Barbenheimer Breaks Box Office Records with $22.3 Million in Thursday Night Preview Tickets
Record-Breaking Start for "Barbie"
"Barbenheimer" is off to a red-hot start at the domestic box office, with one-half of the viral internet meme, "Barbie," snaring $22.3 million in Thursday night preview tickets. This is the highest preview ticket sales for any film released so far in 2023, beating Sony's "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" which made $17.4 million in its bow. Warner Bros.' "Barbie" is now expected to capture upwards of $140 million over its first three days in theaters.
Strong Projections for "Oppenheimer"
Meanwhile, Universal's "Oppenheimer" is also creating buzz in the box office. Although Thursday night numbers for "Oppenheimer" weren't immediately available, it is projected to snare between $40 million and $60 million. This means that the combined box office earnings of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" could reach $200 million over their opening weekend.
A Strong Boost for the Domestic Box Office
This positive performance by both films comes as a much-needed boost for the domestic box office. Recent big-budget releases like "The Flash" and "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" had fallen short of expectations. However, with the success of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," along with the ongoing ticket sales of "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and "Sound of Freedom," this could potentially be the highest-grossing weekend of the year so far.
Strong Demand and Additional Shows
Major movie chains have reported strong ticket sales for both films this weekend, leading to the addition of extra shows to accommodate the high demand. Around 40,000 members of the AMC Theatre loyalty program have already purchased tickets to see both "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" on the same day. The National Association of Theatre owners also predicts that more than 200,000 moviegoers will attend same-day viewings of these two films.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
A Hot Take: Implications for New Businesses
The staggering success of "Barbenheimer" and the buzz surrounding "Oppenheimer" at the box office have significant implications for new businesses, particularly those in the entertainment industry. Here's a hot take on how this topic may impact new ventures:
1. Increased Market Interest: The massive opening weekend numbers for "Barbenheimer" and the projected strong performance of "Oppenheimer" indicate a high level of market interest in innovative and captivating content. This presents an opportunity for new businesses to capitalize on the public's appetite for fresh and engaging entertainment experiences.
2. Potential for Partnerships: The success of these films demonstrates the power of collaboration and strategic partnerships. New businesses in the entertainment industry should explore opportunities for collaboration with established studios or influential creators. Joint ventures could help drive visibility and increase the chances of success in a highly competitive market.
3. Audience-Centric Approach: The strong demand and additional shows added to accommodate the high interest in these films highlight the importance of an audience-centric approach. New businesses should prioritize understanding their target audience and tailoring their offerings to meet their preferences and expectations. By focusing on delivering value and memorable experiences, new ventures can attract and retain a loyal customer base.
4. Emerging Marketing Channels: The box office success of "Barbenheimer" and "Oppenheimer" also suggests the need for new businesses to explore emerging marketing channels. As social media and online platforms continue to reshape the entertainment landscape, leveraging these channels effectively can help generate buzz, reach a wider audience, and ultimately drive success.
Overall, the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon offers valuable lessons for new businesses venturing into the entertainment industry. By staying attuned to market trends, fostering strategic partnerships, prioritizing audience satisfaction, and embracing innovative marketing strategies, new ventures can have a better chance of achieving success in this highly dynamic and competitive space.
Article First Published at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/21/barbenheimer-box-office-thursday-ticket-sales.html
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