At the beginning of 2023, if someone had claimed that Oppenheimer and Barbie would become two of the most anticipated movies in India, few would have believed it. However, Indian viewers are now eagerly awaiting the release of Barbenheimer, both scheduled to hit theatres on its opening day, i.e. July 21.
The excitement is palpable, with advance bookings for the opening day in the top three national chains surpassing all expectations. A staggering three lakh tickets have been sold for both movies combined, indicating a potential box office collection of ₹15 to 20 crores nett, mainly driven by audiences in metro cities.
For the opening day, Oppenheimer has managed to sell over two lakh tickets, while Barbie closely follows with over 80 thousand tickets sold in the top three national chains, as per Pinkvilla’s report. Renowned screenwriter Paul Schrader has openly expressed his admiration for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, comparing it to his own iconic works like “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull.” He hails it as the “most important film of this century” and encourages viewers to witness Oppenheimer’s brilliance on the big screen.
Meanwhile, across the Pacific, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is projected to outshine Oppenheimer in the US box office race, boasting a star-studded cast including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The film is expected to make a dazzling $110 million debut, with industry analysts even predicting it could reach as high as $140 million. Warner Bros, the distributor of “Barbie,” takes a more cautious approach, anticipating a $75 million opening in the US market.
Interestingly, while Barbie dominates the US box office, Oppenheimer’s appeal in India is soaring, likely due to Christopher Nolan’s esteemed reputation as one of the finest filmmakers of his generation. Many are even hailing Oppenheimer as Nolan’s best work to date.
On the other hand, Barbie, directed by the talented Greta Gerwig, known for outstanding films like Lady Bird and Little Women, presents a seemingly childlike presentation that delves into more profound and mature themes beneath the surface.