- Shamser Khalid
Barbie' smashes records, crosses $1B at box office
The cinematic realm is buzzing with excitement, as the Barbie film continues to shatter records since its release on July 21. The movie has ignited the Hollywood landscape with its audacious success, leaving us to ponder: what can't Barbie achieve?
The unveiling of "Barbie" on the grand screen marks the commencement of a ground-breaking era, guided by Greta Gerwig's directorial finesse and Margot Robbie's dynamic portrayal in the central role. Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken further amplifies the allure of this cinematic spectacle.
At the forefront is the monumental achievement of becoming the first film directed by a solo woman to surmount the $1 billion milestone at the global box office. Over the course of a single weekend, the film's worldwide ticket sales eclipsed this landmark figure, etching Greta Gerwig's name in history as the first female directorto achieve the milestone, solo.
Collaborating with her partner Noah Baumbach on the screenplay, Gerwig forged a distinctive narrative that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Analyzing data, approximately 50 films have secured membership in the billion-dollar club. Within this, three were co-directed by women: Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck headed "Frozen" and its sequel "Frozen II," while Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck undertook "Captain Marvel." Patty Jenkins directed "Wonder Woman," which was close to the $1 billion mark with a worldwide tally of $823 million.
On the first day that "Barbie" was shown, it made more money than any other movie's first day in 2023. It earned $70.5 million, which was more than the $51.8 million that "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" made on its opening day. Additionally, "Barbie" now has the record for the highest earnings in the opening weekend of 2023, with a total of $162 million at the box office. This accomplishment surpassed the previous record set by the Super Mario Bros. Movie, which had made $146 million during its first three days of release in April.
The story of the movie changed how people think about successful films directed by women. Its opening weekend tally of $162 million propelled it ahead of the competition. The film's surge triumphed over the $153 million debut of "Captain Marvel" in 2019 and "Wonder Woman's" $103 million entrance.
Amidst the success of "Barbie," the box office landscape remains dynamic as the animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," the Jason Statham-led shark sequel "Meg 2: The Trench," and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" competed for dominance. "Meg 2" triumphed over its critical reception, amassing $30 million in its opening weekend, propelled by a 3D release that contributed 22% of its earnings. "Oppenheimer," the J. Robert Oppenheimer biopic starring Cillian Murphy, continued its triumphant march, amassing $28.7 million in its third weekend, solidifying its position as the highest grossing R-rated film of the year and the sixth-highest grossing film of 2023.
Amid this dynamic landscape, "Barbie," "Oppenheimer," and the unanticipated success of "Sound of Freedom" have rocked the box office, surpassing expectations and alleviating the impact of certain summer disappointments.
