While Hollywood studios went to a standstill with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the theatrical side of the business exploded, with Barbenheimer. Margot Robbie’s Barbie and Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer made a historical moment by blowing the box office despite being released on the same day.
While Greta Gerwig’s Barbie toppled Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in the global box office run, the historical epic featuring Cillian Murphy appears to be now winning differently. Despite failing to outperform Barbie, Oppenheimer is now defeating the movie with its VOD sales.
Barbie Toppled Oppenheimer at The Global Box Office
Christopher Nolan has often worked with Warner Bros following their association during The Dark Knight trilogy. However, after the release of Tenet, the acclaimed filmmaker felt that he was betrayed by the studio and therefore cut all ties with them. Further, he went ahead with Universal Studios to produce his 2023 summer blockbuster, Oppenheimer.
As a result, Warner Bros took things personally and came up with Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Seeking a sort of revenge on Christopher Nolan, Warner Bros released Barbie on the same day as Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Waging a box office war, Barbie won over Oppenheimer.
Warner Bros.’ Barbie made a domestic opening of $155M, with $182M abroad, while Universal’s Oppenheimer did $80.5M domestic and another $93.7M abroad. Further, after months of running in theatres, Margot Robbie’s film grossed $1.4B worldwide, while Cillian Murphy’s historical epic made $950M worldwide.
Cillian Murphy Defeats Margot Robbie In VOD Sales
However, now the tables appear to have turned in favor of Cillian Murphy‘s Oppenheimer, as the historical epic proceeds to defeat Margot Robbie’s Barbie in a different battle, ahead of the Oscars. According to reports shared by Deadline, Murphy’s film beats Barbie in weekend premiere VOD viewership.
According to reports, although Barbie defeated her late-summer rival Oppenheimer, at the box office, the father of the atomic bomb wins in a face-off in homes. Universal title on VOD drew 388K, while Warner Bros’ movie pulled 363K on its opening weekend on VOD. This major disparity in VOD sales between Barbie and Oppenheimer appears to have originated due to demography.
As per reports, more people with purchasing capabilities are opting for Cillian Murphy’s movie over Margot Robbie‘s Box Office winner. It has been claimed that Barbie won the box office run, since youngsters filled the theatres, while Oppenheimer is winning the VOD sales since mature audiences with purchasing power are investing in the historical epic.
