Photo:Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros., Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros., Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
Oppenheimerreportedly got a boost in the box office during its opening weekend thanks to last-minuteBarbie-viewing hopefuls facing sold-out theaters.
In the double feature of the year, the neon-coated comedy and the explosive historical epic debuted in theaters this weekend,dominating the box office. A new study from film-data research companyThe Quorumfound that the “Barbenheimer” extravaganza didn’t just contribute to thehigh double feature sales, though.
Six percent of the people who sawOppenheimerin the U.S. this past weekend had originally hoped to seeBarbie, only to find the screenings were sold out, according to The Quorum’s findings. With that, the firm estimates that $4.98 million ofOppenheimer’s$82.4 million in domestic box office sales came fromBarbieleftovers.
The researchers conducted a survey ofOppenheimerviewers on Sunday, asking moviegoers why they saw theChristopher Nolanfilm. The company’s founder David Herrin toldIndieWirethat “bought ticket becauseBarbiewas sold out” was one of the options for respondents.
Warner Bros./Youtube
The latest box office estimates for each film far exceeded the high expectations set for them, withBarbiegarnering arecord-shatteringtotal of $162 million andOppenheimertaking in $82.4 million, according toVariety.
TheMargot Robbie-starring film that centers around Mattel’s iconic doll made $22.3 million in Thursday preview screenings alone, whileOppenheimer, which stars Cillian Murphy as Manhattan Project physicistJ. Robert Oppenheimer, took in $10.5 million, perVariety.
In the weeks leading up to the July 21 release date for each film, fans coined the term “Barbenheimer” to label the viral trend of seeing both theGreta Gerwig–directedBarbieand Nolan’sOppenheimeron the same day or the same weekend.
Even the stars of the respective moviessaid they would be sureto check out their fellow July blockbuster.Cillian Murphy, who stars asOppenheimer’stitle character, toldIGNhe personally “can’t wait” to seeBarbie.
Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
He added, “Yeah, you can spend the whole day in the cinema — what’s better than that?”
Murphy’s response to the playful opening weekend competition came after theBarbieteamshared photosof Robbie and Gerwigproudly posing with their movie ticketstoOppenheimerand fellow summer blockbustersIndiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyandMission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.
“Mission: Accepted!” read the accompanying tweet.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
“What a fabulous weekend for moviegoers at AMC’s movie theatres in the U.S. and abroad,” AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron said ina statement on Monday. “AMC sends an enormous thank you and congratulations to Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie,Ryan Gosling, and the entire team at Warner Bros., and to Christopher Nolan and the team at Universal Pictures. They’ve demonstrated that well-made, well-marketed films that captivate audiences can open on the same weekend and both enjoy great success.”
source: people.com
