NEW YORK – A week after their monumental box office debut, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” continue to shatter records, demonstrating extraordinary resilience in theaters. According to studio estimates released on Sunday, “Barbie” raked in an astonishing $93 million in its second weekend, while “Oppenheimer” followed closely in second place with an impressive $46.2 million. Both films experienced only a 43% and 44% decline in sales, respectively, a departure from the typical week-two drops.
The phenomenon of “Barbenheimer” has surpassed expectations, becoming an ongoing box office bonanza. Together, the two movies have collectively crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide ticket sales. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, hails it as a “touchstone moment for movies, moviegoers, and movie theaters.”
The tremendous success of these rival films, bolstering each other’s fortunes both at the box office and in terms of their public profile, is unparalleled in the history of cinema. Their combined impact has no precedent, making this a truly unique phenomenon.
Following its unprecedented $162 million opening, the vibrant pop sensation “Barbie” demonstrated remarkable staying power throughout the week and into the weekend. It even surpassed Warner Bros.’ “The Dark Knight” for the best first 11 days in theaters. The film has already amassed $351.4 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters, on track to become the biggest box office hit of the summer. Each day, “Barbie” continues to rake in at least $20 million.
The allure of “Barbie” extends beyond North America, as it grossed an additional $122.2 million internationally over the weekend, bringing its global earnings to a staggering $775 million. Industry veterans are astonished by its performance, and Jeff Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros., attributes its success to a built-in audience eager to be part of the zeitgeist.
Adding to the sensation, “Barbie” has already garnered a significant number of repeat viewers, with approximately 12% of sales attributed to people returning with friends and family to experience the film again.
In contrast, Universal Pictures’ “Oppenheimer,” the three-hour drama depicting atomic bomb physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, has been performing akin to a superhero movie. Led by Cillian Murphy, the film has earned an impressive $174.1 million domestically and an additional $72.4 million in international theaters, crossing the $400 million global milestone.
IMAX showings of “Oppenheimer” have been consistently sold out, amassing $80 million worldwide in the format. Due to its overwhelming success, the large-format exhibitor announced that the film’s run will be extended through August 13.
Among the week’s new releases, Walt Disney Co.’s “Haunted Mansion,” an adaptation of the popular theme park attraction, struggled to gain traction amidst the “Barbenheimer” frenzy. The film, with a production cost of around $150 million, opened with $24 million domestically and $9 million in international sales. Despite featuring an ensemble cast, the movie faced challenges due to mixed reviews from critics.
On a brighter note, A24’s supernatural horror film, “Talk to Me,” performed well, debuting with $10 million. Directed by Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou and starring Sophie Wilde, the film has been lauded by critics, earning a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With a modest budget of $4.5 million, it has proven to be a success.
While the robust return of moviegoers has reinvigorated the film industry, it has not been without its challenges. Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I,” which opened just before “Barbenheimer,” earned $10.7 million in its third weekend. Although it has grossed $139.2 million domestically and $309.3 million overseas, it pales in comparison to the juggernaut of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”
Surprisingly, the sleeper hit “Sound of Freedom” emerged as the best-performing non-“Barbenheimer” release in theaters. The Angel Studios’ film, which factors crowdfunding pay-it-forward sales into its box office totals, earned $12.4 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its cumulative earnings to nearly $150 million.
As the film industry grapples with the evolving landscape and the impact of various factors, the successes of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” serve as a beacon of hope for the future. Post-pandemic, the possibilities for movies are boundless, and these blockbuster hits prove that when everything aligns, the rewards can be enormous.
Please note that the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters are according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday.
- “Barbie,” US$93 million.
- “Opppenheimer,” US$46.2 million.
- “Haunted Mansion,” US$24.2 million.
- “Sound of Freedom,” US$12.4 million.
- “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” US$10.7 million.
- “Talk to Me,” US$10 million.
- “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” US$4 million.
- “Elemental,” US$3.4 million.
- “Insidious: The Red Door,” US$3.2 million.
- “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,” US$1.6 million.