On July 21st, 2023, the future of movie marketing was forever changed.
Two drastically different films were released on the same date. One a fantasy comedy about everyone’s favorite plastic princess, Barbie, and the other a biographical thriller about the man who created the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Despite their contrast in content, both films did astronomically well at the box office. Barbie earned 1.442 billion, whilst Oppenheimer earned 950.7 million. What was behind this success, you may ask?
A successful internet campaign. Memes about the “Barbenheimer double feature” caused millions to flock to theaters to see both films back to back. Both are incredibly well-done and have their merits, but which is the better film according to the general audience?
In a sample size of eleven people, 63.6% preferred Barbie, while 36.4% preferred Oppenheimer. The majority preferred Barbie for its pacing, color scheme, social issues, soundtrack, cinematography, length, and message of coming to understand oneself.
“I felt like Barbie was a celebration of women and women hood, and I also felt like it offered a really honest and fair critique of the patriarchy”, said college student Laura Hernandez- Rosario. She also pointed out the male-centeredness of Oppenheimer, stating that “it centered and glorified a man who created a weapon that did not necessarily improve the world, but worsened it”.
The percentage that enjoyed Oppenheimer greater cited its historical and scientific accuracy, cinematography, score, sound, suspense, and acting.
“Although it was 3 hours long, it (Oppenheimer) flew by due to its captivating nature”, stated senior Kyle Goldstein. “ There was a strong plot that delivered, carrying contrasting themes that were brought out in ways that hit home all the way through. Overall a great work that captures much perspective and sentiment of the time.”
While both films are catered to different demographics, they caused a resurgence to movie theaters worldwide. And now, film fanatics and casual viewers alike are drawn to the theaters to be a part of the event of the next big movie.
