- The cinema experience has been transformed into a comedic affair with memes like “Barbenheimer” and “Gentleminions”.
- Movie theaters have been facing challenges in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Memes that promote watching movies in theaters can provide a much-needed boost.
The movie theater industry was devastated by the pandemic, but now, blockbuster memes are revitalizing it.
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” are both premiering this weekend. While they were not originally intended to be shown together, the phenomenon of counter programming has turned “Barbenheimer” into the biggest film event of the summer.
These memes are even translating into actual ticket sales. According to AMC Entertainment, over 40,000 people have purchased tickets to see “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” as a double feature.
“Barbenheimer” is just the latest example of how going to the movies has become a meme. In 2022, people were dressing up in suits to watch “Minions: The Rise of Gru” as inspired by the “Gentleminions” trend on TikTok. There are also viral videos of people showing up in full costume to watch movies like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and confusing the theater staff with their choice of film.
The pandemic put movie theaters in a dire situation, with Gallup polls showing that Americans watched an historically low average of 1.4 movies in theaters in 2021. While big-budget films like “Top Gun: Maverick” can attract audiences back to theaters, grassroots memes about going to the movies can also have a positive impact.
“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are predicted to have $100 million and $50 million openings, respectively, according to the New York Times. Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at Boxoffice Pro, highlighted the influence of the “Gentleminions” trend as an example of how media trends can boost a film’s success.
Amidst various smaller trends, there is a larger meta trend of making going to the movies a fun and exaggerated experience that continues to attract audiences.
