28 July 2023, Mumbai: The box office opening week collection of Barbenheimer was a captivating spectacle that left movie enthusiasts intrigued. Oppenheimer and Barbie, the dynamic duo, amassed a staggering ₹100 crore in India, igniting the excitement of cinephiles. The Barbenheimer box office figures revealed that Barbie, under the direction of Greta Gerwig, garnered ₹27.5 crore within a span of seven days. Oppenheimer, on the other hand, emerged as the undisputed star, earning more than double that amount with an impressive ₹73.15 crore during its opening week in India.
Barbenheimer is coincidence or competition stiff?
The coincidence of July 21 witnessed the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, setting the stage for an epic showdown at the Indian box office. The duo made history by amassing a combined ₹100.6 crore nett during their inaugural weeks. The dust settled after seven days of release, Barbie and Oppenheimer, forever intertwined in the annals of Barbenheimer, stood tall with their respective earnings of ₹27.5 crore nett and ₹73.15 crore nett.
Barbenheimer Box Office Dominance and Global Sensation:
Oppenheimer’s extraordinary performance was evident from its impressive run during the initial six days, generating a commendable ₹67.9 crore nett in India. On Thursday, day 7 of its release, the movie continued its triumphant stride, adding ₹5.25 crore nett to reach an outstanding week one collection of ₹73.15 crore. Cillian Murphy portrayed the enigmatic American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, the visionary behind the atomic bomb’s development. Simultaneously, Barbie’s box office journey also captivated audiences. On day 7 of its release, the film secured ₹2 crore nett in India, culminating in a total week one collection of ₹27.5 crore nett. Margot Robbie breathed life into the ‘stereotypical’ version of the iconic doll, while Ryan Gosling added charm to the character of Ken.
Barbenheimer setting records at Indian Box Office and Worldwide
The formidable records set by Oppenheimer and Barbie were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Barbie etched its name in history by breaking several box office records, including claiming the title of the largest opening of 2023. Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer achieved global acclaim with the biggest opening for a biopic. Together, they reigned over the international box office, grossing over $511 million worldwide, with a remarkable $235.5 million earned in the US over the opening weekend. Reports further highlighted Barbie’s astounding success. The film surpassed the lifetime grosses of numerous other female-led movies, while also setting a new record for the largest opening of a female-directed film in the US, surpassing Captain Marvel’s feat of $153.4 million. Barbie also boasted the largest grossing day of 2023, with an incredible $70.8 million.
Oppenheimer Triumps
Oppenheimer’s triumphs were equally remarkable, marking Christopher Nolan’s third-highest-grossing opening weekend, both globally and in the US. It emerged as the biggest non-superhero opening weekend for a Christopher Nolan film in 55 markets, including major territories like the UK and Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Spain, and Brazil. Additionally, it claimed the title of the biggest opening day for a Christopher Nolan film in 33 markets, encompassing regions like Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, Netherlands, Argentina, and Belgium. The enigmatic saga of Barbenheimer continues to enthrall moviegoers, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next enigmatic chapter of this mesmerizing box office tale. By Yashika Desai.