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“Barbie” Takes the Box Office by Storm: A Resounding Success in Its Second Weekend

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In a world where cinematic triumphs often make headlines, “Barbie” is undoubtedly the reigning star, continuing its mesmerizing reign at the box office during its second weekend. Alongside the powerful “Oppenheimer,” these two Hollywood gems have proven their mettle, providing a much-needed boost to the delicate exhibition industry, currently threatened by challenges on multiple fronts.

Greta Gerwig’s enchanting cotton candy-colored fantasy comedy, “Barbie,” once again took center stage, captivating audiences and amassing a jaw-dropping $93 million over the weekend. Impressively, ticket sales declined by a mere 43% from its stellar debut, marking one of the most exceptional sophomore outings in box office history. The only films to surpass “Barbie’s” second weekend record were blockbuster behemoths like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Infinity War,” “Black Panther,” “Jurassic World,” and “The Avengers.”

Christopher Nolan’s dark and riveting historical drama, “Oppenheimer,” was no less victorious, securing a remarkable $46.6 million in its second weekend. A noteworthy achievement for the R-rated film came as it became the first to gross over $10 million for seven consecutive days, extending the streak to ten days by the weekend.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior Comscore analyst, aptly summed up the overwhelming success of both films, affirming that their incredible second weekend performances were not a mere fluke but a testament to the undeniable interest and adoration they have garnered from audiences.

With two weeks of cinematic glory, “Barbie” has amassed an impressive $351.4 million in North America alone, ranking as the fourth-highest domestic release of the year. Globally, this Warner Bros. masterpiece has reached the astonishing milestone of $774 million, securing its place as the third-largest film of the year.

“Oppenheimer” has also been on an illustrious journey, raking in $174 million at the domestic box office and a staggering $400 million worldwide. Eclipsing the lifetime grosses of Nolan’s previous works, “Tenet” and “Batman Begins,” the film has proven to be an undeniable force at the box office.

While “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” continue to shine, two new contenders, Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” remake and A24’s intense thriller “Talk to Me,” aimed to seize the spotlight in their wake. Despite mixed results, their valiant efforts serve as a testament to the allure of cinema, especially in a world captivated by the “Barbenheimer” magic.

Disney’s “Haunted Mansion,” though debuting in third place with $24.6 million domestically and an additional $9.1 million internationally, faces challenges in reaching profitability, given its kid-centric theme and a rather unusual release timing in July. Conversely, “Talk to Me,” the feature debut of Australian YouTube stars Danny and Michael Philippou, proved to be a pleasant surprise, earning a commendable $10 million domestically, surpassing expectations, and showcasing the continuous appeal of the horror genre.

As the cinematic landscape navigates its way through challenges, “Sound of Freedom,” an independent thriller shedding light on child sex trafficking, deserves recognition for its enduring success. Earning $13.6 million during its fifth weekend and achieving a total of $150 million, the film has outperformed several big-budget tentpoles, making a significant impact on audiences.

Amidst the successes and challenges, the month of July showed a glimmer of hope, surpassing expectations and catching up to its pre-pandemic average, largely thanks to the powerhouse performances of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” While the year’s box office remains down roughly 20%, these cinematic juggernauts have proven that the allure of moviegoing and the magic of storytelling can still captivate hearts worldwide.

Check out the Barbie Movie Trailer!

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