LOS ANGELES — Movie theaters are anticipating a brisk business this weekend with the opening of the pinktastic “Barbie” and occasionally black-and-white atomic bomb drama, “Oppenheimer.” Together, the two films are expected to bring in more than $150 million in North American ticket sales between Friday and Sunday.
“Barbie,” which stars Margot Robbie as Mattel’s revered and reviled doll in the PG-13 comedy, is projected to generate $100 million over the weekend. The R-rated “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy, is likely to net half as much.
The National Association of Theatre Owners projects more than 200,000 moviegoers in North America will see “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” on the same day. More than 40,000 people have already bought tickets for a same-day “Barbenheimer” double bill at AMC Theatres alone.