Sorry, Tom Cruise. Memes are saving cinema.
As the premiere date of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer draws nearer, one thing is clear: people aren’t messing around about Barbenheimer (also known as Boppenheimer). That’s right, after months of jokes(opens in a new tab) on Twitter about the polar opposite films premiering on July 21, fans are actually following through on the meme and buying tickets for a double feature. As of July 10, Variety(opens in a new tab) reports that 20,000 AMC Theaters Stubs members have purchased tickets to see Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day.
Barbenheimer is a five hour commitment to the bit and testament to the cultural impact of memes. And the dedication to these films doesn’t end with just seeing the movies. Online, a divisive debate swirls over what order to see the films, what to consume in between screenings, and what to wear for the occasion. Do you start with a delicious and satisfying dessert (Barbie) or a hearty meal and cigarette (Oppenheimer)? Some have planned out a whole day. For example, @ULTRAGLOSS(opens in a new tab) wrote, “the schedule needs to be black coffee and a cigarette, Oppenheimer around 11 (its 3 hours), mimosas and brunch, Barbie around 6/7, drinks, dinner, club.”
Do you wear a Oppenheimer x Barbie outfit or break for a costume change? Multi-hyphenate Jaboukie Young-White shared an image(opens in a new tab) of his Boppenheimer look with the caption, “have yall started getting your boppenheimer double feature looks together yet… i need to source an authentic 1940s pink fedora”
How to plan your double feature is such a hot topic that stars of both films have weighed in. Barbie‘s Issa Rae suggests(opens in a new tab) seeing Oppenheimer first and cleansing your palate with Barbie while her co-star Kate McKinnon advises for a triple feature with Oppenheimer sandwiched between Barbie viewings.
Even Oppenheimer‘s ever elusive lead, Cillian Murphy, broke his silence on the matter telling La Vangaurdia(opens in a new tab), “I don’t know what the debate is about, although it’s not that I have an overwhelming opinion about it either. My advice would be for people to go see both, on the same day. If they are good films, then that’s cinema’s gain.”
Additionally, Greta Gerwig and Barbie lead Margot Robbie were photographed(opens in a new tab) with their tickets to Oppenheimer.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen people throwing themselves into a meme translate to ticket sales. Last summer Gen Z donned suits to see Minions: The Rise of Gru as part of the ironic “Gentleminions” trend.
With just over a week until blastoff, it’s safe to say this Barbie is seeing Oppenheimer.
