," does Gosling &#91;[[Ryan Gosling]], as [[Ken (doll)|Ken]]&#93; attract a dangerous share of the dramatic energy". The review also noted that in both films, characters describe the premise of the film as "impossible".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Anthony |last=Lane |author-link=Anthony Lane |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/oppenheimer-movie-review-barbie |title=How 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie' Bring Monumental Figures to Life |magazine=The New Yorker |orig-date=July 20, 2023 |date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723102346/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/oppenheimer-movie-review-barbie |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> === Accolades === {{Further|List of accolades received by Barbie (film)|List of accolades received by Oppenheimer (film)|label1=List of accolades received by ''Barbie'' (film)|label2=List of accolades received by ''Oppenheimer'' (film)}} ''Variety'' and ''[[IndieWire]]'' projected both films to be [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] contenders, including several categories which could pit both films against each other.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Clayton |title=Oscars Predictions 2024: 'Oppenheimer', 'Barbie' Among Blockbuster Movies Vying for Awards Season Consideration |url=https://variety.com/lists/2024-oscar-predictions/best-picture-4/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719032138/https://variety.com/lists/2024-oscar-predictions/best-picture-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohn |first1=Eric |title='Barbenheimer' Could Last Through Oscar Season |date=July 21, 2023 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/video/barbenheimer-oscar-season-screen-talk-441-1234886752/ |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721205348/https://www.indiewire.com/video/barbenheimer-oscar-season-screen-talk-441-1234886752/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' received the most nominations of any film that year with 13, ahead of ''Barbie'''s eight, overlapping in six categories: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Oscar Nominations: Diversified Voting Throws The Love Around As 'Oppenheimer' Tops With 13, With 'Poor Things', 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' And 'Barbie' Close Behind – Full List |date=January 23, 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |publisher=Deadline |access-date=23 January 2024 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123133912/https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' would go on to win the most Oscars of any film that year, with seven, while the lone win for ''Barbie'' was for Best Song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Brent |title='Oppenheimer' Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director: Full Winners List |date=March 10, 2024 |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/oscar-winners-2024-list-1235932341/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=11 March 2024}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width: 99%;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width: 15%;" | Oscar Categories |- ! scope="col" style="width: 14.2%;" | ''[[Barbie (film)|Barbie]]'' ! scope="col" style="width: 14.2%;" | ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'' |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] |{{nominated| [[David Heyman]], [[Margot Robbie]], [[Tom Ackerley]] and [[Robbie Brenner]]}} | {{won| [[Emma Thomas]], [[Charles Roven]] and [[Christopher Nolan]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|Christopher Nolan}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Cillian Murphy]] <small>as [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] | {{nominated|[[Ryan Gosling]] <small>as [[Ken (doll)|Ken]]</small>}} | {{won|[[Robert Downey Jr.]] <small>as [[Lewis Strauss]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] | {{nominated|[[America Ferrera]] <small>as Gloria</small>}} | {{nominated|[[Emily Blunt]] <small>as [[Katherine Oppenheimer|Kitty Oppenheimer]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] | {{nominated|[[Greta Gerwig]] and [[Noah Baumbach]]; <small>based on [[List of Barbie's friends and family|characters]] created by [[Ruth Handler]]</small>}} | {{nominated|Christopher Nolan; <small>based on the biography ''[[American Prometheus]]'' by [[Kai Bird]] and [[Martin J. Sherwin]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Hoyte van Hoytema]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Editing]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Jennifer Lame]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]] | {{nominated|[[Jacqueline Durran]]}} | {{nominated|[[Ellen Mirojnick]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]] | {{nominated|[[Sarah Greenwood]] <small>(production design)</small>; [[Katie Spencer]] <small>(set decoration)</small>}} | {{nominated|Ruth De Jong <small>(production design)</small>; Claire Kaufman <small>(set decoration)</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup and Hairstyling]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{nominated|Luisa Abel}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{nominated|[[Willie D. Burton|Willie Burton]], [[Richard King (sound designer)|Richard King]], [[Kevin O'Connell (sound mixer)|Kevin O'Connell]], and [[Gary Rizzo|Gary A. Rizzo]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Score]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Ludwig Göransson]]}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan=2| [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Song]] | {{nominated|"[[I'm Just Ken]]" (music and lyrics by [[Mark Ronson]] and [[Andrew Wyatt]])}} | colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} |- |{{won|"[[What Was I Made For?]]" (music and lyrics by [[Billie Eilish]] and [[Finneas O'Connell]])}} | colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} |} Both films led the nominations at the [[81st Golden Globe Awards]], with ''Barbie'' gaining a leading nine nods and ''Oppenheimer'' trailing with eight.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/11/golden-globes-barbie-2024-nominations-scorsese-oppenheimer-yorgos-yanthimos|title=It's Barbenheimer mark two at the Golden Globes as the two blockbusters face off once again|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|date=December 11, 2023|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 12, 2023|archive-date=December 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226234207/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/11/golden-globes-barbie-2024-nominations-scorsese-oppenheimer-yorgos-yanthimos|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' won five Golden Globes including Best Drama, Director and Actor, while ''Barbie'' won two, Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coyle |first1=Jack |title='Poor Things' upsets 'Barbie' to win best comedy at Golden Globes |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/us/oppenheimer-leading-golden-globes-with-wins-for-murphy-downey-jr-and-nolan/ar-AA1mBasR |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307025001/https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/us/oppenheimer-leading-golden-globes-with-wins-for-murphy-downey-jr-and-nolan/ar-AA1mBasR |url-status=live }}</ref> Both films also led the nominations at [[29th Critics' Choice Awards]] with ''Barbie'' receiving a record-breaking 18 and ''Oppenheimer'' securing 13 nominations, tied for second-most with [[Yorgos Lanthimos]]'s [[Victorian era]] [[black comedy]] ''[[Poor Things (film)|Poor Things]]''.<ref name="Film Nominations">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/critics-choice-film-nominations-2023-1235665954/ |title=The Critics Choice is 'Barbie' with 18 CCA Nominations; 'Oppenheimer', 'Poor Things' Follow with 13 Each |last=Hammond |first=Pete |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=December 13, 2023 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215094347/https://deadline.com/2023/12/critics-choice-film-nominations-2023-1235665954/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' walked away with eight awards, the most of the night, including Best Picture and Best Director. ''Barbie'' secured six wins, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Comedy, and America Ferrera, one of the film's actors, received the #SeeHer Award. They also led the nominations at the [[30th Screen Actors Guild Awards]], with both films receiving four nods.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Niamh |title=SAG Awards nominations: Barbenheimer, Succession and The Crown dominate - along with plenty of British talent |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sag-awards-nominations-barbenheimer-succession-and-the-crown-dominate-along-with-plenty-of-british-talent-13045357 |website=Sky News |date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110210825/https://news.sky.com/story/sag-awards-nominations-barbenheimer-succession-and-the-crown-dominate-along-with-plenty-of-british-talent-13045357 |url-status=live }}</ref> == Notes == {{notelist|refs= {{efn|name=OscarNoms|At the [[90th Academy Awards]] held on March 4, 2018, both Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan were nominated in [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] for ''[[Lady Bird (film)|Lady Bird]]'' and ''[[Dunkirk (2017 film)|Dunkirk]]'', respectively. Gerwig was also nominated in [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] for ''Lady Bird'' at the 90th Oscars, and in [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] for ''[[Little Women (2019 film)|Little Women]]'' at the [[92nd Academy Awards|92nd Oscars]] (February 9, 2020), while Nolan was also nominated in Best Original Screenplay for ''[[Memento (film)|Memento]]'' at the [[74th Academy Awards|74th Oscars]] (March 24, 2002), and for ''[[Inception]]'' at the [[83rd Academy Awards|83rd Oscars]] (February 27, 2011).}} {{efn|name=Husband-and-wife|[[Margot Robbie]] and [[Tom Ackerley]]'s [[LuckyChap Entertainment]] for ''Barbie'', and Nolan and [[Emma Thomas]]' [[Syncopy Inc.]] for ''Oppenheimer''.}} }} == See also == * [[2023 in film]] * [[United States in the 1950s]] * [[Cold War]] * [[Optimism]] and [[pessimism]] == References == {{reflist}} == Further reading == *{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/barbenheimer-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-61a6ec6c67359b851ddeccd6d655b5ab |title=The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer's most online movie showdown |date=July 14, 2023 |last=Bahr |first=Lindsey |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717002421/https://apnews.com/article/barbenheimer-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-61a6ec6c67359b851ddeccd6d655b5ab |url-status=live }} *{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 23, 2023 |title='Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer': A Rundown Of All The Box Office Records Broken |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-records-1235445928/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723191226/https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-records-1235445928/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-barbenheimer-day-double-feature.html |title=The Dawn of Barbenheimer |date=July 7, 2023 |last=Frank |first=Jason |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709050501/https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-barbenheimer-day-double-feature.html |url-status=live }} *{{Cite web |last1=Ocampo |first1=Josh |last2=Dargis |first2=Manohla |date=July 21, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' and a Film Critic's Perspective, in Review |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/insider/barbie-oppenheimer-critic.html |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721073141/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/insider/barbie-oppenheimer-critic.html/ |url-status=live }} *{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23790471/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-summer-movies-2023 |title=Barbenheimer is just the beginning of this year's summer blockbuster season |date=July 11, 2023 |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |work=[[The Verge]] |access-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717161741/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23790471/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-summer-movies-2023 |url-status=live }} ==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Wiktionary-inline|Barbenheimer}} {{Barbie}} {{Manhattan Project}} {{Greta Gerwig}} {{Christopher Nolan}} [[Category:2023 in American cinema]] [[Category:2023 neologisms]] [[Category:Advertising campaigns]] [[Category:Barbie]] [[Category:Black comedy]] [[Category:Christopher Nolan]] [[Category:Comparisons]] [[Category:Cultural depictions of J. Robert Oppenheimer]] [[Category:Film controversies in Japan]] [[Category:Film and television memes]] [[Category:Greta Gerwig]] [[Category:Internet memes introduced from the United States]] [[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2023]] [[Category:July 2023 events]] [[Category:Viral marketing]] [[Category:Barbie (film)]]'
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'{{Short description|2023 Internet phenomenon}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Multiple image | perrow = 1/2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = Barbenheimer_on_display.jpg | alt1 = The Fine Arts Theatre in Asheville, North Carolina, United States, displaying showtimes for both films | caption1 = <!-- Do not add caption here per talk page. Feel free to reopen discussion. --> | image2 = Ruth Handler in 1961.jpg | alt2 = Barbie creator [[Ruth Handler]] with Barbie dolls | caption2 = | image3 = Oppenheimer (cropped).jpg | alt3 = Vintage photograph of Robert Oppenheimer | caption3 = |footer = [[Barbie]] creator [[Ruth Handler]] and [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]] }} <!-- Do not add "The term" per WP:ISATERMFOR -->'''Barbenheimer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑːr|b|ə|n|h|aɪ|m|ər}} {{Respell|BAR|bən|hy|mər}}){{efn|Also known as '''Oppenbarbie''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɒ|p|ən|b|ɑːr|b|i}} {{Respell|OP|ən|bar|bee}}), '''Barbieheimer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑːr|b|i|h|aɪ|m|ər}} {{Respell|BAR|bee|hy|mər}}),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Barbieheimer: It's black. It's pink. It's more meaningful than you think |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23789864/barbenheimer-barbieheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-release-memes-double-feature |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710223328/https://www.vox.com/culture/23789864/barbenheimer-barbieheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-release-memes-double-feature |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Everything to know about Barbieheimer, the summer's hottest trend |url=https://ew.com/movies/barbieheimer-everything-to-know/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201140022/https://ew.com/movies/barbieheimer-everything-to-know/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beckerman |first=Jim |title=Why are moviegoers so excited to see 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' together? |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/07/10/barbie-oppenheimer-release-on-the-same-day/70395685007/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[North Jersey Media Group]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155739/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/07/10/barbie-oppenheimer-release-on-the-same-day/70395685007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and '''Boppenheimer''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɒ|p|ən|h|aɪ|m|ər}} {{respelling|BOP|ən|hy|mər}}).<ref name=":0" />}}<!-- Do not change to "refers to" per WP:REFERSTO --> is a cultural phenomenon which preceded and continues to surround the simultaneous [[theatrical release]] of two films, [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]'s ''[[Barbie (film)|Barbie]]'' and [[Universal Pictures]]'s ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'', on July 21, 2023. The word is a [[Blend word|portmanteau]] of the films' titles. The strong contrast between ''Barbie''—a [[fantasy comedy]] by [[Greta Gerwig]] about the fashion doll [[Barbie]]—and ''Oppenheimer''—an [[Epic film|epic]] [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[Thriller film|thriller]] by [[Christopher Nolan]] about physicist [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]], scientific director of the [[Manhattan Project]]—prompted a comedic response from Internet users, including [[Internet meme|memes]], merchandise and memorabilia. ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' described the two films as "extreme opposites", and ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the phenomenon "the movie event of the year".<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=July 30, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Barbie' Dances to $775M Globally, Days Away From Joining Billion-Dollar Club |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-billion-dollar-club-1235547643/ |access-date=July 31, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731023644/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-billion-dollar-club-1235547643/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The simultaneous release was an instance of [[counterprogramming (film distribution)|counterprogramming]]. As the release date approached, discussion centered on the appositeness of watching the films as a [[double feature]], as well as in what order to watch them, instead of generating a rivalry. Cast members of both responded by encouraging audiences to watch the films on the same day. Celebrity participants included actor [[Tom Cruise]], who purchased tickets to watch both while his latest film, ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'', was still playing in theaters. While the phenomenon began as a joke about the two films' seemingly endless differences, some media commentators have pointed out similarities; both films have been analyzed as exploring [[existentialism]] and the theoretical notion of the [[Anthropocene]], each has an [[Academy Award]]-nominated director and screenwriter{{efn|name=OscarNoms}} and a large [[ensemble cast]], and both were produced by a husband-and-wife [[production company]].{{efn|name=Husband-and-wife}} Both ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' received critical acclaim{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2023/07/25/barbenheimer-box-office-audiences-want-more-movies-without-jedi-superhero/amp/ |title='Barbenheimer' box office shows audiences want more movies without a Jedi or superhero &#124; Fortune |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803012451/https://fortune.com/2023/07/25/barbenheimer-box-office-audiences-want-more-movies-without-jedi-superhero/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/barbie-oppenheimer-biggest-second-weekend-presales-ever/ |title='Barbenheimer' Set for Biggest Second Weekend Presales of All Time |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=July 28, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731200926/https://collider.com/barbie-oppenheimer-biggest-second-weekend-presales-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/ |title='Barbenheimer' nets combined $235 million during opening weekend |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725164935/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Bill Maher's 'Barbie' Movie Review Is a Total Embarrassment |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/bill-maher-barbie-movie-review-twitter-patriarchy-lame-1234803114/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |quote=The movie was released to near-universal critical acclaim and has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816220607/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/bill-maher-barbie-movie-review-twitter-patriarchy-lame-1234803114/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smart |first=Jack |title=Marc Maron Slams the 'Certain Men' Who 'Took Offense' to 'Barbie' Movie: 'So Embarrassing for Them' |url=https://people.com/marc-maron-slams-men-who-took-offense-to-barbie-7569130 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=People |language=en |quote=“Certain men” notwithstanding, Barbie has received critical acclaim and commercial success. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172106/https://people.com/marc-maron-slams-men-who-took-offense-to-barbie-7569130 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Barbie vs Oppenheimer at Box Office: Who won at the preview and what else now? |work=[[The Economic Times]] |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/barbie-vs-oppenheimer-at-box-office-who-won-at-the-preview-and-what-else-now/articleshow/102024360.cms |access-date=August 16, 2023 |issn=0013-0389 |quote=Lastly, the much-anticipated box office battle between Warner Bros' Barbie and Universal's Oppenheimer has generated an impressive buzz, with both films receiving critical acclaim and strong presales. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172105/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/barbie-vs-oppenheimer-at-box-office-who-won-at-the-preview-and-what-else-now/articleshow/102024360.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oppenheimer |first=Jerry |date=July 15, 2023 |title=Barbie battle: Two women claim to inspire Margot Robbie |url=https://nypost.com/2023/07/15/battle-to-be-the-real-barbie-how-two-barbaras-lay-claim-to-inspiring-the-doll-margot-robbie-plays/ |work=[[New York Post]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |language=en-US |quote=“Barbie” is driving its way to box-office gold, with a combination of hype, critical acclaim and pre-bookings already selling out. |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818145426/https://nypost.com/2023/07/15/battle-to-be-the-real-barbie-how-two-barbaras-lay-claim-to-inspiring-the-doll-margot-robbie-plays/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Marc Maron Trounces Right-Wing 'Barbie' Haters As 'Insecure Babies' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marc-maron-barbie-haters-greta-gerwig_n_64cb7a95e4b0fd06594fcff0 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en |quote=“Barbie” hit theaters last month to critical acclaim and broke the box office record its first weekend for a film directed by a woman. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172057/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marc-maron-barbie-haters-greta-gerwig_n_64cb7a95e4b0fd06594fcff0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2023 |title=All the reasons why Barbie has been a record-breaking box office success |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44687258/barbie-box-office-explained/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |quote=The obvious place to start with why Barbie has proven such a draw at the box office is that it's genuinely a great movie. It currently holds an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and achieved an A CinemaScore rating, giving it both critical acclaim and popular appeal, the latter almost definitely leading to repeat viewings. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172057/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44687258/barbie-box-office-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=July 25, 2023 |title='Barbie' Oscar Dilemma: Warner Bros. Weighs Original or Adapted Screenplay Consideration |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/barbie-screenplay-oscars-original-adapted-1235678928/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |quote=“Barbie” is a box office smash, along with its acclaim from critics and audiences alike. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172057/https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/barbie-screenplay-oscars-original-adapted-1235678928/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Qureshi |first=Bilal |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and 'Barbie' made for one epic summer trifecta |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/11/1193283472/barbie-taylor-swift-beyonce |website=NPR |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote=The hype surrounding Barbie, Beyoncé's Renaissance, and Taylor's Eras tour is commensurate with the sheer amount of resources, time and attention so many Americans of all races, genders and ages are devoting to being part of this moment. Critical acclaim has followed each of these works, layers of meaning are being made. |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815191331/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/11/1193283472/barbie-taylor-swift-beyonce |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Dani |date=August 4, 2023 |title='Lawyer Barbie' Sharon Rooney never wants to let Barbieland go |url=https://harpersbazaar.com.au/sharon-rooney-barbie-interview/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Harper's Bazaar Australia |language=en-US |quote=But perhaps Barbie‘s greatest impact — and legacy, in time — is not its box office success, critical acclaim, or social media domination. |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816172110/https://harpersbazaar.com.au/sharon-rooney-barbie-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and exceeded box-office expectations.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mastrangelo |first=Dominick |date=July 25, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' nets combined $235 million during opening weekend |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjq3v3WpqqAAxUgFzQIHanDCpQQFnoECA0QAQ%26usg%3DAOvVaw1xTvQeckHrf0OFIVftdZNC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725165224/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4118295-barbenheimer-nets-combined-235-million-during-opening-weekend/amp/%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjq3v3WpqqAAxUgFzQIHanDCpQQFnoECA0QAQ%26usg%3DAOvVaw1xTvQeckHrf0OFIVftdZNC/ |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=The Hill}}</ref> Their joint opening weekend was the fourth-largest at the American box office, and both rank among the [[2023 in film#Highest-grossing films|highest-grossing films of 2023]]. The phenomenon also extended to the year's awards season, in which both films emerged as leading contenders. The films earned a combined 21 nominations at the [[96th Academy Awards]], both films nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]], with ''Oppenheimer'' receiving the most of the year at 13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 {{!}} Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=www.oscars.org |language=en |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123165951/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==History== ===Release date dispute=== {{further|Oppenheimer (film)#Development|Barbie (film)#Development|label1=''Oppenheimer'' (film) § Development|label2=''Barbie'' (film) § Development}} {{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = Greta Gerwig at Barbie Movie Reception (headshot).jpg | alt1 = Greta Gerwig | image2 = Christopher Nolan, London, 2013 (crop).jpg | alt2 = Christopher Nolan | footer = ''Barbie'' director [[Greta Gerwig]] and ''Oppenheimer'' director [[Christopher Nolan]] }} In December 2020, citing the [[impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema]], [[WarnerMedia]], the then-[[parent company]] of [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], announced it would release all 17 of its upcoming 2021 films exclusively on its streaming service, [[Max (streaming service)|HBO Max]], in what was nicknamed "Project Popcorn". This decision was heavily criticized the same month by director [[Christopher Nolan]], whose films had been distributed by Warner Bros. since 2002's ''[[Insomnia (2002 film)|Insomnia]]''. In a statement to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Nolan said, "Some of our industry's biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service." He also said that Warner Bros. "[doesn't] even understand what they're losing", and that the "decision [made] no economic sense".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Kim |date=December 8, 2020 |title=Christopher Nolan Rips HBO Max as 'Worst Streaming Service', Denounces Warner Bros.' Plan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan-4101408/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155752/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan-4101408/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=John |date=December 7, 2020 |title=Christopher Nolan Reflects on ''Tenet'' Release, Reacts to Warner Bros./HBO Max Deal (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/christopher-nolan-reflects-on-tenet-release-reacts-to-warner-broshbo-max-deal-exclusive-157414 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009205545/https://www.etonline.com/christopher-nolan-reflects-on-tenet-release-reacts-to-warner-broshbo-max-deal-exclusive-157414 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref> Warner Bros. eventually backed off from the streaming-exclusive releasing plan for their feature films in March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=McClintock|first1=Pamela|date=October 27, 2021|title='Project Popcorn': WarnerMedia's Box Office-HBO Max Experiment Gets Mixed Results|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warnermedias-project-popcorn-box-office-hbo-max-experiment-gets-mixed-results-1235037096/|access-date=December 22, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326023349/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warnermedias-project-popcorn-box-office-hbo-max-experiment-gets-mixed-results-1235037096/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, after Warner Bros.' initial plan, Nolan met with several rival studios, and announced in September 2021 that his next film, ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'', would be distributed by [[Universal Pictures]] instead of Warner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Christopher Nolan Chooses Universal Pictures For His Film About J. Robert Oppenheimer & The A-Bomb |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/christopher-nolan-universal-pictures-sets-next-film-j-robert-oppenheimer-development-atom-bomb-world-war-two-1234832975/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914210510/https://deadline.com/2021/09/christopher-nolan-universal-pictures-sets-next-film-j-robert-oppenheimer-development-atom-bomb-world-war-two-1234832975/ |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Conditions for making his next film with Universal included: a budget of $100 million, a marketing budget of equal size, creative control, 20% of first-dollar gross, a blackout period whereby the studio would not release another movie three weeks before or after release and, to ensure it would not land on a streaming service immediately, a 100-day theatrical window.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Matt |title=Here's Everything Christopher Nolan Demanded from Universal For His Oppenheimer Movie |date=September 15, 2021 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-universal-demands-oppenheimer |work=IGN |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723165054/https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-universal-demands-oppenheimer |url-status=live }}</ref> The following month, Universal announced the July 21, 2023, release date for ''Oppenheimer''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Cillian Murphy Confirmed to Star As J. Robert Oppenheimer In Christopher Nolan's Next Film At Universal, Film Will Bow in July 2023 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/cillian-murphy-j-robert-oppenheimer-christopher-nolans-universal-film-july-2023-1234852888/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008180121/https://deadline.com/2021/10/cillian-murphy-j-robert-oppenheimer-christopher-nolans-universal-film-july-2023-1234852888/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Gregory |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Christopher Nolan's New Movie ''Oppenheimer'' Sets 2023 Release Date |url=https://collider.com/christopher-nolan-next-movie-oppenheimer-release-date-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008180419/https://collider.com/christopher-nolan-next-movie-oppenheimer-release-date-2023/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Warner Bros. had originally scheduled the [[Looney Tunes]]-related comedy ''[[Coyote vs. Acme]]'' to be released on the same date of July 21,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Warner Bros. to Release 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Prequel and 'The Color Purple' Musical in Theaters in 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mad-max-fury-road-color-purple-1234874609/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224022908/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mad-max-fury-road-color-purple-1234874609/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but in April 2022, the studio announced that the film ''[[Barbie (film)|Barbie]]'' would be released on that date instead,<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=''Barbie'' Heads To Summer 2023 – CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/barbie-coyote-vs-acme-release-date-1235010330/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 26, 2022 |date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426234202/https://deadline.com/2022/04/barbie-coyote-vs-acme-release-date-1235010330/ |url-status=live }}</ref> having it directly compete against Nolan's film.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/margot-robbie-barbie-release-date-1235241864/|title=Margot Robbie's ''Barbie'' Sets 2023 Release Date, Unveils First-Look Photo|magazine=Variety|first=Matt|last=Donnelly|date=April 26, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426233743/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/margot-robbie-barbie-release-date-1235241864/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nolan's disagreement with Warner was cited as the principal cause of this decision,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Belloni |first=Matthew |date=June 1, 2023 |title=The Tom Cruise vs 'Oppenheimer' Movie Theater Smackdown |url=https://puck.news/the-tom-cruise-vs-oppenheimer-movie-theater-smackdown/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602030416/https://puck.news/the-tom-cruise-vs-oppenheimer-movie-theater-smackdown/ |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=[[Puck (media company)|Puck]]}}</ref> with ''[[Business Insider|Insider]]'' speculating that the decision to release the long-in-development ''Barbie'' directly opposite ''Oppenheimer'' may have been revenge against Nolan for ending his collaboration with the company. The mid-July date was relevant, beginning with ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' and with the exception of ''[[Interstellar (film)|Interstellar]]'' (which was released in early November 2014, as distributed by [[Paramount Pictures]] in the United States and Canada, and by Warner Bros. internationally) and ''[[Tenet (film)|Tenet]]'' (which was delayed from the original release date of July 17, 2020, following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]), Nolan's films have been released in mid-July.<ref name="Insider-23JUL13-NolanWarner" /> Newly appointed Warner Bros. heads [[Michael De Luca]] and [[Pamela Abdy]] later stated that they wished to reconcile with Nolan;<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Can Warner Bros. Restore Its Movie Glory? Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy Want Christopher Nolan Back, Will Prioritize Theatrical and Take More Big Swings |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/features/warner-bros-christopher-nolan-film-execs-new-strategy-interview-1235642666/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614140258/https://variety.com/2023/film/features/warner-bros-christopher-nolan-film-execs-new-strategy-interview-1235642666/ |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> box office experts questioned why Warner refused to move ''Barbie''{{'s}} release date if they wished to restore relations with Nolan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Box Office Showdown: 'Barbie' Looks to Open Ahead of 'Oppenheimer' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-barbie-looks-to-open-oppenheimer-1235516019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615232651/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-barbie-looks-to-open-oppenheimer-1235516019/ |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> According to [[Margot Robbie]], ''Oppenheimer'' producer [[Charles Roven]] called her and suggested they move the release date for ''Barbie'', but she declined.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cillian Murphy & Margot Robbie {{!}} Actors on Actors |url=https://youtube.com/MecVr3Bz4o0?si=NIQDe3lbS2pT4xkM&t=411 |publisher=Variety |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Nolan was reportedly annoyed by Warner Bros.' decision to schedule ''Barbie'' on the same date as ''Oppenheimer''.<ref name="Insider-23JUL13-NolanWarner" /><ref name="ScreenRant-23JUL12-NolanWarner" /> Despite this<!-- and as the double feature viewing phenomenon has emerged ahead of both film's release date -->, when asked by an ''Insider'' reporter whether his split with Warner was indeed the cause of ''Barbie''{{'s}} release date, Nolan laughed and said he was "not going to answer that question", adding that theaters now have "a crowded marketplace with a lot of different movies&nbsp;..., and those of us who care about movies are thrilled about that".<ref name="Insider-23JUL13-NolanWarner">{{cite web |last1=Guerrasio |first1=Jason |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Christopher Nolan's complicated history with Warner Bros. may have gifted us 'Barbenheimer' |url=https://www.insider.com/christopher-nolan-warner-bros-feud-oppenheimer-barbie-2023-7 |work=Insider |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20230712121633/https://www.insider.com/christopher-nolan-warner-bros-feud-oppenheimer-barbie-2023-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ScreenRant-23JUL12-NolanWarner">{{Cite web |last=Lamadrid |first=Amanda |date=July 12, 2023 |title=Christopher Nolan & Warner Bros Feud: Director Upset Over Barbie vs. Oppenheimer Release |url=https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-movie-christopher-nolan-barbie-release-response/ |access-date=July 16, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155753/https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-movie-christopher-nolan-barbie-release-response/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked about the films sharing the same release date, Nolan told an ''[[IGN]]'' reporter that a "crowded marketplace" is "here and that's terrific".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Briscuso |first=Lex |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy are Embracing Barbenheimer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-embraces-barbenheimer |access-date=July 16, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155721/https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-embraces-barbenheimer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christopher-nolan-barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-terrific-1235668082/ |title=Christopher Nolan Says 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie' Opening Together Is 'Terrific' Because a 'Crowded' Marketplace Is a 'Healthy' One: 'We've Been Waiting' For This |date=July 12, 2023 |last=Sharf |first=Zach |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717155728/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christopher-nolan-barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-terrific-1235668082/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== Public reaction ==== [[File:Barbenheimer Halloween Costume.jpg|thumb|A man in a [[Halloween]] costume as the Barbenheimer phenomenon]] The first known use of the term "Barbenheimer" was in a post on [[Twitter]] dated April 15, 2022, by Matt Neglia, [[editor-in-chief]] of the entertainment awards website ''Next Best Picture''. The post made fun of the fact that both films seemed to be constantly announcing new cast members. Neglia later said he did not remember writing the post.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Angela |last2=Hamedy |first2=Saba |date=July 24, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' weekend energizes the box office, brings moviegoers back to theaters |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna95402 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723172538/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna95402 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[NBC News]] |publisher=[[NBC]]}}</ref> Use of the term gained pace in 2023, as Internet users noted the juxtaposition of the films and posted memes on Twitter. Fan-made posters for Barbenheimer circulated online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Mayukh |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Barbenheimer and the art of counterprogramming |url=https://www.lifestyleasia.com/ind/entertainment/barbenheimer-and-the-art-of-counterprogramming/ |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=[[Lifestyle Asia|Lifestyle Asia India]] |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715220423/https://www.lifestyleasia.com/ind/entertainment/barbenheimer-and-the-art-of-counterprogramming/ |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Meg |title=Barbenheimer and the meme-ification of movie marketing |url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/film/barbenheimer-and-the-meme-ification-of-movie-marketing/802415 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717160239/https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/film/barbenheimer-and-the-meme-ification-of-movie-marketing/802415 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=[[Stylist (magazine)|Stylist]]}}</ref> Shirt designers on [[Etsy]] began creating merchandise based on the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Early versions of these shirts directly used the wordmarks of the films and placed them side-by-side, while later versions used a ''Barbie''-inspired "Barbenheimer" wordmark.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Moses |first=Claire |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Mark Your Calendars: 'Barbenheimer' Is Coming |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-release-day.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630024535/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-release-day.html |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Several tweets referenced the Sherbet Homes in [[Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles]], side-by-side homes noted for one's black demeanor and the other's pink appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Jason |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Barbenheimer Memes Are Blowing Up |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/barbenheimer-memes.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703204421/https://www.vulture.com/article/barbenheimer-memes.html |archive-date=July 3, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> Two [[Dallas]] video editors made {{USD|14400}} selling Barbenheimer shirts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-premiere-e8007fe3 |title=World's Strangest Double Feature: 'Barbie', Then 'Oppenheimer' |date=July 13, 2023 |last=Ampil |first=Izzy |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/1bKZJ |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Businesses have also posted about the phenomenon; a [[Barnes & Noble]] store in [[Olympia, Washington]], presented a "Barbeinheimer{{sic}} [[Starter pack (meme)|Starter Pack]]" on [[TikTok]], accruing 30,000 likes.<ref name="unstoppable">{{Cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6293844/barbie-oppenheimer-internet-phenomenon/ |title=Why 'Barbenheimer' Mania Is Unstoppable |date=July 12, 2023 |last=Espada |first=Mariah |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713133359/https://time.com/6293844/barbie-oppenheimer-internet-phenomenon/ |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> A retired Boston University professor named Barbara Oppenheimer, a third cousin through her husband to [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]], praised both films.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kois |first1=Dan |title=An Interview With Barbara Oppenheimer About How Her Summer Is Going |url=https://slate.com/culture/2023/08/barbie-oppenheimer-movie-2023-barbara-interview.html |journal=Slate |date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014084414/https://slate.com/culture/2023/08/barbie-oppenheimer-movie-2023-barbara-interview.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Marketing === The films' marketing differed greatly. ''Barbie''{{'s}} marketing, estimated to cost $150 million to ''Oppenheimer''{{'s}} $100 million, used a wide range of immersive partnerships and tie-in products. ''Oppenheimer'' took a more low-key approach, aiming to cultivate intrigue with [[Trailer (promotion)|trailers]] and an online countdown to the 78th anniversary of the [[Trinity (nuclear test)|first nuclear explosion]].<ref name="Variety-23JUL23-BarbieMarketingBudget">{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Inside 'Barbie's' Pink Publicity Machine: How Warner Bros. Pulled Off the Marketing Campaign of the Year |date=July 23, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-marketing-campaign-explained-warner-bros-1235677922/#! |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724154751/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-marketing-campaign-explained-warner-bros-1235677922/#! |url-status=live }}</ref><!--Do not cite individual blogs. They are not [[WP:RS|reliable sources]].--> ''Barbie'' held a premiere on July 12, 2023, in [[London]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Georgia |title=Barbie: Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling lead cast on the pink carpet at London premiere |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2023-07-12/barbie-movie-margot-robbie-and-cast-on-pink-carpet-at-london-premiere |work=[[ITV News]] |date=July 12, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716161654/https://www.itv.com/news/2023-07-12/barbie-movie-margot-robbie-and-cast-on-pink-carpet-at-london-premiere |url-status=live }}</ref> where ''Oppenheimer'' held another the next day;<ref name="BBC-23JUL13-LondonPrem">{{Cite news |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Oppenheimer: Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt at London movie premiere |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66196311 |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720063953/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66196311 |archive-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> on July 14, [[SAG-AFTRA]], an American [[Trade union|labor union]] of film, television, and voice actors, [[2023 SAG-AFTRA strike|declared a strike action]], effectively halting any promotional event that involved any member in the guild.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sperling |first=Nicole |title=Strike Prevents Actors From Promoting Films at Premieres or Festivals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/business/media/actors-strike-movie-promotion.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718150225/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/business/media/actors-strike-movie-promotion.html |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Barbie'' star [[Margot Robbie]] showed her support in the action when questioned by a [[Sky News]] reporter at the film's London event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Margot Robbie says she is 'absolutely' prepared to join actors' strike |url=https://news.sky.com/video/margot-robbie-says-she-is-absolutely-prepared-to-join-actors-strike-12920309 |work=[[Sky News]] |date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720064247/https://news.sky.com/video/margot-robbie-says-she-is-absolutely-prepared-to-join-actors-strike-12920309 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite ''Oppenheimer''{{'s}} London premiere being moved up an hour early, the cast of the film left during the screening in support of the strike.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kubota |first1=Samantha |title='Oppenheimer' cast walks out of UK premiere after SAG-AFTRA goes on strike |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/oppenheimer-cast-leaves-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-rcna94185 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=July 13, 2023 |publisher=[[NBC]] |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717124516/https://www.today.com/popculture/oppenheimer-cast-leaves-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-rcna94185 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Malkin |first1=Marc |title='Oppenheimer' London Premiere to Start an Hour Earlier So Cast Can Attend Before Possible SAG-AFTRA Strike Begins |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oppenheimer-london-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-1235668910/#! |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716122316/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oppenheimer-london-premiere-sag-aftra-strike-1235668910/#! |url-status=live }}</ref> SAG-AFTRA President [[Fran Drescher]] later claimed the studios "duped" the guild into accepting a 12-day-extension for negotiations to continue promoting summer films such as ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Fran Drescher Mobbed On SAG-AFTRA Picket Lines, Says Studios Are 'Doing Bad Things To Good People' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/fran-drescher-picket-line-actors-strike-interview-1235438324/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715204659/https://deadline.com/2023/07/fran-drescher-picket-line-actors-strike-interview-1235438324/ |url-status=live }}</ref> === Double feature viewing === Many Hollywood personalities and Internet users have viewed the films as a [[double feature]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Molly |date=June 30, 2023 |title=The internet is exploding with Barbenheimer memes |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/barbie-oppenheimer-memes/ |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701022443/https://www.gamesradar.com/barbie-oppenheimer-memes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189062921/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-movie-double-feature |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[NPR]] |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722132125/https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189062921/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-movie-double-feature |url-status=live }}</ref> with a debate on viewing order being part of the meme.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Andrew |first=Scottie |date=July 21, 2023 |title=How to do 'Barbenheimer' right |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/19/entertainment/oppenheimer-barbie-double-feature-barbenheimer-cec/index.html |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723002654/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/19/entertainment/oppenheimer-barbie-double-feature-barbenheimer-cec/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Bahr |first=Lindsey |date=July 14, 2023 |title=The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer's most online movie showdown |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/14/barbenheimer-barbie-vs-oppenheimer/4ffebcf6-2269-11ee-8994-4b2d0b694a34_story.html |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/uh8eE |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Margot Robbie, who portrays the titular character in ''Barbie'', suggested watching ''Barbie'', then ''Oppenheimer'', and then ''Barbie'' again.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> President Barbie's actor in ''Barbie'', [[Issa Rae]], said that "If you see ''Oppenheimer'' last then you might be a bit of a psychopath."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> [[CNN]] Entertainment writer Scottie Andrew recommended watching ''Oppenheimer'' first and ''Barbie'' second, comparing it to "saving dessert for ''after'' dinner".<ref name=":3" /> === Counterprogramming === [[File:Barbenheimer at Crouch End Picturehouse, 165 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, July 2023.jpg|thumb|right|Sold out screenings of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' at the Crouch End Picturehouse in North London on July 22]] <!-- ENSURE PARAGRAPHS ARE FAIRLY EXPANDED AND REFERENCES ARE MADE TO RELIABLE SOURCES --> The Barbenheimer phenomenon is an instance of [[Counterprogramming (film distribution)|counterprogramming]], a marketing strategy in which a tonally different film is released on the same day as a major film to appeal to an underrepresented group.<ref name="GQ" /> Universal successfully deployed counterprogramming as early as 2002, when it opened the [[Comedy drama|dramedy]] ''[[About a Boy (film)|About a Boy]]'' opposite the [[Science fiction|science-fiction]] [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fonseca |first1=Nicholas |title=Duel Action: 'Attack of the Clones' vs. 'About A Boy' and other box-office match ups... |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602080418/https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The former enjoyed the strongest opening for a British film that year, finishing with over $130&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=About a Boy storms to top |date=April 30, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219024819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> BBC News observed the phenomenon occur during October 2013 when two very different Scotland set films, black crime comedy ''[[Filth (film)|Filth]]'', and romantic musical ''[[Sunshine on Leith (film)|Sunshine on Leith]]'' open the same week in the UK. Men's magazine ''[[GQ]]'' observed the phenomenon occurring in the [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]], such as ''[[Avatar: The Way of Water]]'' and ''[[Puss in Boots: The Last Wish]]'' in 2022, and compared summer to an "all-or-nothing bloodsport". In 2022, counterprogramming occurred with the summer films ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'' and ''[[The Bob's Burgers Movie]]'', in which the latter is a smaller film than the former, allowing for such a dynamic.<ref name="GQ">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |title=When Summer Blockbusters Collide: A Short History |date=June 5, 2023 |last=Phipps |first=Keith |work=[[GQ]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702213013/https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |url-status=live}}</ref> The release date of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' drew parallels to the same U.S. release date of Nolan's [[superhero film]] ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (distributed by Warner Bros.) and the [[jukebox musical]] ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' (distributed by Universal) on July 18, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are opening on the same date. Why that's not a bad thing |date=April 13, 2023 |last=Nguyen |first=Janet |work=[[Marketplace (radio program)|Marketplace]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702202837/https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor [[Tom Cruise]], producer and lead actor of ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'' which opened the week before the two films, fervently promoted his film over ''Oppenheimer'' and ''Barbie'' to erode ''Oppenheimer''<nowiki/>'s three-week [[IMAX]] exclusivity window.<ref name=":2" /> Barbenheimer has seen comparisons to the simultaneous release of the video game titles ''[[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]'' and ''[[Doom Eternal]]'' on March 20, 2020, which prompted a similar online crossover phenomenon at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colbert |first=Isaiah |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Before Barbenheimer, There Was Doom Eternal And Animal Crossing |url=https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728072737/https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jade |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons And Doom Eternal Are The Original Barbenheimer |url=https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731144537/https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The trend also appeared with the [[series finale]]s of the television series ''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]'' and ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'', both of which aired on August 23, 2023, on [[The CW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|title='Riverdale,' 'Nancy Drew' Series Finales Among The CW Summer Slate|work=[[The Wrap]]|last=Seitz|first=Loree|date=May 10, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518082942/https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|archive-date=May 18, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|title='Nancy Drew' and 'Riverdale' Back-to-Back Finales Could Be Described as Barbenheimer for CW Fans|work=[[Us Weekly]]|author=Yana Grebenyuk|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826101842/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|archive-date=August 26, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In light of Barbenheimer, other studios concocted similar events to their upcoming releases. This includes "Saw Patrol", named after ''[[Saw X]]'' and ''[[PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie]]'' released September 29, 2023, though this received a more mixed response.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |title=Forget Barbenheimer, there's a new same-day cinema clash: Saw Patrol |date=July 21, 2023 |last=Russell |first=Bradley |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721123828/https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Reports from third-party outlets to support this sentence, please: This was acknowledged by both studios behind those movies, [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Lionsgate]] through their Twitter posts. --> In an opposite of this move however, Universal moved ''[[The Exorcist: Believer]]'' up from its intended October 13, 2023, date to October 6 to avoid competing with ''[[Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour]]'' that was releasing the same day, thus preventing an "Exorswift" release schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Even Demons Fear Taylor Swift |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902220114/https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Lillian |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Forget Exorswift: Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film gets release date to itself as 'Exorcist' moves |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902061225/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> == Reception == === Box office === ==== Projections ==== Going into their opening weekends, ''Barbie'' was projected to gross $90–120&nbsp;million in its opening weekend, and ''Oppenheimer'' was projected to gross $45–50&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 18, 2023 |title='Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer' To Rattle The Globe With Combined $260M+ Opening – Box Office Preview |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-opening-1235440879/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718205001/https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-opening-1235440879/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Chris |date=July 1, 2023 |title='Barbie' is set to win the 'Barbenheimer' box office battle with 'Oppenheimer' on their opening weekend |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/barbie-movie-set-win-barbenheimer-box-office-battle-with-oppenheimer-2023-7 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702101219/https://www.businessinsider.com/barbie-movie-set-win-barbenheimer-box-office-battle-with-oppenheimer-2023-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 23, 2023 |title='Barbie' Still Gorgeous With Best YTD $150M Opening; 'Oppenheimer' Ticking To $80M In Incredible $300M+ U.S. Box Office Weekend – Saturday PM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721142533/https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks before their release, [[AMC Theatres]] announced that more than 20,000 AMC Stubs members had pre-booked tickets to both films on the same day, resulting in a 33% increase in double-feature tickets from July 7 to 10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=July 10, 2023 |title=AMC Theatres Says More Than 20,000 Moviegoers Have Already Booked 'Barbie'–'Oppenheimer' Double Features |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/barbie-oppenhemier-double-features-amc-theaters-1235665632/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710201324/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/barbie-oppenhemier-double-features-amc-theaters-1235665632/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kuo |first=Christopher |date=July 12, 2023 |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Fans Are Ready for Their Double Feature |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature.html |access-date=July 12, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716012615/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/12/movies/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 17, AMC announced 40,000 members had pre-ordered tickets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |date=July 17, 2023 |title=AMC Says 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Double-Feature Ticket Sales Have Doubled in Past Week |url=https://www.thewrap.com/amc-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-ticket-sales/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720063954/https://www.thewrap.com/amc-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-ticket-sales/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to cinema chain [[Vue International]], nearly one-fifth of people who bought a ticket for ''Oppenheimer'' also bought a ticket for ''Barbie''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-11/tickets-to-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-selling-fast-at-theaters-data-show |title=The Barbie-Oppenheimer Double Feature Is Really Happening, Data Shows |date=July 11, 2023 |last=Rappaport |first=Sarah |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717160239/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-11/tickets-to-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-selling-fast-at-theaters-data-show |url-status=live }}</ref> The Barbenheimer phenomenon helped boost box-office revenue, which was still recovering from the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema|effects of the COVID-19 pandemic]] and a slow [[Counterprogramming (film distribution)|seasonal film season]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haasch |first=Palmer |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Movie theaters are getting a boost from memes like 'Barbenheimer' while recovering from the pandemic |url=https://www.insider.com/barbenheimer-double-feature-movie-theater-memes-2023-7 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727082423/https://www.insider.com/barbenheimer-double-feature-movie-theater-memes-2023-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Skowlund |first1=Natalie |last2=Hager |first2=Alex |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Local theaters anticipate post-COVID salvation with 'Barbenheimer' dual release |url=https://www.kunc.org/arts-life/2023-07-19/local-theaters-anticipate-post-covid-salvation-with-barbenheimer-dual-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721140538/https://www.kunc.org/arts-life/2023-07-19/local-theaters-anticipate-post-covid-salvation-with-barbenheimer-dual-release |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=KUNC}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the films' dual opening weekend "the last happy weekend for many months", as the [[2023 Hollywood labor disputes]] would likely delay the release of films expected to be award-season contenders.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Kyle |title='Barbenheimer' Is a Huge Hollywood Moment and Maybe the Last for a While |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/movies/barbenheimer-strike.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 22, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722010125/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/movies/barbenheimer-strike.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Box Office Fusion: 'Barbie' Heads for Staggering $155M-Plus Opening, 'Oppenheimer' Eyes $77M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-opening-1235541719/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723014204/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-opening-1235541719/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== Gross ==== Both films exceeded box-office expectations.<ref name=RB1>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-weekend-shatter-records-1235677601/|title=Box Office: 'Barbie' Opens to Record-Setting $155 Million, 'Oppenheimer' Shatters Expectations With $80 Million Debut|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|date=July 23, 2023|access-date=July 23, 2023|archive-date=July 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723204155/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-opening-weekend-shatter-records-1235677601/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=RB2>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/barbie-2-cast-story-details-updates/|title=Barbie 2: Sequel Set-Up, If It's Greenlit & Everything We Know|date=June 19, 2023|website=ScreenRant|access-date=July 23, 2023|archive-date=July 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721205124/https://screenrant.com/barbie-2-cast-story-details-updates/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RB3">{{Cite web |last=Malhotra |first=Rahul |date=July 22, 2023 |title='Barbie' Eyes Record-Breaking Debut at Global Box Office |url=https://collider.com/barbie-global-box-office-280-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723195346/https://collider.com/barbie-global-box-office-280-million/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Collider}}</ref> ''Barbie'' became the highest-grossing domestic release in [[Warner Bros]] history, surpassing Nolan's ''The Dark Knight''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title='Barbie' Surpasses 'The Dark Knight' as Warner Bros.' Highest-Grossing Domestic Release in History |date=August 16, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-warner-bros-biggest-movie-us-beats-dark-knight-1235697702/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816155950/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-warner-bros-biggest-movie-us-beats-dark-knight-1235697702/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United States and Canada, ''Barbie'' grossed $22.3&nbsp;million in Thursday night previews, while ''Oppenheimer'' grossed $10.5&nbsp;million. This was the first time two movies released in the same weekend have grossed more than $10&nbsp;million each in their previews. Including previews, the films made $70.5&nbsp;million and $33&nbsp;million on their first days, respectively, which led to weekend projections being increased to $160&nbsp;million and $77&nbsp;million. The films went on to debut to $162&nbsp;million and $82.4&nbsp;million, respectively. The Barbenheimer phenomenon was credited with boosting interest in the films, with a total of 79% of tickets sold over the weekend (52% for ''Barbie'' and 27% for ''Oppenheimer'') being for the two films, a total of 18.5&nbsp;million people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 22, 2023 |title='Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer' Fueling Mindblowing $300M+ Box Office Weekend – Saturday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721142533/https://deadline.com/2023/07/box-office-barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-1235443828/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Barbie' Blasts Off With $22.3M in Previews, 'Oppenheimer' Rakes in $10.5M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-1235540773/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723103112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbie-box-office-oppenheimer-1235540773/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, ''Oppenheimer'' made $4.98 million from audience members who saw the film because their desired ''Barbie'' showtime was sold out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=July 24, 2023 |title='Oppenheimer' Sold $5 Million in Tickets This Weekend Because 'Barbie' Was Sold Out |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/oppenheimer-5-million-tickets-barbie-sold-out-barbenheimer-1234887457/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192601/https://www.indiewire.com/news/business/oppenheimer-5-million-tickets-barbie-sold-out-barbenheimer-1234887457/ |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |website=IndieWire}}</ref> [[IMAX]] CEO [[Richard Gelfond]] described the weekend as a paradigm shift, referring to ''Oppenheimer'' bringing in $35 million from 740 IMAX screens.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gunnion |first1=Stephen |title=IMAX sees 'paradigm shift' in moviegoing as it reports 2Q earnings beat |date=July 27, 2023 |url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/1021961/imax-sees-paradigm-shift-in-moviegoing-as-it-reports-2q-earnings-beat-1021961.html |publisher=Proactive Investors |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727214457/https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/1021961/imax-sees-paradigm-shift-in-moviegoing-as-it-reports-2q-earnings-beat-1021961.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' saw the second-largest opening not to top the domestic box office, falling short of [[Inside Out (2015 film)|''Inside Out'']]{{'s}} $90.4 million opening by a small margin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |date=June 21, 2015 |title=Box Office: Disney's 'Inside Out' Nabs Record-Breaking #2 Weekend With $91M Debut |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/06/21/box-office-disneys-inside-out-nabs-top-2-weekend-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203131757/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/06/21/box-office-disneys-inside-out-nabs-top-2-weekend-ever/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' led the July 21–23 weekend to a total revenue of $310.8 million, making it the fourth-largest aggregate domestic weekend ever, behind the weekends led by the openings of ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' (April 26–28, 2019, $402 million), ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'' (April 27–29, 2018, $314 million), and ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' (December 18–20, 2015, $313 million).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers – Weekend Box Office Chart for July 21, 2023 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/2023/07/21 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |website=The Numbers |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724220309/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/2023/07/21 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Karaian |first1=Jason |last2=Russell |first2=Karl |date=July 24, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' Weekend Was a Real Team Effort |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/24/business/barbie-oppenheimer-weekend-box-office.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724205155/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/24/business/barbie-oppenheimer-weekend-box-office.html |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Barbenheimer boosted box office values to their highest point since 2019 as part of a series of "unusual blockbusters". Summer 2023 film releases featured underperformances from franchise films, bucking a 10-year run of the highest-grossing summer movies being sequels. The Barbenheimer "jolt" arrived while the 2023 summer box office was 7 percent behind the 2022 season; by [[Labor Day]], the U.S summer box office had reached $4.1 billion, 19 percent ahead of the 2022 box office by the same date.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Robbie|last=Whelan|title='Barbenheimer' Gives Box Office A Needed Jolt|date=September 5, 2023|volume=CCLXXXII|number=55|page=B1}}</ref> {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Title ! colspan="3" | Box office gross ! rowspan="2" | Budget ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! U.S. and Canada ! Other territories ! Worldwide |- ! ''Barbie'' | $636,238,421 | $809,400,000 | $1,445,638,421 | $145,000,000 |<ref>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=1517268|title=Barbie (2023) |accessdate=August 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Paskin">{{cite magazine |last=Paskin |first=Willa |title=Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' Dream Job |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/magazine/greta-gerwig-barbie.html |magazine=The New York Times Magazine |accessdate=July 11, 2023 |date=July 11, 2023 |url-access=limited |archivedate=July 11, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711163054/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/magazine/greta-gerwig-barbie.html/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! ''Oppenheimer'' | $329,103,570 | $628,572,000 | $957,675,570 | $100,000,000 |<ref>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=15398776|title=Oppenheimer (2023) |accessdate=August 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=July 14, 2023 |title='This Can't Be Safe. It's Got to Have Bite': Christopher Nolan and Cast Unleash ''Oppenheimer'' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-cast-interview-film-1235535418/ |accessdate=July 15, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720013003/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-cast-interview-film-1235535418/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- ! Total | $965,341,991 | $1,437,972,000 | $2,403,313,991 | $245,000,000 | |} === Film industry reaction=== {{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = Robbie at 2019 Cannes (cropped).jpg | alt1 = | image2 = Cillian Murphy Press Conference The Party Berlinale 2017 02 (cropped).jpg | alt2 = | footer = ''Barbie'' star [[Margot Robbie]] and ''Oppenheimer'' star [[Cillian Murphy]] }} Tom Cruise, whom director [[Steven Spielberg]] proclaimed had "saved Hollywood's ass" with the success of ''Top Gun: Maverick'' the previous year,<ref name=saved>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Savannah |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Tom Cruise Endorses Your Barbie and Oppenheimer Double Feature |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/tom-cruise-endorses-your-barbie-and-oppenheimer-double-feature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628191558/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/tom-cruise-endorses-your-barbie-and-oppenheimer-double-feature |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> referred to ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' as a double feature in a [[Twitter]] post along with photographs of him and ''Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One'' director [[Christopher McQuarrie]] with tickets to the two films.<ref name=":6" />{{efn|Cruise planned to watch ''Oppenheimer'' first.<ref name="unstoppable" />}} Similarly, Gerwig and ''Barbie'' star [[Margot Robbie]] were featured in photographs on the ''Barbie'' Twitter holding up tickets to ''Oppenheimer'', as well as ''Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One''.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Garbutt |first=Emily |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie have accepted Tom Cruise's movie marathon mission |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/greta-gerwig-margot-robbie-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701165458/https://www.gamesradar.com/greta-gerwig-margot-robbie-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Total Film]]}}</ref>{{Efn|Both actor-director pairs also endorsed ''Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny''.<ref name=saved/><ref name=":6"/>}} At the premiere of ''[[Air (2023 film)|Air]]'', actor and ''Oppenheimer'' star [[Matt Damon]] told ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' that audiences are "allowed to go see two movies in a weekend".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chi |first=Paul |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Matt Damon Takes a Stand on Oppenheimer vs. Barbie |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/matt-damon-oppenheimer-barbie |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606095535/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/matt-damon-oppenheimer-barbie |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Director [[Francis Ford Coppola]] called the box office success of both films "a victory for cinema".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scorziello |first=Sophia |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Francis Ford Coppola Salutes 'Barbenheimer' Success: One-Offs Are a 'Victory for Cinema' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/francis-ford-coppola-barbie-oppenheimer-success-1235682948/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729222027/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/francis-ford-coppola-barbie-oppenheimer-success-1235682948/ |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Director [[Martin Scorsese]] called the event a "perfect storm" that offered hope for a "different cinema to emerge."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Devansh |title=Martin Scorsese interview: 'Barbie and Oppenheimer's success offers hope for a different cinema to emerge' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/martin-scorsese-interview-killers-of-the-flower-moon-leonardo-dicaprio-robert-de-niro-apple-tv-101695989444345.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008233442/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/martin-scorsese-interview-killers-of-the-flower-moon-leonardo-dicaprio-robert-de-niro-apple-tv-101695989444345.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the world premiere of ''Barbie'' in [[Los Angeles]], Gerwig and [[Issa Rae]] praised the double feature concept. Rae said, "I love that there's solidarity though where people tried to pit us against one another but now it's turned into like a double-feature situation".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chuba |first1=Kirsten |title=Greta Gerwig on 'Barbie' vs. 'Oppenheimer' Battle and Margot Robbie's Already-Iconic Foot: "I Did Always Think of the Arched Foot as a Bat Signal" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/greta-gerwig-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-margot-robbie-foot-1235531801/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=July 10, 2023 |date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710073351/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/greta-gerwig-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-margot-robbie-foot-1235531801/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with ''[[La Vanguardia]]'', ''Oppenheimer'' star [[Cillian Murphy]] endorsed the phenomenon, saying, "My advice would be for people to go see both, on the same day. If they are good films, then that's cinema's gain."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Fay |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Cillian Murphy gives Barbenheimer double bill his seal of approval |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cillian-murphy-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710102214/https://www.gamesradar.com/cillian-murphy-barbie-oppenheimer-double-bill/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodríguez |first1=Rafael |title=Cillian Murphy, 'Oppenheimer' contra 'Barbie': 'Ni héroes ni villanos; me interesan las sombras' |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/magazine/protagonistas/20230709/9091303/cillian-murphy-actor-irlandes-oppenheimer-peaky-blinders.html |access-date=July 14, 2023 |work=[[La Vanguardia]] |publisher=La Vanguardia Ediciones |date=July 9, 2023 |language=es-ES |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710132911/https://www.lavanguardia.com/magazine/protagonistas/20230709/9091303/cillian-murphy-actor-irlandes-oppenheimer-peaky-blinders.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[London]] premiere for ''Barbie'', Robbie said she wants a Barbenheimer shirt signed by Murphy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2023/07/14/what-is-barbenheimer-film-fans-rejoice-over-bizarre-double-feature-weekend.html |title=What is 'Barbenheimer?' Film fans rejoice over bizarre double-feature weekend |date=July 14, 2023 |last=Jiang |first=Kevin |work=[[Toronto Star]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717161753/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2023/07/14/what-is-barbenheimer-film-fans-rejoice-over-bizarre-double-feature-weekend.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Japanese response === The Barbenheimer phenomenon sparked negative reactions in [[Japan]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carleton |first=Don |date=August 4, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' highlights U.S. ignorance of nuclear reality |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/08/04/japan/barbie-oppenheimer-nuclear-weapons/ |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=The Japan Times |language=en |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806084017/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/08/04/japan/barbie-oppenheimer-nuclear-weapons/ |url-status=live }}</ref> where ''Oppenheimer'' is seen as a controversial film, and has not been screened.<ref>{{Cite news |title=In Japan "Oppenheimer" is causing consternation |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/08/10/in-japan-oppenheimer-is-causing-consternation |access-date=August 14, 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814083924/https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/08/10/in-japan-oppenheimer-is-causing-consternation |url-status=live }}</ref> When the live-action ''Barbie'' film's official Twitter account (@barbiethemovie) reacted favorably to image designs created by fans that incorporated the [[mushroom cloud]] of and fire from an atomic bomb and punning ("It will be a blast"), it was met with anger<ref name=NYT/> and intense disdain within Japan.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2307/31/news104.html |script-title=ja:映画「バービー」公式、海外の"原爆ファンアート"にハートつきで「忘れられない夏になりそう」 日本では批判の声続出 |date=July 31, 2023 |access-date=July 31, 2023|website=itmedia.co.jp|language=ja|archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731130745/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2307/31/news104.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was attributed to Japan's educational emphasis on the destruction caused by nuclear weapons,{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} as the only country to have been [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|attacked by them]]. As a result, mushroom clouds and atomic bombs were considered inappropriate for casual or comedic usage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cain |first=Sian |date=August 1, 2023 |title=#Barbenheimer backlash: Japan rejects co-marketing of Barbie and Oppenheimer as trivialising nuclear war |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/01/not-big-in-japan-country-rejects-co-marketing-of-barbie-and-oppenheimer-as-trivialising-nuclear-war |access-date=August 1, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801044124/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/01/not-big-in-japan-country-rejects-co-marketing-of-barbie-and-oppenheimer-as-trivialising-nuclear-war |url-status=live }}</ref> The timing of the incidents also coincided with the 78th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.<ref name="reuters 2023-08-03">{{cite news |first=Rocky |last=Swift |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-opening-barbie-marred-by-controversy-ahead-nuclear-memorials-2023-08-03/ |title=Japan opening of 'Barbie' marred by controversy ahead of nuclear memorials |work=[[Reuters]] |date=August 3, 2023 |accessdate=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803133850/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-opening-barbie-marred-by-controversy-ahead-nuclear-memorials-2023-08-03/ |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Barbie'' was also released in Japan on August 11, 2023, just two days after the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nishiyama |first1=Mamoru |title=炎上｢バービー｣日本人も見る価値アリと言える訳 |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/694448 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |work=東洋経済オンライン |date=August 14, 2023 |language=ja |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821102842/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/694448 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Change.org]] petition demanding an apology from the official ''Barbie'' Twitter account was launched, acquiring over 22,600 signatures.<ref>{{cite news | first1=Kantaro |last1=Komiya | first2=Akiko |last2=Okamoto |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hollywood-blockbuster-barbie-opens-japan-after-atomic-bomb-controversy-2023-08-11/ |title='Barbie' movie opens in Japan after atomic bomb controversy |work=[[Reuters]] | date=August 3, 2023 |accessdate=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813013553/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hollywood-blockbuster-barbie-opens-japan-after-atomic-bomb-controversy-2023-08-11/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The hashtag #NoBarbenheimer trended on Twitter, with over 100,000 retweets.<ref name="reuters 2023-08-03"/> Some Japanese users also made memes showing the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|Twin Towers]] [[September 11 attacks|with pink smoke]] or Barbie hanging out with [[Osama bin Laden]] to show Americans their perspective on the bombing of Japan during World War II, though this is widely viewed as having backfired due to many Americans' taste for [[Humor based on the September 11 attacks|9/11 humor]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Edwards |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/social-media-users-in-japan-share-9-11-memes-in-response-barbenheimer-promotion-3477657 |title=Social media users in Japan share 9/11 memes in response to Barbenheimer promotion |work=[[NME]] |date=August 3, 2023 |accessdate=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803162149/https://www.nme.com/news/film/social-media-users-in-japan-share-9-11-memes-in-response-barbenheimer-promotion-3477657 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Japanese branch of Warner Bros. issued a statement of regret on July 31, 2023 ([[Japan Standard Time|JST]]) through its own Twitter account for the ''Barbie'' film (@BarbieMovie_jp), condemning the actions of the U.S. headquarters and urging them to "take appropriate action." On the night of July 31, 2023 ([[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]), Warner's headquarters issued a statement to news outlets, writing that it regrets "its recent insensitive social media engagement" and that it "offers a sincere apology ", and the ''Barbie'' film's American Twitter account reportedly began to delete the replies in question.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |last2=Ntim |first2=Zac |title=Warner Bros. U.S. Responds To Barbenheimer Criticism Out Of Japan |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-warner-bros-japan-social-media-posts-1235451347/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=July 31, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801140650/https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-warner-bros-japan-social-media-posts-1235451347/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |last2=Frater |first2=Patrick |title=Warner Bros. Apologizes After 'Barbenheimer' Posts Spark Criticism From Studio's Japan Unit |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/warner-bros-japan-criticizes-barbie-twitter-barbenheimer-posts-1235683885/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 1, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801154243/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/warner-bros-japan-criticizes-barbie-twitter-barbenheimer-posts-1235683885/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last1=Dooley |first1=Ben |last2=Ueno |first2=Hisako |title=Anger Over 'Barbenheimer' in Nuclear-Scarred Japan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/world/asia/japan-barbenheimer.html |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 1, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801154241/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/world/asia/japan-barbenheimer.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mitsuki Takahata]], who provides the voice of Barbie in the Japanese dub of the film, voiced her disappointment on her [[Instagram]] account and stated that she had considered dropping out of a promotional event planned to take place on August 11, 2023.<ref name="reuters 2023-08-03"/> === Analysis === ''[[The Economist]]'' observed that the "two films encapsulate some of the caprices of the modern movie industry", with ''Barbie'' being an [[Intellectual property|IP]]-driven film projected to gross twice as much (in its opening weekend) as ''Oppenheimer'', a [[Standalone film|standalone]] film. The paper also concluded that, in the advent of the increased [[nuclear anxiety]] following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] and developments around the nuclear arsenals of [[China and weapons of mass destruction|China]] and [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korea]], audiences are less willing to see a [[Realism (arts)|realist]] drama film such as ''Oppenheimer'' than they are eager to see an [[Escapist fiction|escapist]] comedy film such as ''Barbie'', recalling similar instances of the dynamic in American film history.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Realism with 'Oppenheimer', or escapism with 'Barbie'? |magazine=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/07/14/realism-with-oppenheimer-or-escapism-with-barbie |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 18, 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720064518/https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/07/14/realism-with-oppenheimer-or-escapism-with-barbie |url-status=live }}</ref> Senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian of [[Comscore]] opined that the Barbenheimer phenomenon was unprecedented, feeling that ordinarily, the simultaneous release of two significant films would have "cannibalized" each other, but in the case of Barbenheimer, would be "additive and complementary". He believes that the phenomenon would attract a wide demographic, with older audiences hearing about ''Oppenheimer'' through review pieces and listening to the radio, while ''Barbie'' would draw a big audience on its opening weekend because its '[[fear of missing out]]' factor "is going to be off the charts".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Carson |date=July 18, 2023 |title='I've Never Seen Anything Like This': Why Barbenheimer Has Box Office Analysts Reeling |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-why-barbenheimer-has-box-office-analysts-reeling |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722131321/https://www.ign.com/articles/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-why-barbenheimer-has-box-office-analysts-reeling }}</ref> Writing for ''FirstShowing'', Alex Billington compared how philosophical both films were, citing concepts present in each such as [[existentialism]], [[Marcel Proust]], and how both protagonists discover truth similar to [[Plato's Cave]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Billington |first1=Alex |title=Making Sense of Life - On the Philosophy of 'Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer' |date=July 24, 2023 |url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/making-sense-of-life-on-the-philosophy-of-barbie-oppenheimer/ |work=FirstShowing |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192505/https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/making-sense-of-life-on-the-philosophy-of-barbie-oppenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Slavoj Žižek]], in ''[[The New Statesman]]'', argues that both films feature main characters that attempt to escape fantasy and uncover a deeper reality, only to discover that their reality itself is constituted in relation to fantasy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Žižek |first=Slavoj |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Barbie can't handle the truth |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-essay/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-fantasy-reality-truth-films |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=The New Statesman |language=en-US |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230722091744/https://www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-essay/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-fantasy-reality-truth-films |url-status=live |url-access=registration }}</ref> Though the Internet joke began as a reference to the two films' seeming differences, some writers have pointed out similarities between them, including that "Nolan and Gerwig are both [Oscar-nominated] directors,{{efn|name=OscarNoms}} both have huge ensemble casts of stars, and they are both produced by husband and wife production companies".{{efn|name=Husband-and-wife}}<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Logan |date=July 21, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer': Which movie will you choose? |url=https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/07/barbenheimer-which-movie-will-you-choose/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723004801/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/07/barbenheimer-which-movie-will-you-choose/#selection-973.0-973.255 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=East Idaho News}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'', critic Darren Mooney also found similarities between the two films, noting that both "are about the relationship that exists between imagination and reality, as well as about what happens when ideas begin to manifest themselves in the corporeal world. In both cases, the results are fundamentally terrifying, although the movies reach decidedly different conclusions."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mooney |first1=Darren |title=Barbie and Oppenheimer are about ideas made real |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-about-ideas-made-real-barbenheimer |date=July 24, 2023 |website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |accessdate=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724155444/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-about-ideas-made-real-barbenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sonia Rao of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' notes that the two films share a common notion: "The corruptibility of men".<ref name="WP-20230726">{{cite news |last=Rao |first=Sonia |title=Why 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are the perfect double feature – You thought 'Barbenheimer' was a joke? The summer movies actually have a common theme: The corruptibility of men |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/07/26/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-patriarchy/ |date=July 26, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230726125436/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/07/26/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-patriarchy/ |archivedate=July 26, 2023 |accessdate=July 27, 2023 }}</ref> Also in the ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Tyler Austin Harper wrote that both films explore the theoretical notion of the [[Anthropocene]], the geological epoch defined by humanity's impact: "Despite their apparent differences, both ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' tell the story of core ideas of the 20th century: accelerating militarism and unbounded consumption, ideas which might well outlive our species in the form of plastic and plutonium's lingering traces across our fragile planet."<ref name="WP-20230719">{{cite news |last1=Harper |first1=Tyler Austin |last2=Shendruk |first2=Amanda |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' tell the same terrifying story |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/19/barbie-oppenheimer-movies-anthropocene/ |date=July 19, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230719171231/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/19/barbie-oppenheimer-movies-anthropocene/ |archivedate=July 19, 2023 |accessdate=July 22, 2023 }}</ref> Jake Coyle of the [[Associated Press]] analyzed the box office gross of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' and noted that their success may point to audiences wanting more originality in films, following "flopbusters" like ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny]]'', both of which became [[box-office bomb]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Coyle |first=Jake |title=In 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' smash success, audiences send message to Hollywood: Give us something new |url=https://apnews.com/article/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-box-office-d07dce60b4726b2c168c228e1a405c70 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |work=[[AP News]] |date=July 24, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724211709/https://apnews.com/article/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-box-office-d07dce60b4726b2c168c228e1a405c70 |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for IndieWire, Eric Kohn repeated the sentiment, "audiences want originality and invention, not endless sequels", suggesting studios would benefit from cultivating young, visionary directors at [[film festivals]]. Kohn also cautioned that rather than attempting to replicate Barbenheimer's success, studios would benefit more by considering why it can’t be replicated.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohn |first1=Eric |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-lessons-for-hollywood-1234889494/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Are Hits: 5 Lessons Hollywood Should Learn from Them |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810024755/https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-lessons-for-hollywood-1234889494/ |url-status=live |date=July 29, 2023}}</ref> [[File:Oppenheimer & Barbie 20230816 HOF06131 RAW-Export.png|thumb|Cinema showing ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' in [[Hof, Bavaria]]; several German journalists attributed the success of Barbenheimer to astroturfing]] Journalist Larissa Kuhnert from German newspaper ''[[Neues Deutschland]]'' attributed the success of the phenomenon to [[astroturfing]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Larissa Kuhnert |url=https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1175164.barbenheimer-barbie-und-oppenheimer-mit-memes-zum-erfolg.html |title=Barbie und Oppenheimer: Mit Memes zum Erfolg |trans-title=Barbie and Oppenheimer: With memes to success |work=[[Neues Deutschland]] |date=July 31, 2023 |access-date=August 2, 2023|language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802062746/https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1175164.barbenheimer-barbie-und-oppenheimer-mit-memes-zum-erfolg.html |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to journalist Thomas Koch from the German magazine ''[[Wirtschaftswoche]]'', the success of Barbenheimer is said to have been planned by Mattel Marketing.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Thomas Koch |url=https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/werbesprech-was-oppenheimer-und-wir-von-barbie-lernen-koennen/29288146.html |title=Was Oppenheimer und wir von Barbie lernen können |trans-title=What Oppenheimer and we can learn from Barbie |magazine=[[Wirtschaftswoche]] |quotation=„[[Der Freitag]]“ schreibt über #Barbenheimer von einem nicht geplanten Social-Media-Phänomen. Das ist nicht ganz richtig. Das Phänomen war tatsächlich minutiös von den Marketing-Profis bei Mattel geplant. |trans-quote=''[[Der Freitag]]'' writes about #Barbenheimer by an unplanned social media phenomenon. That is not completely right. The phenomenon was actually meticulously planned by the marketing professionals at Mattel. |date=August 1, 2023 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |language=de |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802091402/https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/werbesprech-was-oppenheimer-und-wir-von-barbie-lernen-koennen/29288146.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Reviews === Of critics reviewing the double feature, an ''[[SFGate]]'' reviewer who watched ''Barbie'' first judged it to be the better film and "kinda hope[d]" Gerwig would make a film about Oppenheimer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Drew |last=Magary |author-link=Drew Magary |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/barbie-oppenheimer-review-18254213.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight |title=I saw 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' back to back. One may be its director's worst film |website=SFGate |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723063755/https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/barbie-oppenheimer-review-18254213.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight |url-status=live }}</ref> An ''[[IndieWire]]'' reviewer who watched ''Oppenheimer'' first (with several audience members dressed in pink and one wearing a ''Barbenheimer'' T-shirt) said the films worked "decently" as a double feature.<ref>{{cite web |first=Wilson |last=Chapman |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-reviewed-1234886761/ |title=The Barbenheimer Experience, Reviewed: Do These Movies Actually Work as a Double Feature? |website=IndieWire |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192513/https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/barbenheimer-reviewed-1234886761/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the other hand, a reviewer in ''[[The Guardian]]'' who also watched ''Oppenheimer'' first compared the experience to [[whiplash (medicine)|whiplash]] and to "having your mother's funeral invaded by a flashmob of parking circus clowns".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/22/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature|title=I survived the Barbie–Oppenheimer double-bill and I don't recommend it|first=Stuart|last=Heritage|date=July 22, 2023|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=July 23, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724154754/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/22/barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature|url-status=live}}</ref> In a paired review in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' that criticized both films, [[Anthony Lane]] found similarity in performances that, in his opinion, threaten to overshadow the starring roles: "[J]ust as Downey &#91;[[Robert Downey Jr.]], as [[Lewis Strauss]]&#93; threatens to pull Nolan's film out of orbit, so, in "Barbie," does Gosling &#91;[[Ryan Gosling]], as [[Ken (doll)|Ken]]&#93; attract a dangerous share of the dramatic energy". The review also noted that in both films, characters describe the premise of the film as "impossible".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Anthony |last=Lane |author-link=Anthony Lane |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/oppenheimer-movie-review-barbie |title=How 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie' Bring Monumental Figures to Life |magazine=The New Yorker |orig-date=July 20, 2023 |date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723102346/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/oppenheimer-movie-review-barbie |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> === Accolades === {{Further|List of accolades received by Barbie (film)|List of accolades received by Oppenheimer (film)|label1=List of accolades received by ''Barbie'' (film)|label2=List of accolades received by ''Oppenheimer'' (film)}} ''Variety'' and ''[[IndieWire]]'' projected both films to be [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] contenders, including several categories which could pit both films against each other.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Clayton |title=Oscars Predictions 2024: 'Oppenheimer', 'Barbie' Among Blockbuster Movies Vying for Awards Season Consideration |url=https://variety.com/lists/2024-oscar-predictions/best-picture-4/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719032138/https://variety.com/lists/2024-oscar-predictions/best-picture-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohn |first1=Eric |title='Barbenheimer' Could Last Through Oscar Season |date=July 21, 2023 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/video/barbenheimer-oscar-season-screen-talk-441-1234886752/ |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721205348/https://www.indiewire.com/video/barbenheimer-oscar-season-screen-talk-441-1234886752/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' received the most nominations of any film that year with 13, ahead of ''Barbie'''s eight, overlapping in six categories: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Oscar Nominations: Diversified Voting Throws The Love Around As 'Oppenheimer' Tops With 13, With 'Poor Things', 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' And 'Barbie' Close Behind – Full List |date=January 23, 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |publisher=Deadline |access-date=23 January 2024 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123133912/https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' would go on to win the most Oscars of any film that year, with seven, while the lone win for ''Barbie'' was for Best Song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Brent |title='Oppenheimer' Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director: Full Winners List |date=March 10, 2024 |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/oscar-winners-2024-list-1235932341/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=11 March 2024}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width: 99%;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width: 15%;" | Oscar Categories |- ! scope="col" style="width: 14.2%;" | ''[[Barbie (film)|Barbie]]'' ! scope="col" style="width: 14.2%;" | ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'' |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] |{{nominated| [[David Heyman]], [[Margot Robbie]], [[Tom Ackerley]] and [[Robbie Brenner]]}} | {{won| [[Emma Thomas]], [[Charles Roven]] and [[Christopher Nolan]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|Christopher Nolan}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Cillian Murphy]] <small>as [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] | {{nominated|[[Ryan Gosling]] <small>as [[Ken (doll)|Ken]]</small>}} | {{won|[[Robert Downey Jr.]] <small>as [[Lewis Strauss]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] | {{nominated|[[America Ferrera]] <small>as Gloria</small>}} | {{nominated|[[Emily Blunt]] <small>as [[Katherine Oppenheimer|Kitty Oppenheimer]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] | {{nominated|[[Greta Gerwig]] and [[Noah Baumbach]]; <small>based on [[List of Barbie's friends and family|characters]] created by [[Ruth Handler]]</small>}} | {{nominated|Christopher Nolan; <small>based on the biography ''[[American Prometheus]]'' by [[Kai Bird]] and [[Martin J. Sherwin]]</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Hoyte van Hoytema]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Editing]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Jennifer Lame]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]] | {{nominated|[[Jacqueline Durran]]}} | {{nominated|[[Ellen Mirojnick]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]] | {{nominated|[[Sarah Greenwood]] <small>(production design)</small>; [[Katie Spencer]] <small>(set decoration)</small>}} | {{nominated|Ruth De Jong <small>(production design)</small>; Claire Kaufman <small>(set decoration)</small>}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup and Hairstyling]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{nominated|Luisa Abel}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{nominated|[[Willie D. Burton|Willie Burton]], [[Richard King (sound designer)|Richard King]], [[Kevin O'Connell (sound mixer)|Kevin O'Connell]], and [[Gary Rizzo|Gary A. Rizzo]]}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Score]] | colspan="1" {{cEmpty}} | {{won|[[Ludwig Göransson]]}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan=2| [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Song]] | {{nominated|"[[I'm Just Ken]]" (music and lyrics by [[Mark Ronson]] and [[Andrew Wyatt]])}} | colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} |- |{{won|"[[What Was I Made For?]]" (music and lyrics by [[Billie Eilish]] and [[Finneas O'Connell]])}} | colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} |} Both films led the nominations at the [[81st Golden Globe Awards]], with ''Barbie'' gaining a leading nine nods and ''Oppenheimer'' trailing with eight.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/11/golden-globes-barbie-2024-nominations-scorsese-oppenheimer-yorgos-yanthimos|title=It's Barbenheimer mark two at the Golden Globes as the two blockbusters face off once again|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|date=December 11, 2023|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 12, 2023|archive-date=December 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226234207/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/11/golden-globes-barbie-2024-nominations-scorsese-oppenheimer-yorgos-yanthimos|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' won five Golden Globes including Best Drama, Director and Actor, while ''Barbie'' won two, Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coyle |first1=Jack |title='Poor Things' upsets 'Barbie' to win best comedy at Golden Globes |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/us/oppenheimer-leading-golden-globes-with-wins-for-murphy-downey-jr-and-nolan/ar-AA1mBasR |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307025001/https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/us/oppenheimer-leading-golden-globes-with-wins-for-murphy-downey-jr-and-nolan/ar-AA1mBasR |url-status=live }}</ref> Both films also led the nominations at [[29th Critics' Choice Awards]] with ''Barbie'' receiving a record-breaking 18 and ''Oppenheimer'' securing 13 nominations, tied for second-most with [[Yorgos Lanthimos]]'s [[Victorian era]] [[black comedy]] ''[[Poor Things (film)|Poor Things]]''.<ref name="Film Nominations">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/critics-choice-film-nominations-2023-1235665954/ |title=The Critics Choice is 'Barbie' with 18 CCA Nominations; 'Oppenheimer', 'Poor Things' Follow with 13 Each |last=Hammond |first=Pete |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=December 13, 2023 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215094347/https://deadline.com/2023/12/critics-choice-film-nominations-2023-1235665954/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Oppenheimer'' walked away with eight awards, the most of the night, including Best Picture and Best Director. ''Barbie'' secured six wins, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Comedy, and America Ferrera, one of the film's actors, received the #SeeHer Award. They also led the nominations at the [[30th Screen Actors Guild Awards]], with both films receiving four nods.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Niamh |title=SAG Awards nominations: Barbenheimer, Succession and The Crown dominate - along with plenty of British talent |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sag-awards-nominations-barbenheimer-succession-and-the-crown-dominate-along-with-plenty-of-british-talent-13045357 |website=Sky News |date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110210825/https://news.sky.com/story/sag-awards-nominations-barbenheimer-succession-and-the-crown-dominate-along-with-plenty-of-british-talent-13045357 |url-status=live }}</ref> == Notes == {{notelist|refs= {{efn|name=OscarNoms|At the [[90th Academy Awards]] held on March 4, 2018, both Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan were nominated in [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] for ''[[Lady Bird (film)|Lady Bird]]'' and ''[[Dunkirk (2017 film)|Dunkirk]]'', respectively. Gerwig was also nominated in [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] for ''Lady Bird'' at the 90th Oscars, and in [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] for ''[[Little Women (2019 film)|Little Women]]'' at the [[92nd Academy Awards|92nd Oscars]] (February 9, 2020), while Nolan was also nominated in Best Original Screenplay for ''[[Memento (film)|Memento]]'' at the [[74th Academy Awards|74th Oscars]] (March 24, 2002), and for ''[[Inception]]'' at the [[83rd Academy Awards|83rd Oscars]] (February 27, 2011).}} {{efn|name=Husband-and-wife|[[Margot Robbie]] and [[Tom Ackerley]]'s [[LuckyChap Entertainment]] for ''Barbie'', and Nolan and [[Emma Thomas]]' [[Syncopy Inc.]] for ''Oppenheimer''.}} }} == See also == * [[2023 in film]] * [[United States in the 1950s]] * [[Cold War]] * [[Optimism]] and [[pessimism]] == References == {{reflist}} == Further reading == *{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/barbenheimer-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-61a6ec6c67359b851ddeccd6d655b5ab |title=The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer's most online movie showdown |date=July 14, 2023 |last=Bahr |first=Lindsey |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717002421/https://apnews.com/article/barbenheimer-barbie-vs-oppenheimer-61a6ec6c67359b851ddeccd6d655b5ab |url-status=live }} *{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 23, 2023 |title='Barbie' & 'Oppenheimer': A Rundown Of All The Box Office Records Broken |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-records-1235445928/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723191226/https://deadline.com/2023/07/barbie-oppenheimer-box-office-records-1235445928/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-barbenheimer-day-double-feature.html |title=The Dawn of Barbenheimer |date=July 7, 2023 |last=Frank |first=Jason |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709050501/https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-barbenheimer-day-double-feature.html |url-status=live }} *{{Cite web |last1=Ocampo |first1=Josh |last2=Dargis |first2=Manohla |date=July 21, 2023 |title='Barbenheimer' and a Film Critic's Perspective, in Review |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/insider/barbie-oppenheimer-critic.html |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721073141/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/insider/barbie-oppenheimer-critic.html/ |url-status=live }} *{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23790471/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-summer-movies-2023 |title=Barbenheimer is just the beginning of this year's summer blockbuster season |date=July 11, 2023 |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |work=[[The Verge]] |access-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717161741/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23790471/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-summer-movies-2023 |url-status=live }} ==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Wiktionary-inline|Barbenheimer}} {{Barbie}} {{Manhattan Project}} {{Greta Gerwig}} {{Christopher Nolan}} [[Category:2023 in American cinema]] [[Category:2023 neologisms]] [[Category:Advertising campaigns]] [[Category:Barbie]] [[Category:Black comedy]] [[Category:Christopher Nolan]] [[Category:Comparisons]] [[Category:Cultural depictions of J. Robert Oppenheimer]] [[Category:Film controversies in Japan]] [[Category:Film and television memes]] [[Category:Greta Gerwig]] [[Category:Internet memes introduced from the United States]] [[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2023]] [[Category:July 2023 events]] [[Category:Viral marketing]] [[Category:Barbie (film)]]'
Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff)
'@@ -64,4 +64,17 @@ Margot Robbie, who portrays the titular character in ''Barbie'', suggested watching ''Barbie'', then ''Oppenheimer'', and then ''Barbie'' again.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> President Barbie's actor in ''Barbie'', [[Issa Rae]], said that "If you see ''Oppenheimer'' last then you might be a bit of a psychopath."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> [[CNN]] Entertainment writer Scottie Andrew recommended watching ''Oppenheimer'' first and ''Barbie'' second, comparing it to "saving dessert for ''after'' dinner".<ref name=":3" /> + +=== Counterprogramming === +[[File:Barbenheimer at Crouch End Picturehouse, 165 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, July 2023.jpg|thumb|right|Sold out screenings of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' at the Crouch End Picturehouse in North London on July 22]] +<!-- ENSURE PARAGRAPHS ARE FAIRLY EXPANDED AND REFERENCES ARE MADE TO RELIABLE SOURCES --> +The Barbenheimer phenomenon is an instance of [[Counterprogramming (film distribution)|counterprogramming]], a marketing strategy in which a tonally different film is released on the same day as a major film to appeal to an underrepresented group.<ref name="GQ" /> Universal successfully deployed counterprogramming as early as 2002, when it opened the [[Comedy drama|dramedy]] ''[[About a Boy (film)|About a Boy]]'' opposite the [[Science fiction|science-fiction]] [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fonseca |first1=Nicholas |title=Duel Action: 'Attack of the Clones' vs. 'About A Boy' and other box-office match ups... |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602080418/https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The former enjoyed the strongest opening for a British film that year, finishing with over $130&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=About a Boy storms to top |date=April 30, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219024819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> + +BBC News observed the phenomenon occur during October 2013 when two very different Scotland set films, black crime comedy ''[[Filth (film)|Filth]]'', and romantic musical ''[[Sunshine on Leith (film)|Sunshine on Leith]]'' open the same week in the UK. Men's magazine ''[[GQ]]'' observed the phenomenon occurring in the [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]], such as ''[[Avatar: The Way of Water]]'' and ''[[Puss in Boots: The Last Wish]]'' in 2022, and compared summer to an "all-or-nothing bloodsport". In 2022, counterprogramming occurred with the summer films ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'' and ''[[The Bob's Burgers Movie]]'', in which the latter is a smaller film than the former, allowing for such a dynamic.<ref name="GQ">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |title=When Summer Blockbusters Collide: A Short History |date=June 5, 2023 |last=Phipps |first=Keith |work=[[GQ]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702213013/https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |url-status=live}}</ref> + +The release date of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' drew parallels to the same U.S. release date of Nolan's [[superhero film]] ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (distributed by Warner Bros.) and the [[jukebox musical]] ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' (distributed by Universal) on July 18, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are opening on the same date. Why that's not a bad thing |date=April 13, 2023 |last=Nguyen |first=Janet |work=[[Marketplace (radio program)|Marketplace]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702202837/https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor [[Tom Cruise]], producer and lead actor of ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'' which opened the week before the two films, fervently promoted his film over ''Oppenheimer'' and ''Barbie'' to erode ''Oppenheimer''<nowiki/>'s three-week [[IMAX]] exclusivity window.<ref name=":2" /> + +Barbenheimer has seen comparisons to the simultaneous release of the video game titles ''[[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]'' and ''[[Doom Eternal]]'' on March 20, 2020, which prompted a similar online crossover phenomenon at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colbert |first=Isaiah |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Before Barbenheimer, There Was Doom Eternal And Animal Crossing |url=https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728072737/https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jade |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons And Doom Eternal Are The Original Barbenheimer |url=https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731144537/https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The trend also appeared with the [[series finale]]s of the television series ''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]'' and ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'', both of which aired on August 23, 2023, on [[The CW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|title='Riverdale,' 'Nancy Drew' Series Finales Among The CW Summer Slate|work=[[The Wrap]]|last=Seitz|first=Loree|date=May 10, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518082942/https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|archive-date=May 18, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|title='Nancy Drew' and 'Riverdale' Back-to-Back Finales Could Be Described as Barbenheimer for CW Fans|work=[[Us Weekly]]|author=Yana Grebenyuk|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826101842/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|archive-date=August 26, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> + +In light of Barbenheimer, other studios concocted similar events to their upcoming releases. This includes "Saw Patrol", named after ''[[Saw X]]'' and ''[[PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie]]'' released September 29, 2023, though this received a more mixed response.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |title=Forget Barbenheimer, there's a new same-day cinema clash: Saw Patrol |date=July 21, 2023 |last=Russell |first=Bradley |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721123828/https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Reports from third-party outlets to support this sentence, please: This was acknowledged by both studios behind those movies, [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Lionsgate]] through their Twitter posts. --> In an opposite of this move however, Universal moved ''[[The Exorcist: Believer]]'' up from its intended October 13, 2023, date to October 6 to avoid competing with ''[[Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour]]'' that was releasing the same day, thus preventing an "Exorswift" release schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Even Demons Fear Taylor Swift |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902220114/https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Lillian |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Forget Exorswift: Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film gets release date to itself as 'Exorcist' moves |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902061225/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> == Reception == '
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[ 0 => '', 1 => '=== Counterprogramming ===', 2 => '[[File:Barbenheimer at Crouch End Picturehouse, 165 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, July 2023.jpg|thumb|right|Sold out screenings of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' at the Crouch End Picturehouse in North London on July 22]]', 3 => '<!-- ENSURE PARAGRAPHS ARE FAIRLY EXPANDED AND REFERENCES ARE MADE TO RELIABLE SOURCES --> ', 4 => 'The Barbenheimer phenomenon is an instance of [[Counterprogramming (film distribution)|counterprogramming]], a marketing strategy in which a tonally different film is released on the same day as a major film to appeal to an underrepresented group.<ref name="GQ" /> Universal successfully deployed counterprogramming as early as 2002, when it opened the [[Comedy drama|dramedy]] ''[[About a Boy (film)|About a Boy]]'' opposite the [[Science fiction|science-fiction]] [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fonseca |first1=Nicholas |title=Duel Action: 'Attack of the Clones' vs. 'About A Boy' and other box-office match ups... |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602080418/https://ew.com/article/2002/04/19/duel-action-attack-clones-vs-about-boy-and-other-box-office-match-ups/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The former enjoyed the strongest opening for a British film that year, finishing with over $130&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=About a Boy storms to top |date=April 30, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219024819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1959728.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>', 5 => '', 6 => 'BBC News observed the phenomenon occur during October 2013 when two very different Scotland set films, black crime comedy ''[[Filth (film)|Filth]]'', and romantic musical ''[[Sunshine on Leith (film)|Sunshine on Leith]]'' open the same week in the UK. Men's magazine ''[[GQ]]'' observed the phenomenon occurring in the [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]], such as ''[[Avatar: The Way of Water]]'' and ''[[Puss in Boots: The Last Wish]]'' in 2022, and compared summer to an "all-or-nothing bloodsport". In 2022, counterprogramming occurred with the summer films ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'' and ''[[The Bob's Burgers Movie]]'', in which the latter is a smaller film than the former, allowing for such a dynamic.<ref name="GQ">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |title=When Summer Blockbusters Collide: A Short History |date=June 5, 2023 |last=Phipps |first=Keith |work=[[GQ]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702213013/https://www.gq.com/story/barbie-oppenheimer-same-release-date-blockbuster-clashes |url-status=live}}</ref>', 7 => '', 8 => 'The release date of ''Barbie'' and ''Oppenheimer'' drew parallels to the same U.S. release date of Nolan's [[superhero film]] ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (distributed by Warner Bros.) and the [[jukebox musical]] ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' (distributed by Universal) on July 18, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are opening on the same date. Why that's not a bad thing |date=April 13, 2023 |last=Nguyen |first=Janet |work=[[Marketplace (radio program)|Marketplace]] |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702202837/https://www.marketplace.org/2023/04/13/barbie-and-oppenheimer-are-opening-on-the-same-date-why-thats-not-a-bad-thing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor [[Tom Cruise]], producer and lead actor of ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'' which opened the week before the two films, fervently promoted his film over ''Oppenheimer'' and ''Barbie'' to erode ''Oppenheimer''<nowiki/>'s three-week [[IMAX]] exclusivity window.<ref name=":2" />', 9 => '', 10 => 'Barbenheimer has seen comparisons to the simultaneous release of the video game titles ''[[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]'' and ''[[Doom Eternal]]'' on March 20, 2020, which prompted a similar online crossover phenomenon at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colbert |first=Isaiah |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Before Barbenheimer, There Was Doom Eternal And Animal Crossing |url=https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728072737/https://kotaku.com/barbie-oppenheimer-barbenheimer-doom-animal-crossing-1850664597 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jade |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons And Doom Eternal Are The Original Barbenheimer |url=https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731144537/https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-and-doom-eternal-are-the-original-barbenheimer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The trend also appeared with the [[series finale]]s of the television series ''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]'' and ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'', both of which aired on August 23, 2023, on [[The CW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|title='Riverdale,' 'Nancy Drew' Series Finales Among The CW Summer Slate|work=[[The Wrap]]|last=Seitz|first=Loree|date=May 10, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518082942/https://www.thewrap.com/riverdale-nancy-drew-series-finales-the-cw/|archive-date=May 18, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|title='Nancy Drew' and 'Riverdale' Back-to-Back Finales Could Be Described as Barbenheimer for CW Fans|work=[[Us Weekly]]|author=Yana Grebenyuk|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826101842/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/nancy-drew-and-riverdale-finales-act-as-barbenheimer-for-cw-fans/|archive-date=August 26, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>', 11 => '', 12 => 'In light of Barbenheimer, other studios concocted similar events to their upcoming releases. This includes "Saw Patrol", named after ''[[Saw X]]'' and ''[[PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie]]'' released September 29, 2023, though this received a more mixed response.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |title=Forget Barbenheimer, there's a new same-day cinema clash: Saw Patrol |date=July 21, 2023 |last=Russell |first=Bradley |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721123828/https://www.gamesradar.com/saw-patrol-barbenheimer-saw-x-paw-patrol/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Reports from third-party outlets to support this sentence, please: This was acknowledged by both studios behind those movies, [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Lionsgate]] through their Twitter posts. --> In an opposite of this move however, Universal moved ''[[The Exorcist: Believer]]'' up from its intended October 13, 2023, date to October 6 to avoid competing with ''[[Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour]]'' that was releasing the same day, thus preventing an "Exorswift" release schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Even Demons Fear Taylor Swift |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902220114/https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/the-exorcist-believer-moves-release-date-taylor-swift-eras-tour-film.html |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Lillian |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Forget Exorswift: Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film gets release date to itself as 'Exorcist' moves |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902061225/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-will-competing-new-exorcist-opening-night-rcna102726 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>' ]
Lines removed in edit (removed_lines)
[]
Whether or not the change was made through a Tor exit node (tor_exit_node)
false
Unix timestamp of change (timestamp)
'1710439326'

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:AbuseLog/37231958"






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