Warner Bros, the distributor of the film "Barbie," announced on Sunday that the new movie starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll has dominated theaters in its opening weekend. The company added that the film grossed nearly $155 million, setting a record for the highest-grossing films in opening weekend revenues in the United States for 2023.
The film "Oppenheimer," directed by Christopher Nolan and focused on the creation of the atomic bomb, also exceeded expectations by earning $80.5 million in domestic theaters. These earnings provided a strong boost for studios and theaters that have been facing a disappointing summer so far. Ticket sales have declined compared to last year, despite the release of more films in cinemas.
The plot of "Barbie," directed by Greta Gerwig, revolves around the doll that first appeared 60 years ago. Its revenue surpassed that of "The Super Mario Bros," which earned $146.4 million in April. Meanwhile, "Oppenheimer," featuring Cillian Murphy as American scientist Robert Oppenheimer, received positive critical reviews and is expected to be a contender in the upcoming Oscars race. Universal Pictures, the film's distributor, reported that it made $93.7 million in international markets, bringing its total global earnings to $174.2 million.
