Barbie vs Oppenheimer: Frontrunner emerges in battle for box office supremacy

Hollywood feels more like the centre of the universe than ever this week as the arrival of the two biggest films of the year coincides with a historic actors’ strike.

Anticipation for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has reached a fever pitch ahead of their release in unison on 21 July.

While Oppenheimer’s critical ratings have blown past Barbie with a near-perfect Rotten Tomato score, it’s expected that the latter will, in fact, take over the former in ticket sales.

Barbie is estimated to earn $110m at the US box office during opening weekend, while Oppenheimer is set to take in $50m.

Axios has reported this week that movie theatres in Texas, Washington DC and Atlanta have already sold out of tickets for the Margot Robbie-led feature about the famous toy doll.

Oppenheimer’s London premiere was cut short, however, as the cast left early in preparation for the SAG-AFTRA strike order, which was initiated hours after the event.

The actors’ union joined the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since early May, over demands for increases in base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era, plus assurances that their work will not be replaced by AI.

Key points

• The Independent gives ‘Oppenheimer’ four stars - read the full review

• Read The Independent’s five-star review of Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie'

• Ted Cruz calls Barbie movie ‘Chinese communist propaganda’ even though he hasn’t seen it

• Matt Damon promised wife he’d take a break from acting unless ‘Chris Nolan called’

Vue CEO says 22 per cent of people who booked tickets to ‘Oppenheimer’ also booked tickets for ‘Barbie’

04:00 , Inga Parkel

In a statement sent to The Independent, Tim Richards, founder and CEO of Vue International said: “We’re seeing incredible demand in the UK for both Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, part of this summer’s wave of blockbusters, and 22 per cent of people who booked tickets to Oppenheimer also booked tickets for Barbie.

“Barbie pre-sales to date are higher than any other blockbuster released this year and we expect this strong demand to continue, putting Barbie on track to become the biggest movie of 2023 in the UK so far.”

Vue added that any Barbie fans who bring a real-life Ken along with them to the cinema chain during the Barbie opening weekend (21 – 23 July) will receive either a free regular Tango Ice Blast or popcorn.

Barbie expected to blow roof off box office, with Oppenheimer trailing behind

03:30 , Inga Parkel

Barbie’s finally here, and with all the buzz leading up to its debut, the box office estimates are all over the place.

It’s expected to make between $95m (£72m) to $110m (£84m) from its opening weekend in 4,200 North American theatres, according to Variety.

However, Warner Bros is playing it safe and estimating a $75m (£57m) start. Meanwhile, there are some estimates out there that are projecting it could make as much as $140m (£107m).

Although, whatever its weekend takings are, they’re still expected to be higher than Oppenheimer’s, which is hoping to earn $50m (£38m) from its opening weekend in 3,600 cinemas.

WATCH: Oppenheimer trailer

03:00 , Inga Parkel

What’s your favourite song from the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack?

02:30 , Inga Parkel

Barbie is the movie that just keeps on giving. Not only has the film brought the nostalgia of the popular Mattel doll to life, but it’s also arrived with an all-star soundtrack, featuring some of the biggest current names in music including Dua Lipa, Ice Spice and Haim.

My personal favourite is its lead single “Dance the Night Away”. What’s yours?

1. “Pink” – Lizzo

2. “Dance the Night” – Dua Lipa

3. “Barbie World” – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua

4. “Speed Drive” – Charli XCX

5. “Watati” – Karol G feat Aldo Ranks

6. “Man I Am” – Sam Smith

7. “Journey to the Real World” – Tame Impala

8. “I’m Just Ken” – Ryan Gosling

9. “Hey Blondie” – Dominic Fike

10. “Home” – Haim

11. “What Was I Made For?” – Billie Eilish

12. “Forever & Again” – The Kid Laroi

13. “Silver Platter” – Khalid

14. “Angel” – PinkPantheress

15. “Butterflies” – Gayle

16. “Choose Your Fighter” – Ava Max

17. “Barbie Dreams” – Fifty Fifty feat Kaliii

Should you see Barbie or Oppenheimer first?

02:00 , Inga Parkel

Now that Barbenheimer is officially upon us, have you purchased your tickets? If you haven’t and are still debating whether you should see Barbie or Oppenheimer first, here are a few things to consider.

Barbie’s runtime is 1 hour 54 minutes, and Oppenheimer is a whopping 3 hours. I’m not sure about your theatres, but I had a difficult time finding a place that offered a long enough time gap in between if I were to begin with Oppenheimer.

So, I opted for Barbie first, that way I would only have to sit around the cinema for an hour tops, before finishing with Christopher Nolan’s drama.

Although, if time is not an issue, I’ve heard a lot of people argue for why you should see Oppenheimer first – so you can end your day on a happy note with Barbie.

Oppenheimer branded ‘most important film of this century’ by Taxi Driver’s Paul Schrader

01:30 , Inga Parkel

Writer and filmmaker Paul Schrader has described Oppenheimer as the “best” and “most important film of this century”.

Read more:

Oppenheimer branded ‘most important film of this century’ by Paul Schrader

‘I’m not a Nolan groupie but this one blows the door off the hinges,’ said the Oscar-nominated filmmaker

Is ‘Barbie’ child-friendly?

01:00 , Inga Parkel

While it’d be easy to assume that Barbie is intended for children, considering its source material, some parents may need some more information about its PG-13 rating (equivalent to a 12A rating in the UK).

A PG-13 rating is generally given to titles that the Motion Pictures Association (MPA) feels include “some material that may be inappropriate for children under 13”.

Barbie was granted this rating for “suggestive references and brief language”.

Find out more about how appropriate the film is for children here:

Is the PG-13-rated Barbie movie child-friendly? Here’s what to know beforehand

Films rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association contain ‘some material that may be inappropriate for children under 13’

More F1 Barbie promo!

00:30 , Inga Parkel

This ironically feels like a backhanded compliment promo: using Barbie marketing to instead promote the forthcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.

Formula 1 stars Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez spoof iconic Barbie line

00:00 , Inga Parkel

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’ even though he hasn’t seen it

23:30 , Inga Parkel

Ted Cruz once again accused the upcoming Barbie movie of pushing “Chinese communist propaganda” – even though he hasn’t seen it.

For weeks, the Texas senator has zeroed in on a scene from a trailer showing a world map of a contested area in the South China Sea.

Read more:

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz’s wife also voiced concerns about the film

‘Oppenheimer’ blasts past ‘Barbie’ on Rotten Tomatoes

23:00 , Inga Parkel

Barbie debuted on Rotten Tomatoes yesterday (18 July) with an impressive critics’ score of 90 per cent.

However, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has taken the cherry with a near-perfect score of 94 per cent at the time of writing.

Read more:

Oppenheimer blows past Barbie with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

‘Barbie’ debuted with impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 89 per cent

Barbie review: A near-miraculous achievement from Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie

22:30 , Inga Parkel

IYMI:” “While it’s impossible for any studio film to be truly subversive, this Mattel-approved comedy gets away with far more than you’d think was possible,” writes The Independent’s Clarrise Loughrey.

Read full review here:

Barbie is a near-miraculous achievement – review

While it’s impossible for any studio film to be truly subversive, this Mattel-approved comedy gets away with far more than you’d think was possible

‘Oppenheimer' review: Clever, imaginative and Christopher Nolan at his best

22:00 , Inga Parkel

IYMI: “Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan’s best and most revealing work. It’s a profoundly unnerving story told with a traditionalist’s eye towards craftsmanship and muscular, cinematic imagination.”

Read The Independent’s four-star review here:

Oppenheimer is clever, imaginative and Christopher Nolan at his best – review

Cillian Murphy allows the light to dim from his eyes in every subsequent scene, but it is Robert Downey Jr who is titanic here

21:30 , Inga Parkel

When Barbie is released in cinemas tomorrow, eagle-eyed Love Island fans might notice a blink-and-you’d-miss-it cameo from one unexpected face.

Chris Taylor, who appeared on the dating show in 2019, has a one-line role in the new film – and it’s all thanks to Margot Robbie.

Tom Murray reports:

Love Island star landed role in Barbie movie thanks to superfan Margot Robbie

Australian actor is a self-confessed ‘Love Island’ fanatic

Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far

21:00 , Inga Parkel

Margot Robbie has been delivering some memorable fashion moments throughout the press tour for the highly-anticipated Barbie film, and the looks just keep coming.

Find the looks here:

Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far

The actor has kicked off the ‘Barbie’ press tour in plastic fantastic style

Are rumours correct? Has Oppenheimer been banned in Japan?

20:30 , Inga Parkel

As the release date for Christopher Nolan’s new epic Oppenheimer approaches, rumours have begun circulating that the film is banned in Japan.

Oppenheimer follows the life of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer who developed the first nuclear bomb for the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Nuclear weaponry was, of course, used to reap death and destruction on Japan during the Pacific War in 1945.

The USA detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, killing approximately 200,000 people, most of whom were civilians. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict.

Oppenheimer does not yet have a theatrical release date for Japan, leading some to speculate that the film has been banned in that territory.

However, this theory has been debunked.

Read more:

Oppenheimer yet to receive theatrical release date in Japan

Film depicts the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed around 200,000 people

Margot Robbie admits to ‘pressure’ concerns over Barbie role

20:00 , Inga Parkel

Before Margot Robbie was cast in the lead role, she was attached as a producer and pitched the film to Warner Bros Pictures, who ultimately acquired it from Sony after some hustling from the Wolf of Wall Street actor.

She told Collider in a new interview: “I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, OK?”

However, Robbie shared her one condition for producing the film before the role of Barbie had been cast.

“I didn’t want whoever our director was going to be – Greta [Gerwig] being the first choice, but if she had said no – I didn’t want our director to feel pressured to put me in the role.:

Read more:

Margot Robbie admits to ‘pressure’ concerns over Barbie role

‘I was just really upfront,’ the ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ actor said

Don’t be late to Oppenheimer 70mm IMAX screenings!

19:30 , Inga Parkel

There’s been a lot of talk about seeing Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX, which refers to viewing screen size. But it’s important to note that you should expect there to be no advertisements or prior trailers before the movie. Therefore, the movie will begin promptly at your listed showtime.

This is apparently due to the size of the film print: 70mm is much larger than the standard size.

19:00 , Inga Parkel

Barbie’s outshining Nicole Kidman’s AMC ad, oh no...

Ryan Gosling concedes to BTS star Jimin: ‘You definitely wore it best’

18:30 , Inga Parkel

The true story behind Christopher Nolan’s biopic about ‘the father of the atomic bomb’

18:00 , Inga Parkel

Ahead of Oppenheimer’s release, Tom Murray investigates the life of the man at the centre of the film.

Robert J Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan’s movie, was an American scientist who played a crucial role in the invention of the atomic bomb.

Read more below...

The horrifying true story behind Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer

Real-life scientist behind the atomic bomb has a complicated legacy in America

Unicorn statues, disco balls and vanity mirrors: Inside the Barbie-inspired dream houses in the UK

17:30 , Inga Parkel

Ever wanted to stay in your own Barbie Dream House? Turns out, there are a plethora of pink properties across the UK that you can rent for the ultimate pastel fix.

Unicorns, disco balls and vanity mirrors: Inside the real-life Barbie dream houses

As Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ movie is about to premiere, we take a closer look inside the pinkest properties

Christopher Nolan on why he cast his daughter as girl who gets blown up in nuclear explosion

17:00 , Inga Parkel

One could imagine that a parent would do anything not to have a visual image of their child in pain.

Yet, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan has made the shocking decision to cast his eldest daughter, 22-year-old Flora, as a burn victim in the film.

Flora plays a nameless young woman whose flesh is flayed from her face in a nuclear explosion, in a sequence that happens within Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) mind.

Of his daughter’s involvement, Nolan said it was “wonderful to just have her sort of roll with it”.

Full story below:

Christopher Nolan on why he cast daughter in Oppenheimer as girl who gets blown up

Flora is credited as ‘Burn Victim’ in the new movie about the making of the atomic bomb

Barbie is expected to blow roof off US box office, with Oppenheimer trailing behind

16:00 , Inga Parkel

While Oppenheimer has already won over the hearts of critics with its near-perfect Rotten Tomato score, it appears Barbie has won the hearts of moviegoers with its expected US box office earnings of $110m (£84m) during opening weekend.

The latter’s distributor, Warner Bros, however, is estimating a more conservative figure of $75m (£58m) box office start.

Oppenheimer’s opening weekend ticket sales, on the other hand, is set to earn a modest $50m (£38m).

Is ‘Barbie’ child-friendly?

15:30 , Inga Parkel

While it’d be easy to assume that Barbie is intended for children, considering its source material, some parents may need some more information about its PG-13 rating (equivalent to a 12A rating in the UK).

A PG-13 rating is generally given to titles that the Motion Pictures Association (MPA) feels include “some material that may be inappropriate for children under 13”.

Barbie was granted this rating for “suggestive references and brief language”.

Find out more about how appropriate the film is for children here:

Is the PG-13-rated Barbie movie child-friendly? Here’s what to know beforehand

Films rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association contain ‘some material that may be inappropriate for children under 13’

Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy reacts to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel update

15:00 , Inga Parkel

Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy has reacted to the news that a new 28 Days Later sequel appears to be happening.

In June, the film’s director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland revealed plans to make a follow-up to their hit 2000 horror film 28 Days Later, in which Murphy played the lead role of Jim.

During a conversation with The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy, the actor said news of the sequel was “great to hear”, and responded to a question of whether he’d like to be involved.

Full story below:

Cillian Murphy addresses Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel update

‘I didn’t know that,’ the ‘Oppenheimer’ star said

Margot Robbie, an Australian, briefly forgets what ‘barbie’ means in Australia

14:30 , Inga Parkel

Oops, it looks like Margot Robbie has spent too much time away from her native Australia.

During an appearance on Australian network Channel 10’s The Project talk show, co-host Sam Taunton mentioned to Greta Gerwig that the word “barbie” does not refer to the iconic doll in the country.

He said: “It means so much to so many people. I’m not sure if Margot told you, but the word ‘barbie’ means something else in Australia. Did you brief Greta about it?”

But Robbie, who was born in the rural town of Dalby in Queensland, Australia, appeared confused and asked: “What does it mean here?”

Read more:

Margot Robbie, an Australian, briefly forgets what ‘barbie’ means in Australia

The ‘Barbie’ star appeared embarrassed by her blunder

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’ even though he hasn’t seen it

11:20 , Isobel Lewis

He might not have seen Barbie, but Ted Cruz won’t stop talking about the film and branding it “propaganda”.

Kelly Rissman reports:

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’

Unicorn statues, disco balls and vanity mirrors: Inside the Barbie-inspired dream houses in the UK

10:58 , Isobel Lewis

Ever wanted to stay in your own Barbie Dream House? Turns out, there are a plethora of pink properties across the UK that you can rent for the ultimate pastel fix.

Unicorns, disco balls and vanity mirrors: Inside the real-life Barbie dream houses

The true story behind Christopher Nolan’s biopic about ‘the father of the atomic bomb’

10:28 , Isobel Lewis

Ahead of Oppenheimer’s release, Tom Murray has investigate the life of the man at the centre of the film.

Robert J Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan’s movie, was an American scientist who played a crucial role in the invention of the atomic bomb.

Read more below...

The horrifying true story behind Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer

Google features all-pink Barbie Easter egg for film’s release

09:48 , Isobel Lewis

Just as it begins to feel like the whole world has been Barbie-fied, Google has now been taken over with all things pink.

Typing “Barbie”, “Margot Robbie”, “Ryan Gosling” or “Greta Gerwig” into the search engine will yield a visual feast.

Kate Ng reports:

Google delights fans with sparkly special effect for Barbie movie

Oppenheimer yet to receive theatrical release date in Japan

09:15 , Isobel Lewis

Oppenheimer will be released across the world on Friday (21 July), but there’s still no word as to when the historical epic will arrive in Japan.

Christopher Nolan’s film depicts the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed around 200,000 people.

However, while the film does not currently have a Japan release date, theories the film will not get a release in the country have been debunked.

Tom Murray reports:

Will Oppenheimer be released in Japanese movie theatres?

08:55 , Isobel Lewis

Oppenheimer may be critically acclaimed before it’s even been released, but even directors like Christopher Nolan can make flops too.

The Independent’s Louis Chilton has compiled his list of 13 of the worst films made by excellent directors. And yes, there’s a Nolan film among them...

13 awful movies by great filmmakers, from Steven Spielberg to Christopher Nolan

08:35 , Isobel Lewis

When Barbie is released in cinemas tomorrow, eagle-eyed Love Island fans might notice a blink-and-you’d-miss-it cameo from one unexpected face.

Chris Taylor, who appeared on the dating show in 2019, has a one-line role in the new film – and it’s all thanks to Margot Robbie.

Tom Murray reports:

Love Island star landed role in Barbie movie thanks to superfan Margot Robbie

Barbie: The Album unveils full tracklist

08:17 , Isobel Lewis

As Barbie arrives in cinemas on Friday (21 July), the long-awaited soundtrack will drop too.

While songs from Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice have already been released, fans are eagerly awaiting tracks from the likes of Lizzo and Ava Max.

You can find the full tracklist below:

1. “Pink” – Lizzo

2. “Dance the Night” – Dua Lipa

3. “Barbie World” – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua

4. “Speed Drive” – Charli XCX

5. “Watati” – Karol G feat Aldo Ranks

6. “Man I Am” – Sam Smith

7. “Journey to the Real World” – Tame Impala

8. “I’m Just Ken” – Ryan Gosling

9. “Hey Blondie” – Dominic Fike

10. “Home” – Haim

11. “What Was I Made For?” – Billie Eilish

12. “Forever & Again” – The Kid Laroi

13. “Silver Platter” – Khalid

14. “Angel” – PinkPantheress

15. “Butterflies” – Gayle

16. “Choose Your Fighter” – Ava Max

17. “Barbie Dreams” – Fifty Fifty feat Kaliii

‘Oppenheimer’ blasts past ‘Barbie’ on Rotten Tomatoes

06:39 , Tom Murray

Barbie debuted on Rotten Tomatoes yesterday (18 July) with an impressive critics’ score of 90 per cent.

However, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has taken the cherry with a near-perfect score of 94 per cent at the time of writing.

Read more:

Oppenheimer blows past Barbie with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

‘Oppenheimer' review: Clever, imaginative and Christopher Nolan at his best

05:41 , Tom Murray

“Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan’s best and most revealing work. It’s a profoundly unnerving story told with a traditionalist’s eye towards craftsmanship and muscular, cinematic imagination.”

Read The Independent’s four-star review here:

Oppenheimer is clever, imaginative and Christopher Nolan at his best – review

Christopher Nolan explains why he cast his daughter as girl who gets blown up in nuclear explosion

04:40 , Tom Murray

Speaking in a new interview with The Telegraph, Nolan revealed that when his daughter, Flora, 22, visited the set with his wife, the producer Emma Thomas, it struck him that he could cast her as a nameless young woman whose flesh is flayed from her face in a nuclear explosion, in a sequence that happens within Oppenheimer’s mind.

Flora is credited on IMDb as “Burn Victim” for her work on the film.

Read more:

Christopher Nolan on why he cast daughter in Oppenheimer as girl who gets blown up

How did a former ‘Love Island’ star get a cameo role in ‘Barbie’?

03:42 , Tom Murray

If you know Margot Robbie then you know how much of a fan the Australian actor is of Love Island.

The Barbie star is a self-obsessed fanatic of the ITV dating show – so much so that season five contestant Chris Taylor found his way into her movie.

Taylor confirmed in an interview at the Barbie premiere in London that he has a small, speaking part in the picture.

Love Island star landed role in Barbie movie thanks to superfan Margot Robbie

How long are ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’?

02:43 , Tom Murray

Christopher Nolan isn’t known for quick afternoon flicks and Oppenheimer is no different, clocking in with a runtime of three hours exactly.

Great Gerwig’s Barbie, meanwhile, is a more manageable hour and 54 minutes long.

What’s the true story behind ‘Oppenheimer' and the Manhattan Project?

01:46 , Tom Murray

Wondering how far Nolan’s Oppenheimer strays from reality?

You can read this full rundown of the history behind the atomic bomb and the real J Robert Oppenheimer here:

The horrifying true story behind Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer branded ‘most important film of this century’ by Taxi Driver’s Paul Schrader

01:08 , Tom Murray

Writer and filmmaker Paul Schrader has described Oppenheimer as the “best” and “most important film of this century”.

Oppenheimer branded ‘most important film of this century’ by Paul Schrader

Is ‘Barbie’ child-friendly?

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:10 , Tom Murray

While it’d be easy to assume that Barbie is intended for children, considering its source material, some parents may need some more information about its PG-13 rating (equivalent to a 12A rating in the UK).

A PG-13 rating is generally given to titles that the Motion Pictures Association (MPA) feels include “some material that may be inappropriate for children under 13”.

Barbie was granted this rating for “suggestive references and brief language”.

Find out more about how appropriate the film is for children here:

Is the PG-13-rated Barbie movie child-friendly? Here’s what to know beforehand

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’ even though he hasn’t seen it

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:29 , Tom Murray

Ted Cruz once again accused the upcoming Barbie movie of pushing “Chinese communist propaganda” – even though he hasn’t seen it.

For weeks, the Texas senator has zeroed in on a scene from a trailer showing a world map of a contested area in the South China Sea.

Read more:

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’

Video: Ted Cruz claims Barbie film is Chinese 'communist propaganda'

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:11 , Tom Murray

Will ‘Oppenheimer’ be released in Japan?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 21:39 , Tom Murray

Due to the nature of the themes involved, many people are wondering whether Oppenheimer will be released in Japan.

The film depicts the atomic bombs dropping on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed around 200,000 people.

Some rumours have therefore circulated that the film is band in the territory; however, this has been debunked.

Read more:

Oppenheimer yet to receive theatrical release date in Japan

‘Oppenheimer’ blasts past ‘Barbie' on Rotten Tomatoes

Wednesday 19 July 2023 19:56 , Tom Murray

Barbie debuted on Rotten Tomatoes yesterday (18 July) with an impressive critics’ score of 90 per cent.

However, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has taken the cherry with a near-perfect score of 94 per cent at the time of writing.

Read more:

Oppenheimer blows past Barbie with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

Is your Barbiecore ready for your cinema outing?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 19:30 , Inga Parkel

For the last couple of weeks, the buzz surrounding Greta Gerwig’s new live-action film has transformed the world into “Barbie land”, as fashion fans embrace the film-inspired fads and obsess over Margot Robbie’s odes to vintage Mattel dolls on the red carpet. Between pink gowns, fur trims, polka dots, and kitten heels, Barbie has become the official summer wear trendsetter – and it’s fantastic.

So in case you’re in need of some Barbiecore inspiration, continue reading:

TikTokers are showing off pink outfits they’re going to wear to watch Barbie movie

Fans are desperate to find the perfect pink look to watch the ‘Barbie’ movie in theatres

Margot Robbie, an Australian, briefly forgets what ‘barbie’ means in Australia

Wednesday 19 July 2023 18:30 , Inga Parkel

Oops, it looks like Margot Robbie has spent too much time away from her native Australia.

During an appearance on Australian network Channel 10’s The Project talk show, co-host Sam Taunton mentioned to Greta Gerwig that the word “barbie” does not refer to the iconic doll in the country.

He said: “It means so much to so many people. I’m not sure if Margot told you, but the word ‘barbie’ means something else in Australia. Did you brief Greta about it?”

But Robbie, who was born in the rural town of Dalby in Queensland, Australia, appeared confused and asked: “What does it mean here?”

Read more:

Margot Robbie, an Australian, briefly forgets what ‘barbie’ means in Australia

The ‘Barbie’ star appeared embarrassed by her blunder

‘The “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer" casts not being able to do any more publicity feels like the end of task day on “The Apprentice”’

Wednesday 19 July 2023 18:03 , Tom Murray

‘Oppenheimer’ debuts with 96 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:47 , Tom Murray

Vue CEO says 22 per cent of people who booked tickets to ‘Oppenheimer’ also booked tickets for ‘Barbie’

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:35 , Tom Murray

In a statement sent to The Independent, Tim Richards, founder and CEO of Vue International said: “We’re seeing incredible demand in the UK for both Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, part of this summer’s wave of blockbusters, and 22 per cent of people who booked tickets to Oppenheimer also booked tickets for Barbie.

“Barbie pre-sales to date are higher than any other blockbuster released this year and we expect this strong demand to continue, putting Barbie on track to become the biggest movie of 2023 in the UK so far.”

Vue added that any Barbie fans who bring a real-life Ken along with them to the cinema chain during the Barbie opening weekend (21 – 23 July) will receive either a free regular Tango Ice Blast or popcorn.

Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:30 , Inga Parkel

Margot Robbie has been delivering some memorable fashion moments throughout the press tour for the highly-anticipated Barbie film, and the looks just keep coming.

Find the looks here:

Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far

The actor has kicked off the ‘Barbie’ press tour in plastic fantastic style

The Independent gives ‘Oppenheimer’ four stars

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:17 , Matthew Cooper

In her four-star review, The Independent’s film critic Clarisse Loughrey called Oppenheimer Christopher Nolan’s “best and most revealing work”.

“The film is constructed in a way that allows its audience to comprehend, on an intellectual level, the profound power and chaos that led its central character to see himself as the ‘Death, destroyer of worlds’ of Hindu scripture,” she writes.

However, Loughrey adds that Oppenheimer perhaps fails to burrow deeply “into that profound, emotional space that can be both overwhelming and difficult to verbalise. It’s a little too conscious of itself, and the ways cinema crafts its own reality.”

Read the review in full here:

Oppenheimer is clever, imaginative and Christopher Nolan at his best – review

Should you see Barbie or Oppenheimer first?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:00 , Inga Parkel

Now that Barbenheimer is officially upon us, have you purchased your tickets? If you haven’t and are still debating whether you should see Barbie or Oppenheimer first, here are a few things to consider.

Barbie’s runtime is 1 hour 54 minutes, and Oppenheimer is a whopping 3 hours. I’m not sure about your theatres, but I had a difficult time finding a place that offered a long enough time gap in between if I were to begin with Oppenheimer.

So, I opted for Barbie first, that way I would only have to sit around the cinema for an hour tops, before finishing with Christopher Nolan’s drama.

Although, if time is not an issue, I’ve heard a lot of people argue for why you should see Oppenheimer first – so you can end your day on a happy note with Barbie.

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’ even though he hasn’t seen it

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:30 , Inga Parkel

Ted Cruz once again accused the upcoming Barbie movie of pushing “Chinese communist propaganda” – even though he hasn’t seen it.

For weeks, the Texas senator has zeroed in on a scene from a trailer showing a world map of a contested area in the South China Sea.

Read more:

Ted Cruz keeps attacking the Barbie movie as ‘Chinese communist propaganda’ even though he hasn’t seen it

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz’s wife also voiced concerns about the film

Google’s getting the Barbie treatment

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:30 , Inga Parkel

Try searching “Barbie” on Google, and you’ll get a fun, pink-tastic surprise!

What’s your favourite song from the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:00 , Inga Parkel

Barbie is the movie that just keeps on giving. Not only has the film brought the nostalgia of the popular Mattel doll to life, but it’s also arrived with an all-star soundtrack, featuring some of the biggest current names in music including Dua Lipa, Ice Spice and Haim.

My personal favourite is its lead single “Dance the Night Away”. What’s yours?

Barbie unveils ‘iconic’ movie soundtrack featuring Dua Lipa, Ice Spice and more

‘Barbie: The Album’ is out now

Barbie expected to blow roof off box office, with Oppenheimer trailing behind

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:30 , Inga Parkel

Barbie’s finally here, and with all the buzz leading up to its debut, the box office estimates are all over the place.

It’s expected to make between $95m (£72m) to $110m (£84m) from its opening weekend in 4,200 North American theatres, according to Variety.

However, Warner Bros is playing it safe and estimating a $75m (£57m) start. Meanwhile, there are some estimates out there that are projecting it could make as much as $140m (£107m).

Although, whatever its weekend takings are, they’re still expected to be higher than Oppenheimer’s, which is hoping to earn $50m (£38m) from its opening weekend in 3,600 cinemas.

Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy reacts to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel update

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:00 , Nicole Vassell

Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy has reacted to the news that a new 28 Days Later sequel appears to be happening.

In June, the film’s director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland revealed plans to make a follow-up to their hit 2000 horror film 28 Days Later, in which Murphy played the lead role of Jim.

During a conversation with The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy, the actor said news of the sequel was “great to hear”, and responded to a question of whether he’d like to be involved.

Full story below:

Cillian Murphy addresses Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel update

Barbie movie merchandise: From Barbie dolls to a Zara collaboration

Wednesday 19 July 2023 14:30 , Nicole Vassell

Outside of buying a ticket to watch the movie, there are plenty of ways for us real-life folk to be a part of the Barbie fun.

From branded shoes, t-shirts and, of course, the dolls themselves, here is a guide to the merchandise on-sale to join in the Barbie (and Ken) party.

Barbie movie merchandise: From Barbie dolls to a Zara collaboration

Christopher Nolan on why he cast his daughter as girl who gets blown up in nuclear explosion

Wednesday 19 July 2023 14:00 , Nicole Vassell

One could imagine that a parent would do anything not to have a visual image of their child in pain.

Yet, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan has made the shocking decision to cast his eldest daughter, 22-year-old Flora, as a burn victim in the film.

Flora plays a nameless young woman whose flesh is flayed from her face in a nuclear explosion, in a sequence that happens within Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) mind.

Of his daughter’s involvement, Nolan said it was “wonderful to just have her sort of roll with it”.

Full story below:

Christopher Nolan on why he cast daughter in Oppenheimer as girl who gets blown up

Watch: Oppenheimer trailer

Wednesday 19 July 2023 13:30 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Barbie debuts strong on Rotten Tomatoes with 89 per cent score

Wednesday 19 July 2023 13:16 , Nicole Vassell

Reviews for Barbie are looking immensely positive ahead of its cinematic release on Friday.

In fact, the film has an impressive score of 89 per cent on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes – a significant indicator of critical approval.

Peony Hirwani has the full story below:

Barbie’s impressive Rotten Tomatoes score revealed

Watch: Barbie trailer

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:30 , Peony Hirwani

A new Oppenheimer featurette about Ludwig Göransson’s score has been released

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:00 , Peony Hirwani

Christopher Nolan recalls day when he asked Cillian Murphy to play lead in Oppenheimer

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: The day Christopher Nolan called Cillian Murphy about his new film, Oppenheimer, Murphy hung up the phone in disbelief.

The Irish actor, though a regular presence in Nolan films going back almost two decades, had always been a supporting player. This time, Nolan wanted him to lead.

“He’s so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, ‘Listen, I’ve written this script, it’s about Oppenheimer. I’d like you to be my Oppenheimer,’” Murphy, 46, told The Associated Press earlier this year. “It was a great day.”

Recalling the moment, Murphy replied: “I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if I’m available and you want me to be in a movie, I’m there. I don’t really care about the size of the part. But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him.”

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:00 , Peony Hirwani

Did you know Billie Eilish announced a new song for Barbie movie’s soundtrack?

Read all about it below.

Billie Eilish announces new song for Barbie movie’s ‘iconic’ soundtrack

ICYMI: Barbie premiere: All the best London pink carpet looks from Margot Robbie to Amelia Dimoldenberg

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani

Barbie premiere: All the best pink carpet looks as Margot Robbie film shows in London

The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer’s most online movie showdown

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:00 , Peony Hirwani

The very online showdown between Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” all started with a date: 21 July.

It’s not uncommon for studios to counterprogram films in different genres on a big weekend, but the stark differences between an intense, serious-minded picture about the man who oversaw the development of the atomic bomb and a lighthearted, candy-coloured anthropomorphising of a childhood doll quickly became the stuff of viral fodder.

Read more:

The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer’s most online movie showdown

Barbie review: A near-miraculous achievement from Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:30 , Peony Hirwani

“While it’s impossible for any studio film to be truly subversive, this Mattel-approved comedy gets away with far more than you’d think was possible,” writes The Independent’s Clarrise Loughrey.

Barbie is a near-miraculous achievement – review

Oppenheimer branded ‘most important film of this century’ by Taxi Driver’s Paul Schrader

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:00 , Peony Hirwani

Writer and filmmaker Paul Schrader has described Oppenheimer as the “best” and “most important film of this century”.

Read more:

Oppenheimer branded ‘most important film of this century’ by Paul Schrader

‘Barbie’ debuts strong on Rotten Tomatoes with 89% score

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:30 , Peony Hirwani

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has scored an impressive 89 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film which debuted on the review-aggregation website on Wednesday (19 July) stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken.

Read more:

Barbie’s impressive Rotten Tomatoes score revealed

How is the SAG-AFTRA strike affecting Barbie and Oppenheimer?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:00 , Peony Hirwani

Following its strike announcement, SAG sent a memo to all of its members forbidding them from promoting any forthcoming projects.

This means that publicity events, including interviews, have ground to a halt for the two blockbusters.

“I very much am in support of all the unions and I’m a part of SAG, so I would absolutely stand by them,” Robbie said at Barbie’s London premiere.

Christopher Nolan offered a similar message of support when his cast walked out of the London premiere.

Fortunately, publicity for these films has been so omnipresent that the last few days is likely to have little effect on their box office performance. Worse affected will be films coming in August, which include DC Comics’ Blue Beetle (out 18 August) and Denzel Washington’s Equalizer 3 (1 September).

Read more about how the strikes will affect you here:

Why Hollywood writers and actors are going on strike

ICYMI: Barbie cast turn London Eye pink to celebrate film premiere

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:30 , Peony Hirwani

Barbie cast turn London Eye pink to celebrate film premiere

Greta Gerwig names two A-list cameos she failed to secure for ‘Barbie'

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:54 , Tom Murray

Barbie stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as the main doll and her partner Ken.

Emma Mackey, Issa Rae, and Hari Nef are among the actors playing other Barbies, while Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa and Kingsley Ben-Adir are among the other Kens.

However, in a new interview, Gerwig revealed that two of her previous collaborators, Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet slipped through the net.

Read about what she had to say here:

Barbie director Greta Gerwig names two A-list cameos she failed to secure for film

Barbie movie merchandise: From Barbie dolls to a Zara collaboration

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:30 , Peony Hirwani

Whether you have always loved Barbie dolls or are obsessed with the colour pink, there is something for everyone who wants to be a Barbie girl or channel their ‘kenergy’ this season.

If you’re eager to add some Barbie pink to your wardrobe and home, we’ve got the best Barbiecore has to offer below, ready for you to peruse.

Barbie movie merchandise: From Barbie dolls to a Zara collaboration

What Cillian Murphy has said about the Barbie vs Oppenheimer rivalry

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:56 , Tom Murray

As Barbie and Oppenheimer are released on the same day, much has been made about a supposed rivalry between the two films.

However, cast members on both sides have done their best to quash any rumours of beef.

“I mean, I’ll be going to see Barbie, 100 per cent. I can’t wait to see it,” Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy said in a recent interview.

“I think it’s just great for the industry and for audiences, that we have two amazing films by amazing filmmakers coming out on the same day. You can spend the whole day in the cinema – what’s better than that?”

Read more:

Cillian Murphy weighs in on Barbie vs Oppenheimer rivalry

TikTokers are showing off pink outfits they’re going to wear to watch Barbie movie

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:30 , Peony Hirwani

In preparation for the upcoming premiere on 21 July, eager TikTokers are manifesting the perfect, pink-themed party by crafting “Barbiecore” looks that they plan on wearing in theatres.

While some are opting to thrift or buy new clothes, others are pulling pieces they already own to reimagine themselves as “country Barbie,” “roller skating Barbie,” or “cottage Barbie.”

Read more:

TikTokers are showing off pink outfits they’re going to wear to watch Barbie movie

Cillian Murphy says it ‘took a toll’ playing scientist J Robert Oppenheimer

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:03 , Peony Hirwani

Cillian Murphy said it “took a toll” to play J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s new film about the physicist who co-created the first atomic bomb.

The Irish actor, 47, added that the “moral dilemmas and paradoxes” his character grapples with throughout the film are “huge”.

“It does take a toll, but in a brilliant way, it was the biggest, most exhilarating challenge,” Murphy said, ahead of Oppenheimer’s release.

The film recounts the famous physicists’ fears that tests for the first atomic bomb could have destroyed the planet.

Cillian Murphy says it ‘took a toll’ playing scientist J Robert Oppenheimer

Comment: Most actors are broke – this strike should kill the ‘champagne socialist’ myth dead

Wednesday 19 July 2023 04:55 , Tom Murray

Claire Allfree dives into the actors’ strike in this week’s edition of State of the Arts.

“Creative economies are complex beasts, particularly in the live entertainment sector,” she writes. “Even so, it’s increasingly the case that the stars of the show are rarely the ones reaping the rewards, while the foot soldiers are barely managing to survive.”

Read more:

Most actors are broke – this strike should kill the ‘champagne socialist’ myth dead

Christopher Nolan explains why he cast his daughter as girl who gets blown up in nuclear explosion

Wednesday 19 July 2023 03:51 , Tom Murray

Speaking in a new interview with The Telegraph, Nolan revealed that when his daughter, Flora, 22, visited the set with his wife, the producer Emma Thomas, it struck him that he could cast her as a nameless young woman whose flesh is flayed from her face in a nuclear explosion, in a sequence that happens within Oppenheimer’s mind.

Flora is credited on IMDb as “Burn Victim” for her work on the film.

Read more:

Christopher Nolan on why he cast daughter in Oppenheimer as girl who gets blown up

Watch: Oppenheimer actors walk out of UK premiere as Hollywood stars join strike

Wednesday 19 July 2023 02:59 , Tom Murray

How a former ‘Love Island’ star got a cameo role in ‘Barbie'

Wednesday 19 July 2023 02:02 , Tom Murray

If you know Margot Robbie then you know how much of a fan the Australian actor is of Love Island.

The Barbie star is a self-obsessed fanatic of the ITV dating show – so much so that season five contestant Chris Taylor found his way into her movie.

Taylor confirmed in an interview at the Barbie premiere in London that he has a small, speaking part in the picture.

Read more here:

Love Island star landed role in Barbie movie thanks to superfan Margot Robbie

How long are ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer'?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 01:20 , Tom Murray

Christopher Nolan isn’t known for quick afternoon flicks and Oppenheimer is no different, clocking in with a runtime of three hours exactly.

Great Gerwig’s Barbie, meanwhile, is a more manageable hour and 54 minutes long.

Oppenheimer to feature ‘prolonged full nudity’ by Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy

Tuesday 18 July 2023 23:19 , Tom Murray

Oppenheimer features a significant subplot involving the nuclear scientist’s relationship with psychiatrist and physician Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh.

In a recent report, it was claimed that the film’s lead Cillian Murphy and Pugh have scenes of “prolonged full nudity” together, and that it makes Oppenheimer one of Nolan’s rare films to include a significant interest in sex and relationships.

Fans theorised that Nolan would venture into this territory in June, when it was revealed that Oppenheimer had received the filmmaker’s first “R” rating in the US since his 2002 film Insomnia.

Read more:

Oppenheimer to feature ‘prolonged nudity’ by Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy

Watch: Margot Robbie says it took just one question to get John Cena in the Barbie movie

Tuesday 18 July 2023 22:11 , Tom Murray