“Warner Bros’ ‘Barbie’ Breaks Records at the Box Office”
Warner Bros’ “Barbie” is proving to be an unstoppable force at the box office, with no signs of slowing down in its second weekend. Media analytics firm Comscore estimates that the movie will rake in an impressive $93 million in ticket sales from Friday through Sunday.
Directed by Greta Gerwig, “Barbie” has emerged as the year’s No. 1 movie, achieving the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film directed by a woman. Since its release on July 21, the film, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, has amassed over $351 million in the US and Canada, and an astounding $775 million globally.
The movie’s success has also had a significant impact on toy maker Mattel Inc., which saw a surprise second-quarter profit following the film’s release. CEO Ynon Kreiz announced plans to capitalize on the movie’s popularity by expanding “Barbie”-related toys and products in the latter half of 2023.
Despite facing fierce competition from Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” during the same weekend, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have been humorously dubbed “Barbenheimer.” This unique event underscores the rarity of two blockbusters opening simultaneously. Their combined sales have been deemed “absolutely mind-blowing” by Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian, with second-weekend numbers surpassing typical opening weekend figures.
Warner Bros’ “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” continue to shatter records and captivate audiences worldwide. Not only has “Barbie” solidified its position as the year’s top movie, but it has also revitalized Mattel Inc’s toy business.
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