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'Barbenheimer' Delivers At The Box Office
Margot Robbie meets fans during a pink carpet event to promote her new film "Barbie" in Seoul on July 2.
(
Jung Yeon-Je
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Topline:
It's known as "Barbenheimer": Two highly anticipated films, far apart in tone and subject matter, that have not disappointed at the weekend box office.
Happy #Barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/kqNmNsSsor
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) July 21, 2023
Tell me more: Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, notched a historic $155 million-plus opening domestically — a feat typically reserved for superhero or tentpole films.
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The film also marked the biggest domestic opening in North America directed by a woman. It's the first major studio film helmed by Greta Gerwig, known for indie fare such as Lady Bird and Little Women.
Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer — the very serious half of the "Barbenheimer" combo — came in at $80.5 million, ahead of expectations.
What I love about #Barbenheimer is that there aren’t Barbie fans hating on Oppenheimer, and there aren’t Oppenheimer fans hating on Barbie.
— TheConnorWebber (@TheConnorWeb) July 23, 2023
It’s just people enjoying two REALLY good films. pic.twitter.com/GaVOCD2Qsq
The backstory: The "Barbenheimer" meme overtook the interwebs and IRL as anticipation started to build for both movies, leading to a tongue-in-cheek rivalry of sorts. Then, the idea of a double feature won out.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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