Box Office:Barbie vs Oppenheimer

Warner Bros has officially announced that Barbie achieved outstanding preview earnings, grossing an impressive $22.3 million, surpassing the previous record held by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which earned $17.5 million. This success comes as a notable triumph for Warner Bros, especially after facing challenges with the release of The Flash last month.

Conversely, Universal has reported that Oppenheimer earned a respectable $10.5 million from 3,150 theaters during its previews.

Barbie's remarkable earnings include $1.1 million from Wednesday previews at 500 locations. Even if we were to exclude this amount, the $21.2 million earned on Thursday still stands as the highest preview gross of 2023. Notably, the Thursday previews were screened at 3,400 locations, indicating a wide and successful distribution strategy.

Regarding Oppenheimer, its preview gross aligns with other successful superhero films and blockbusters, such as It Chapter Two, which had a substantial $91 million opening weekend. However, it's essential to acknowledge that the film's preview success does not guarantee it will surpass the aforementioned threshold, as current comparisons suggest parallels to movies like John Wick: Chapter Four. Interestingly, despite being an adult drama, Oppenheimer saw a significant turnout from the 18-34 age group, comprising 66% of the audience.

Overall, both Barbie and Oppenheimer's preview performances demonstrate promising potential for their respective studios in the highly competitive film industry.Last week's box office champion, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, continues to impress with an estimated $99.2 million accumulated from 4,327 theaters over the course of nine days. While it maintains some premium large-format screens, it has gracefully made way for Oppenheimer to occupy IMAX screens for the next three weeks.

The film's international performance will play a vital role as it carries a substantial budget comparable to that of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The stakes are high for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and its success on the global stage will be crucial in determining its overall profitability. With its strong domestic showing and strategic decision to share IMAX screens with Oppenheimer, the film's prospects look promising as it aims to capture audiences both at home and abroad.