‘Barbenheimer’ has biggest opening weekend of the year at the North American box office

Get Free Media Updates

we will send you one myFT Daily Digest Latest Email Rounding media News every morning.

barbie And oppenheimer It delivered the strongest opening weekend at the box office this year as fans rushed to experience the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, giving theaters a boost after a disappointing summer season.

barbieThe estimated $155 million opening in North America was the highest of the year, following a marketing blitz by toy makers Mattel and Warner Bros. oppenheimerThe three-hour film about the “father of the atomic bomb” grossed an estimated $80.5 million in North America, well above the $50 million estimate.

Performances were particularly strong for films that were not based on proven Hollywood franchises. star wars Or the Avengersanalysts and cinema executives said.

“These movies don’t fit the summer blockbuster framework,” said Mike Sampson, field marketing director for the Alamo Drafthouse cinema chain. “It’s great to attract a different crowd rather than the same action-adventure group.”

Directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, barbie It grossed an estimated $182 million outside the US. oppenheimerThe film, directed by Christopher Nolan and released by Universal, grossed $93.7 million outside the US, according to comScore.

Sampson said that he thinks both films are doing well and will continue to do well in the coming weeks. “These are two really good films, just two films not doing well. People can’t stop talking about him.

The strong opening has given a boost to theatres, many of which are still reeling from the effects of Covid-induced shutdowns and production delays. Theaters have enjoyed their first full line-up of summer movies since 2019, but ticket sales have slumped from that year’s levels.

“People recognized that something special was happening and they wanted to be a part of it,” said Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners.

But the meme-driven buzz faded the opening weekend’s competition among the light-hearted barbie And Nolan’s film about the dawn of the nuclear age has piqued fan interest beyond expectations. According to the American cinema industry trade group, over 200,000 fans bought tickets to see both films in a single day in North America over the weekend.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior analyst at research group comScore, said the weekend could be the second-highest grosser in box office history once final numbers are released. He said this has happened when Hollywood actors and writers have gone on strike.

“It’s a great weekend at the box office, especially in a time of turmoil in Hollywood with the actors and writers on strike,” he added.

Strike rules prevent stars from promoting their films, although the studio’s marketing machinery was already in effect for these films before the actors went on strike this month. Even then, oppenheimerThe cast walked out during the film’s London debut, and its New York premiere was cancelled.

The box office results are almost double the original estimates, thanks to the studio’s marketing and online buzz, he said. “They didn’t scream ‘summer blockbuster’ right away,” he said. “It shows that audiences want to be challenged.”

cinema owners are pushing barbie-themed concessions and other promotions, and some reported selling all their inventory.

Sampson said the audience is getting barbie Slumber parties, which have helped sell themed cocktails and merchandise.

“The barbie The Thermos Lunchbox is already sold out, and barbie The sunglasses are already sold out,” he said. “It’s all selling really well.”