Potential for Massive Opening Weekend for “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”

This weekend, the box office is presenting a unique combination of atomic bombs and blonde bombshells. When two major movies from different studios are released simultaneously, it’s typically a battle for ticket sales. However, Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” and Universal’s “Oppenheimer” are creating more of a complementary experience, with many moviegoers planning double feature trips to the cinemas.

“Ever since we knew that these two films were going to open on the same weekend, there’s been an instant pop culture phenomenon,” said Erik Davis, managing director at Fandango. “It’s been the most anticipated weekend of the year.”

Despite their stark differences, both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have attracted audiences. This excitement is crucial for the domestic box office, which has recently seen a string of big-budget movies underperforming.

Projections indicate that “Barbie” will capture at least $90 million in domestic ticket sales, with some analysts even estimating it could exceed $140 million. On the other hand, “Oppenheimer” is expected to earn between $40 million and $60 million.

Combined, these two films could generate $200 million during their opening weekend. Alongside “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and “Sound of Freedom,” this could potentially be the highest-grossing weekend of the year so far.

Major movie chains have reported strong ticket sales for both films, prompting additional showings to meet the demand. Over 40,000 AMC Theatre loyalty program members have purchased tickets to watch “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” on the same day, and the National Association of Theatre Owners projects that over 200,000 moviegoers will attend same-day viewings of the two films.

“Going into this weekend, anticipation has been very high for both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,'” said Jeffrey Kaufman, chief content officer at Malco Theatres. “Media coverage and the public embrace of the #Barbenheimer tag show awareness and excitement for both releases.”

Part of the appeal of these films comes from their esteemed filmmakers. Greta Gerwig, known for “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” has already established herself as one of Hollywood’s renowned auteurs. Her films focus on women and feature sharp dialogue and emotional depth. Christopher Nolan, on the other hand, has cultivated a devoted fanbase through movies like “Memento,” “The Dark Knight,” and “Interstellar.” His films are known for their intricate storytelling, immersive sound, and visual grandeur.

“Barbie” takes an unconventional approach to the iconic doll, following her journey beyond Barbie Land in a film directed by Greta Gerwig. The teasers and trailers have showcased the beloved pink world of Barbie alongside a unique storyline involving existential crisis and self-discovery.

“Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, is a three-hour opus centered on physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Nolan’s films are renowned for their grand scale and attention to detail.

“Barbie” is expected to appeal to a predominantly female audience and has garnered significant brand appeal, positioning it as the front-runner for the weekend box office. However, “Oppenheimer” is expected to have a longer-lasting impact, aligning with Christopher Nolan’s track record of success.

While “Barbie” will have a slightly lower average ticket price, “Oppenheimer” is projected to dominate premium format showings, such as IMAX and Dolby Cinema. These factors contribute to a potentially monumental weekend for both films.

These releases follow a series of underperforming blockbusters, but “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are expected to avoid any negative impact. Both movies have had strong marketing campaigns, with the casts participating in promotional activities and generating buzz on social media.

“Exhibition is navigating a very nuanced balancing act with respect to programming two incredibly high-profile films with ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,'” said Steve Buck of movie data firm EntTelligence. “The winner is simple – the moviegoer.”

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.