Barbie vs Oppenheimer: Both movies smash expectations as box office frontrunner emerges

Cinemas around the world are busier than ever thanks to the arrival of two films that have rapidly become blockbusters.

Excitement for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has been in overdrive in the run-up to their simultaneous releases, which have finally arrived.

While Oppenheimer’s critical ratings have blown past Barbie with a near-perfect Rotten Tomato score, the latter, which stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is now expected to double the Cillian Murphy-starring biopic’s box office takings.

However, both releases have shot past their expectations in a huge way, perhaps proving that audiences are tired of sequels and superhero films.

Barbie was estimated to earn $110m at the US box office during opening weekend, with Oppenheimer‘s total projected to sit around $50m. Impressively, Barbie is now on track to take $150m, with Nolan’s drama set to amass $75m. Internationally, Barbie’s takings will see it have the second biggest debut ever.

One place audiences are unable to watch the film is Vietnam, where it was banned – and it has now been delayed in Pakistan Punjab province over “objectionable content”. According to The Guardian, Barbie is being reviewed due to concerns over scenes that might violate the country’s social, cultural and religious values.

Meanwhile, speaking in a new interview with The Independent, Nolan described Oppenheimer as “the biggest film I’ve made”. Murphy admitted to struggling to watch the film due to seeing his face projected on the screen, but acknowleged that the film is “designed” to be “watched with an audience”.

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.

Key points

• ‘Life in plastic, it’s fantastic!’: Barbie gets five stars from The Independent

• Read The Independent’s four-star review of Oppenheimer

• Is Barbie child-friendly?

• The horrifying true story behind Oppenheimer

• Oppenheimer star Matt Damon says kissing We Bought a Zoo co-star Scarlett Johansson was ‘hell’

The story behind Greta Gerwig’s doomed How I Met Your Mother spin-off

12:00 , Peony Hirwani

Before Greta Gerwig rose to greater acclaim as a director, she acted in projects including Noah Baumbach’s comedy-drama Greenberg in 2010, and in the title role of his 2013 film Frances Ha, which she co-wrote.

Off the back of these critical hits, Gerwig was cast in a spinoff of the hit comedy series How I Met Your Mother, which intended to follow a woman named Sophie (Gerwig) as she recounts the story of how she met her son’s dad.

Sadly, the project was doomed to fail, with Gerwig’s pilot sadly never manifesting into a full series order.

Read more:

The story behind Greta Gerwig’s doomed How I Met Your Mother spin-off

Mattel accused of ‘stealth marketing’ after giving away free Barbie dolls in schools

11:30 , Peony Hirwani

Mattel has sparked criticism for “stealth marketing” to children after a new programme gave away free Barbie dolls in schools, a move that health experts are claiming reinforces damaging gender stereotypes.

The toy manufacturer launched the “Barbie School of Friendship” programme this year, in which free Barbie dolls were given to an estimated 150,000 students in 700 schools across the UK to teach social skills.

Read more:

Mattel accused of ‘stealth marketing’ after giving away free Barbie dolls in schools

Too gay, too weird, too pregnant: The most controversial Barbie dolls in history

11:00 , Peony Hirwani

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie features cameos from a host of surreal dolls quietly discontinued by Mattel – among them a pregnant plastic woman and Rob Brydon’s ‘Sugar Daddy Ken’. Believe it or not, all of them are ripped from reality, writes Ellie Muir.

Too gay, too weird, too pregnant: The most controversial Barbie dolls in history

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

10:30 , 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 Clarisse Loughrey.

Barbie is a near-miraculous achievement – movie review

The true story of the complex female figures behind J R Oppenheimer

10:00 , Peony Hirwani

In Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s new film about the inventor of the atomic bomb, Florence Pugh is the messy mistress Jean Tatlock, Emily Blunt the alcoholic wife. The Independent’s Annabel Nugent talks to historians and discovers the women’s true story to be worthy of a three-hour film of its own.

The true story of the brilliant, complicated female figures behind Oppenheimer

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

09:30 , Peony Hirwani

With the two films out in the same week, many people have committed to seeing them one after the other, as part of a self-curated double bill.

The radically different tones of the two films has, however, provoked some debate regarding the optimal order in which to view the films.

Louis Chilton writes.

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

Mission: Impossible struggles at box office against record-breaking might of Barbenheimer

09:15 , Peony Hirwani

Tom Cruise seems to be facing his very own Mission: Impossible as the latest movie in the action franchise, Dead Reckoning, continues to struggle at the box office against the dual releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer.

In its second weekend, Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One fell by 64 per cent to $19.5m (£15m) when going up against Barbie and Oppenheimer.

Read more:

Mission: Impossible struggles at box office against record-breaking Barbenheimer

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

09:00 , Peony Hirwani

“Cillian Murphy allows the light to dim from his eyes in every subsequent scene, but it is Robert Downey Jr who is titanic here,” writes The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey.

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

Greta Gerwig makes domestic box office history with biggest opening for a female director

08:31 , Peony Hirwani

Barbie director Greta Gerwig has made box office history by breaking the opening weekend record for a female director, solo or otherwise.

Gerwig’s movie opened to an estimated $155m at the North American box office and a whopping $337m at the global box office over the 21-23 July weekend.

The film easily surpassed the $103.3m domestic opening of Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman and $153m opening of 2019 Captain Marvel.

‘Barbie’ release delay in Pakistan province faces severe criticism

08:30 , Peony Hirwani

The release of Greta Gerwig’s much-anticipated film Barbie has reportedly been delayed in a province in Pakistan and the move has come under harsh criticism from the country’s social media users.

Read more:

‘Barbie’ release delay in Pakistan province faces severe online criticism

Margot Robbie cast Rob Brydon ‘as a priority’ in Barbie

08:00 , Peony Hirwani

One particular Barbie cameo that is particularly surprising for cinemagoers in the UK is Rob Brydon – and it turns out Margot Robbie was instrumental in ensuring the Welsh actor appeared in the film.

Read more:

Margot Robbie cast Rob Brydon ‘as a priority’ in Barbie

Watch: Cinemagoers flock to see ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’

07:00 , Peony Hirwani

Christopher Nolan says Oppenheimer is ‘the biggest film I’ve ever made’

06:30 , Peony Hirwani

The Independent sat down with both Nolan and Cillan Murphy to discuss Oppenheimer.

During the chat, Nolan discussed his new film as well as his directing future while Murphy admitted: “I love watching Christopher Nolan’s films when I’m not in them.

Read the full interview here.

Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy on Oppenheimer: ‘There’s nothing bigger’

Rishi Sunak has seen ‘Barbie’

06:00 , Peony Hirwani

Getting in on Barbenheimer this weekend was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who wrote: “The family vote was only ever going one way… Barbie first it is #Barbenheimer.”

Although it seems if he was planning on double billing with Oppenheimer, which has a 15 age certificate, he would have had to send his nine and 11year-old daughters home first.

Barbie release delayed in Pakistan over ‘objectionable content’

05:30 , Peony Hirwani

The release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was delayed in Pakistan’s Punjab province over “objectionable content”.

Officials said the film would be reviewed and need clearance from the provincial boards that censor scenes violating the country’s social, cultural, and religious values.

“There will be a full review of the film, and it will be censored where deemed necessary,” Farrukh Mahmood, secretary of the Punjab Film Censor Board, told AFP.

The board did not clarify which content was “objectionable,” or why.

Barbie and Oppenheimer beat global box office records

05:00 , Peony Hirwani

Warner Bros’ Barbie and Universal’s Oppenheimer have delivered massive global debuts of $337m and $174.2m, respectively.

At the international box office, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, collected $182m from 69 markets.

On the other hand, Christopher Nolan’s Cillian Murphy-led Oppenheimer in 78 markets earned a whopping $93.7m overseas.

Speaking of the result, Andrew Cripps, Warner Bros president of international theatrical distribution, told Deadline: “The incredible worldwide results we’ve seen are a testament to the filmmakers’ singular vision to provide a fun and engaging experience that audiences of all ages are responding to in a fun and powerful way.”

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of distribution for Universal Pictures International, added: “We couldn’t be happier for Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, the phenomenal cast and crew, and our partners at Imax and exhibition around the world.”

‘Barbenheimer’ leads box office with $235m opening in North America

04:33 , Peony Hirwani

The films Barbie and Oppenheimer attracted cinemagoers in record numbers for their opening weekend in North America, earning a combined sum of $235.5m.

Warner Bros’ Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, generated $155m in ticket sales while Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer bagged $80.5m.

Quentin Tarantino has Barbenheimed

Sunday 23 July 2023 23:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, a noted champion of cinema, has found himself caught up in Barbenheimer.

According to one Twitter user, the Pulp Fiction director saw Oppenheimer first in Los Angeles before heading over the road to see Barbie.

In a meta twist, the cinema he’s seen getting a ticket from here (the Bruin) is the one Sharon Tate – played by Barbie star Margot Robbie – goes to in his latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

The women of ‘Oppenheimer’

Sunday 23 July 2023 22:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Oppenheimer might be about the inventor of the atomic bomb, but the film features two characters who are worthy of their own three-hour film: Florence Pugh’s Jean Tatlock and Emily Blunt, who playes Oppehenimer’s wife Kitty.

Annabel Nugent spoke to historians to find out more about their lives.

The true story of the brilliant, complicated female figures behind Oppenheimer

Why Rob Brydon is in ‘Barbie'

Sunday 23 July 2023 21:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Rob Brydon himself announced before the release of Barbie that he had a role in the film – and sure enough, he does!

It turns out that Margot Robbie cast him “as a priority” for a rather touching reason.

Read more here.

The sweet reason Margot Robbie cast Rob Brydon in Barbie

Box office update

Sunday 23 July 2023 20:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

The Barbie and Oppeheimer excitement has resulted in one of the most lucrative box office openings of all time.

Both films opened on Friday (21 July), with their opening weekend box office tally across the world looking set to top the $400m (£311m) mark, which is a rare occurrence reserved for cinematic events.

Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is storming ahead with the lion’s share of those takings.

The film is estimated to amass $300m (£233m) internationally, which will see it earn the most successful opening of an original non-superhero film ever.

Read more here.

Barbie set to earn biggest ever opening for non-superhero film

America Ferrera points out ‘revolutionary’ detail in Barbie Dreamhouse

04:54 , Peony Hirwani

In a an interview for the Harper’s Bazaar UK Summer issue, Barbie star America Ferrera, 39, discussed Barbie’s progressive but “inelegant” history since its creation in 1959.

Ferrera said that growing up, she was “never a Barbie girl” but there have been “revolutionary” moments in Barbie’s history when Mattel has made subversive statements about womanhood.

Ferrera pointed out that there was no kitchen in the first Barbie Dreamhouse, which freed the doll from expectations of domesticity.

Read more:

America Ferrera points out ‘revolutionary’ detail in original Barbie Dreamhouse

Will ‘Oppenheimer’ be released in Japan?

04:52 , Peony Hirwani

For obvious reasons, some fans are wondering whether Oppenheimer will have a theatrical release in Japan.

The Independent understands that plans for the film’s release have not yet been finalised in all markets. Japan also tends to release later than other markets with Barbie coming out 11 August there.

Read more here:

Will Oppenheimer be released in Japanese movie theatres?

Was Oppenheimer really the ‘father’ of the atomic bomb?

Sunday 23 July 2023 19:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

“It is always too easy to fall for the great man – or great woman – theory of history,” Guy Walters writes in a long read for The Independent.

“But the problem with the great man theory is that it seldom holds water, and nowhere is it more leaky than with Oppenheimer.

“To regard him as the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ is to ignore not only that the Manhattan Project was the result of a historically unprecedented level of teamwork, but also those others who are equally deserving of atomic fatherhood status.”

Read more:

Was Oppenheimer really the ‘father’ of the atomic bomb?

‘Oppenheimer’ technical faults hit cinemas

Sunday 23 July 2023 18:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Christopher Nolan has made it very clear his preferred way to watch Oppeheimer is in IMAX 70mm.

In fact, the film is the longest one to ever be projected in this format.

Due to the fragile nature of projecting in 70mm, though, many cinemagoers around the world have been experiencing faults – one of which may or may not have been a nod to Barbenheimer.

Rishi Sunak has seen ‘Barbie'

Sunday 23 July 2023 17:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Getting in on Barbenheimer this weekend was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who wrote: “The family vote was only ever going one way… Barbie first it is #Barbenheimer.”

Although it seems if he was planning on double billing with Oppenheimer, which has a 15 age certificate, he would have had to send his nine and 11year-old daughters home first.

Christopher Nolan says Oppenheimer is ‘the biggest film I’ve ever made’

Sunday 23 July 2023 16:14 , Jacob Stolworthy

ICYMI, The Independent sat down with both Nolan and Cillan Murphy to discuss Oppenheimer.

During the chat, Nolan discussed his new film as well as his directing future while Murphy admitted: “I love watching Christopher Nolan’s films when I’m not in them.

Read the full interview here.

Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy on Oppenheimer: ‘There’s nothing bigger’

‘The verdict on ‘Barbie'

Sunday 23 July 2023 15:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie gets the five-star treatment from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey:

Barbie is a near-miraculous achievement – movie review

Sunday 23 July 2023 14:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing?

That’s the question explored by my colleague Louis Chilton in his comment piece for The Independent.

The 52-year-old filmmaker’s work has long prompted speculation over his political views, from the supposedly pro-conservative Dark Knight to the anti-war messaging of Tenet. Does his nuclear biopic Oppenheimer hold any answers?

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing? Oppenheimer finally suggests otherwise

‘Barbie’ viewers are reacting to a ‘jump scare' cameo in the new film

Sunday 23 July 2023 13:17 , Jacob Stolworthy

Barbie stars many recognisable faces in smaller roles as different versions of Barbie and Ken, one of which is none other than Welsh comedy srtar Rob Brydon.

It turns out Margot Robbie was instrumental in ensuring he appeared in the film.

Read more here.

Barbie viewers react to ‘jump scare’ cameo in new film

‘Barbie’ is set to enter the history books

Sunday 23 July 2023 11:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

The Barbie and Oppeheimer excitement has resulted in one of the most lucrative box office openings of all time.

Both films opened on Friday (21 July), with their opening weekend box office tally across the world looking set to top the $400m (£311m) mark, which is a rare occurrence reserved for cinematic events.

Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is storming ahead with the lion’s share of those takings.

The film is estimated to amass $300m (£233m) internationally, which will see it earn the most successful opening of an original non-superhero film ever.

Read more here.

Barbie set to earn biggest ever opening for non-superhero film

Sunday 23 July 2023 10:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Oppenheimer might be about the inventor of the atomic bomb, but the film features two characters who are worthy of their own three-hour film: Florence Pugh’s Jean Tatlock and Emily Blunt, who playes Oppehenimer’s wife Kitty.

Annabel Nugent spoke to historians to find out more about their lives.

The true story of the brilliant, complicated female figures behind Oppenheimer

Quentin Tarantino is getting in on the action

Sunday 23 July 2023 09:10 , Jacob Stolworthy

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, a noted champion of cinema, has found himself caught up in Barbenheimer.

According to one Twitter user, the Pulp Fiction director saw Oppenheimer first in Los Angeles before heading over the road to see Barbie.

In a meta twist, the cinema he’s seen getting a ticket from here is the one Sharon Tate – played by Barbie star Margot Robbie – goes to in his latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Was Oppenheimer really the ‘father’ of the atomic bomb?

Saturday 22 July 2023 22:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

“It is always too easy to fall for the great man – or great woman – theory of history,” Guy Walters writes in a long read for The Independent.

“But the problem with the great man theory is that it seldom holds water, and nowhere is it more leaky than with Oppenheimer.

“To regard him as the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ is to ignore not only that the Manhattan Project was the result of a historically unprecedented level of teamwork, but also those others who are equally deserving of atomic fatherhood status.”

Read more:

Was Oppenheimer really the ‘father’ of the atomic bomb?

America Ferrera points out ‘revolutionary’ detail in Barbie Dreamhouse

Saturday 22 July 2023 21:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

In a new interview for the Harper’s Bazaar UK Summer issue, Barbie star America Ferrera, 39, discussed Barbie’s progressive but “inelegant” history since its creation in 1959.

Ferrera said that growing up, she was “never a Barbie girl” but there have been “revolutionary” moments in Barbie’s history when Mattel has made subversive statements about womanhood.

Ferrera pointed out that there was no kitchen in the first Barbie Dreamhouse, which freed the doll from expectations of domesticity.

Read more:

America Ferrera points out ‘revolutionary’ detail in original Barbie Dreamhouse

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing?

Saturday 22 July 2023 19:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

That’s the question explored by my colleague Louis Chilton in his comment piece for The Independent.

The 52-year-old filmmaker’s work has long prompted speculation over his political views, from the supposedly pro-conservative Dark Knight to the anti-war messaging of Tenet. Does his nuclear biopic Oppenheimer hold any answers?

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing? Oppenheimer finally suggests otherwise

Barbie manufacturer accused of ‘stealth marketing’ in schools

Saturday 22 July 2023 18:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

Mattel has sparked criticism for “stealth marketing” to children after a new programme gave away free Barbie dolls in schools, a move that health experts are claiming reinforces damaging gender stereotypes.

The toy manufacturer launched the “Barbie School of Friendship” programme this year, in which free Barbie dolls were given to an estimated 150,000 students in 700 schools across the UK to teach social skills.

However, in an investigative piece published in the British Medical Journal on 20 July, many experts have questioned the programme’s potential negative effects of gender stereotyping, as well as companies freely marketing their products in schools.

Mattel accused of ‘stealth marketing’ after giving away free Barbie dolls in schools

Christopher Nolan says Oppenheimer is ‘the biggest film I’ve ever made’

Saturday 22 July 2023 17:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

The Independent sat down with both Nolan and Cillan Murphy to discuss Oppenheimer.

During the chat, Nolan discussed his new film as well as his directing future while Murphy admitted: “I love watching Christopher Nolan’s films when I’m not in them.

Read the full interview here.

Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy on Oppenheimer: ‘There’s nothing bigger’

Will ‘Oppenheimer’ be released in Japan?

Saturday 22 July 2023 16:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

For obvious reasons, some fans are wondering whether Oppenheimer will have a theatrical release in Japan.

The Independent understands that plans for the film’s release have not yet been finalised in all markets. Japan also tends to release later than other markets with Barbie coming out on 11 August there.

Read more here:

Will Oppenheimer be released in Japanese movie theatres?

‘Oppenheimer’ technical faults hit cinemas

Saturday 22 July 2023 15:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

Christopher Nolan has made it very clear his preferred way to watch Oppeheimer is in IMAX 70mm.

In fact, the film is the longest one to ever be projected in this format.

Due to the fragile nature of projecting in 70mm, though, many cinemagoers around the world have been experiencing faults – one of which may or may not have been a nod to Barbenheimer.

Barbie’s fun cameo

Saturday 22 July 2023 15:00 , Jacob Stolworthy

In the run-up to Barbie, film fans were left confused after seeing Rob Brydon at the UK premiere.

The Gavin & Stacey comedy star then wrote on Twitter that he had small role in the film – and sure enough, he’s there!

Many are lovingly calling his sudden, and brief, appearance in the film as a “jump scare”.

Our verdict on ‘Barbie’

Saturday 22 July 2023 14:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie gets the five-star treatment from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey:

Barbie is a near-miraculous achievement – movie review

Saturday 22 July 2023 14:02 , Jacob Stolworthy

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have admitted to finding co-star Cillian Murphy’s blue eyes to be a “real problem” on the set of Oppenheimer.

“It’s a real problem when you’re doing scene work with Cillian,” Damon agreed. “Sometimes you find yourself just swimming in his eyes.”

Blunt compared Murphy’s eyes to Billie Eilish’s 2016 hit “Ocean Eyes”. “We just hum it all day,” she quipped.

Read more here:

Emily Blunt says Cillian Murphy’s ‘ocean eyes’ were distracting on Oppenheimer set

Cinemagoers flock to see ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’

Saturday 22 July 2023 13:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

On Friday (21 July), London’s famous Leicester Square was packed full of cinema fans first day of the Barbie and Oppenheimer screenings.

Both films have exceeded box office predictions are just one day of release.

Scores on the doors

Saturday 22 July 2023 12:55 , Jacob Stolworthy

Review aggregate site Raotten Tomatoes is a good gauge for how each film is being received.

Barbie is being received exactly the same by critics and audiences – it currently has a 90 per cent score for each.

Meanwhile, Oppeheimer is going down slightly better – it has a 93 poer cent critic score and has a 94 per cent audience score.

Cillian Murphy admits why he might struggle to watch ‘Oppenheimer’

Saturday 22 July 2023 12:00 , Jacob Stolworthy

The ‘Peaky Blinders’ actor sat down with The Independent ahead of ‘Oppenheimer’ where he reflected on what it’s like to watch himself on screen.

“I love watching Christopher Nolan’s films when I’m not in them,” he said. “You don’t have to freak out about the size of your ears or whatever. I don’t make films so I can look at myself. I really don’t.

“Having said that, I did want to watch this movie with an audience, as that’s how it’s designed.”

Read the full interview with Murphy and Nolan here.

Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy on Oppenheimer: ‘There’s nothing bigger’

Voices: The real reason behind the Barbie movie backlash

Saturday 22 July 2023 11:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

“In the days leading up to the release of the Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, the film has endured various attacks by right-wing figures, whose issue with the movie lies in what they say is a ‘woke’ and ‘feminist’ agenda,” Nylah Burton writes for The Independent.

“No one has to like the Barbie movie, and I’m sure intelligent criticism of the film’s messaging and quality will emerge. However, attacking it because it doesn’t address ‘any notion of faith of family’ is not only ludicrous but untrue.”

Read more:

The real reason behind the Barbie movie backlash

Saturday 22 July 2023 10:56 , Jacob Stolworthy

Are You there God? It’s Me, Margaret director calls Barbie ‘truly a thing of genius’.

Barbenheimer fans warn others not to watch Barbie after Oppenheimer

Saturday 22 July 2023 10:30 , Jacob Stolworthy

There has been much discussion about the proper order to watch the Barbenheimer double feature. The actors themselves have even weighed in on the discourse.

So if you’re planning on seeing both in one day, this is how you should do it:

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

Margot Robbie ‘really flattered’ by internet’s obsession with her feet

Saturday 22 July 2023 09:37 , Jacob Stolworthy

Margot Robbie has said she is “really flattered” by the attention her feet have received in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie movie.

In the film, which was released in the UK on Friday (21 July), several closeup shots reveal Robbie’s perfectly arched feet. In one scene that went viral after the official trailer released in April, Robbie slips out of a pair of fluffy pink heels. However, instead of standing normally, Robbie’s Barbie stays on her tiptoes in a nod to how the toy doll appears.

While fans have praised Gerwig for the film’s attention to detail, it appears that others have become obsessed with Robbie’s feet.

Margot Robbie responds to internet’s obsession with her feet after Barbie trailer

Christopher Nolan says Oppenheimer is ‘the biggest film I’ve ever made'

Saturday 22 July 2023 08:40 , Jacob Stolworthy

The Independent sat down with both Nolan and Cillan Murphy to discuss Oppenheimer.

Read the full interview here.

Christopher Nolan interview: ‘There’s nothing bigger than Oppenheimer’

Was Oppenheimer really the ‘father’ of the atomic bomb?

Saturday 22 July 2023 08:13 , Tom Murray

“It is always too easy to fall for the great man – or great woman – theory of history,” Guy Walters writes in a long read for The Independent.

“But the problem with the great man theory is that it seldom holds water, and nowhere is it more leaky than with Oppenheimer.

“To regard him as the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ is to ignore not only that the Manhattan Project was the result of a historically unprecedented level of teamwork, but also those others who are equally deserving of atomic fatherhood status.”

Read more:

Was Oppenheimer really the ‘father’ of the atomic bomb?

Margot Robbie says she faked her own death because she hated her babysitter

Saturday 22 July 2023 07:15 , Tom Murray

Appearing on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 show on Thursday (20 July), Robbie, 33, recalled how she had once pretended to be dead as part of an elaborate prank she played on her adult babysitter.

“We got a new babysitter,” the Wolf of Wall Street star recalled. “I wanted my old babysitter back, Talia, who was like 16 and I thought she was so cool. And then we got this much older lady in and I was just not happy about it.”

Robbie said she then hatched a plan to fake her own death and went to extreme lengths to convince her new babysitter it was real.

Read more:

Margot Robbie says she faked her own death because she hated her babysitter

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing?

Saturday 22 July 2023 06:16 , Tom Murray

That’s the question explored by my colleague Louis Chilton in his comment piece for The Independent.

The 52-year-old filmmaker’s work has long prompted speculation over his political views, from the supposedly pro-conservative Dark Knight to the anti-war messaging of Tenet. Does his nuclear biopic Oppenheimer hold any answers?

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing? Oppenheimer finally suggests otherwise

The true story behind ‘the father of the atomic bomb’

Saturday 22 July 2023 05:17 , Tom Murray

Oppenheimer is partially based on the Pulitzer-Prize-winning 2005 biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin over a period of 25 years.

“Celebrated in 1945 as the ‘father of the atomic bomb,’ nine years later he would become the chief celebrity victim of the McCarthyite maelstrom,” Bird wrote in a recent opinion piece for The New York Times.

The film is the first to properly tackle the scientist and his legacy, which was marred by a controversial 1954 hearing that resulted in his security clearance being revoked.

Read here for the true story behind J Robert Oppenheimer:

The horrifying true story behind Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer

Barbie manufacturer accused of ‘stealth marketing’ in schools

Saturday 22 July 2023 04:17 , Tom Murray

Mattel has sparked criticism for “stealth marketing” to children after a new programme gave away free Barbie dolls in schools, a move that health experts are claiming reinforces damaging gender stereotypes.

The toy manufacturer launched the “Barbie School of Friendship” programme this year, in which free Barbie dolls were given to an estimated 150,000 students in 700 schools across the UK to teach social skills.

However, in an investigative piece published in the British Medical Journal on 20 July, many experts have questioned the programme’s potential negative effects of gender stereotyping, as well as companies freely marketing their products in schools.

Read more:

Mattel accused of ‘stealth marketing’ after giving away free Barbie dolls in schools

America Ferrera points out ‘revolutionary’ detail in Barbie Dreamhouse

Saturday 22 July 2023 03:18 , Tom Murray

In a new interview for the Harper’s Bazaar UK Summer issue, Barbie star America Ferrera, 39, discussed Barbie’s progressive but “inelegant” history since its creation in 1959.

Ferrera said that growing up, she was “never a Barbie girl” but there have been “revolutionary” moments in Barbie’s history when Mattel has made subversive statements about womanhood.

Ferrera pointed out that there was no kitchen in the first Barbie Dreamhouse, which freed the doll from expectations of domesticity.

Read more:

America Ferrera points out ‘revolutionary’ detail in original Barbie Dreamhouse

Voices: The real reason behind the Barbie movie backlash

Saturday 22 July 2023 02:19 , Tom Murray

“In the days leading up to the release of the Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, the film has endured various attacks by right-wing figures, whose issue with the movie lies in what they say is a ‘woke’ and ‘feminist’ agenda,” Nylah Burton writes for The Independent.

“No one has to like the Barbie movie, and I’m sure intelligent criticism of the film’s messaging and quality will emerge. However, attacking it because it doesn’t address ‘any notion of faith of family’ is not only ludicrous but untrue.”

Read more:

The real reason behind the Barbie movie backlash

Will ‘Oppenheimer’ be released in Japan?

Saturday 22 July 2023 01:22 , Tom Murray

For obvious reasons, some fans are wondering whether Oppenheimer will have a theatrical release in Japan.

The Independent understands that plans for the film’s release have not yet been finalised in all markets. Japan also tends to release later than other markets with Barbie coming out 11 August there.

Read more here:

Will Oppenheimer be released in Japanese movie theatres?

Greta Gerwig on track to break record for the biggest domestic opening for a female director

Friday 21 July 2023 23:58 , Tom Murray

Barbie is reportedly on track to earn over $150m dollars in its opening weekend. If it achieves this feat, Gerwig will break the record for the biggest domestic opening for a female director in Hollywood history.

Emily Blunt says she was distracted by Cillian Murphy’s ‘ocean eyes’

Friday 21 July 2023 22:35 , Tom Murray

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have admitted to finding co-star Cillian Murphy’s blue eyes to be a “real problem” on the set of Oppenheimer.

“It’s a real problem when you’re doing scene work with Cillian,” Damon said. “Sometimes you find yourself just swimming in his eyes.”

Blunt compared Murphy’s eyes to Billie Eilish’s 2016 hit “Ocean Eyes”. “We just hum it all day,” she said.

Read more:

Emily Blunt says Cillian Murphy’s ‘ocean eyes’ were distracting on Oppenheimer set

Video: Brian Cox says AI is 'real scare' at SAG-AFTRA and WGA rally

Friday 21 July 2023 22:04 , Tom Murray

‘Are You there God It’s Me Margaret’ director calls ‘Barbie’ ‘truly a thing of genius'

Friday 21 July 2023 20:54 , Tom Murray

Barbenheimer fans warn others not to watch Barbie after Oppenheimer

Friday 21 July 2023 19:37 , Tom Murray

There has been much discussion about the proper order to watch the Barbenheimer double feature. The actors themselves have even weighed in on the discourse.

But take it from fans who appear to have made the mistake of watching Oppenheimer before Barbie. The former is heavy, and while some have argued that that’s exactly why you would want to end on the joyful Barbie – as a palette cleanser – “I can’t imagine wanting to do anything after Oppenheimer,” one viewer tweeted.

“Oppenheimer completely emotionally devastated me and then I watched the movie about a Toy,” they added.

Barbie doubles Oppenheimer’s earnings in box office previews

Friday 21 July 2023 19:13 , Tom Murray

Warner Bros and Universal Pictures have announced the box office preview earnings for Barbie and Oppenheimer, respectively, and there’s a clear winner.

Barbie earned $22.3m (£17.3m) in the US across 3,900 cinemas while Universal says Oppenheimer collected $10.5m (£8.2m); though, it was previewed in fewer theatres than Barbie (3,150).

Read more:

Barbie doubles Oppenheimer’s earnings in box office previews

Margot Robbie says she faked her own death because she hated her babysitter

Friday 21 July 2023 18:01 , Tom Murray

Margot Robbie has admitted that she once faked her own death to play a trick on a babysitter.

The Australian actor stars as Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated film about the popular Mattel doll line. One trailer for the film sees Barbie ask her other doll friends about death.

Appearing on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 show on Thursday (20 July), Robbie, 33, recalled how she had once pretended to be dead as part of an elaborate prank she played on her adult babysitter.

Read more:

Margot Robbie says she faked her own death because she hated her babysitter

‘Barbie’ star told Zoe Ball about the incident in a new interview

Oppenheimer star Matt Damon makes surprising revelation about kissing Scarlett Johansson

Friday 21 July 2023 17:35 , Tom Murray

During the promotional trail for Oppenheimer, Damon (who plays Lt Leslie Groves Jr in the movie) played a game for LadBible, where he and co-star Emily Blunt had to say whether they agreed or disagreed with a statement.

The topic of kissing co-stars came up when the actors were posed with the statement, “You should tell someone if they have bad breath.”

Damon then went on to tell the story about kissing Johansson while shooting the 2011 drama We Bought a Zoo, joking that it was “hell” having to kiss her.

“Can you image how horrible that was for me?” he said.

“We went to lunch and she and I both thought it was over. She ate an onion sandwich for lunch and she came in and Cameron Crowe had set the camera up and it was a tight shot of the kiss, and she goes, ‘Oh shit, I literally just had an onion sandwich!’”

Read more:

Matt Damon says kissing co-star Scarlett Johansson was ‘hell’

Friday 21 July 2023 17:30 , Inga Parkel

Margot Robbie’s stylist reveals six barely-seen outfits for Barbie press tour

Margot Robbie gave show-stopping performances on every hot pink carpet of the Barbie press tour, but a few of her planned Mattel-inspired outfits weren’t officially unveiled due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes cutting the world-wide event schedule short.

To give the missed looks the recognition they deserve, Robbie’s stylist Andrew Mukamal debuted six never seen photos in an 18 July Instagram post.

Read more:

Margot Robbie’s stylist reveals six barely-seen outfits for Barbie press tour

Robbie wore vintage Versace, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, and Valentino

Is Barbenheimer actually good?

Friday 21 July 2023 17:00 , Inga Parkel

Ahead of Barbie and Oppenheimer’s respective releases in cinemas on Friday (21 July), both films have received rapturous praise from critics.

But now that they have officially opened to a majority of general audiences, you may be wondering if the films are living up to the initial hype or if it has all just been one big marketing campaign.

And wouldn’t that be an absolute shame?

Luckily, we’ve been saved from living that reality. Barbie has debuted with an audience score of 90 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, while Oppenheimer currently sits at an astounding 94 per cent audience score.

“I just watched the Barbie movie and HOLY S***,” one fan tweeted. “That was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen like what the hell.”

“#Oppenheimer is arguably Nolan’s magnum-opus, a terrifying look at one of the most daunting aspects of our history. It’s suspenseful, anxiety-inducing and told in a way that’s absolutely breathtaking. Murphy is flawless and RDJ stuns along with a masterful score. I’m astounded!”

Margot Robbie ‘really flattered’ by internet’s obsession with her feet

Friday 21 July 2023 16:30 , Inga Parkel

Margot Robbie has said she is “really flattered” by the attention her feet have received in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie movie.

In the film, which was released in the UK on Friday (21 July), several closeup shots reveal Robbie’s perfectly arched feet. In one scene that went viral after the official trailer released in April, Robbie slips out of a pair of fluffy pink heels. However, instead of standing normally, Robbie’s Barbie stays on her tiptoes in a nod to how the toy doll appears.

While fans have praised Gerwig for the film’s attention to detail, it appears that others have become obsessed with Robbie’s feet.

Read more:

Margot Robbie ‘really flattered’ by internet’s obsession with her feet

The Australian actor has been praised for her perfectly arched feet in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated ‘Barbie’ movie

Barbie earns astounding $22.3m in Thursday previews

Friday 21 July 2023 16:00 , Inga Parkel

Barbie’s’ box office reign has officially begun. On Thursday (20 July), the movie quickly outshined all other summer blockbusters in previews, making $22.3m (£17.3m).

Oppenheimer earned $10.5m (£8m) in Thursday previews.

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

Friday 21 July 2023 15:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Some have argued that the lighter tone of Barbie would make it a good pallette cleanser after the intensity of Oppenheimer, while others have claimed that the heavy content of Nolan’s film would overshadow the levity of Barbie, should you watch it in that order.

Many people, including actors and critics, have weighed in on the best order to watch “Barbenheimer”.

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

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

Friday 21 July 2023 15:00 , Roisin O'Connor

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie gets the five-star treatment from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey:

Barbie is a near-miraculous achievement – movie review

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

Friday 21 July 2023 14:30 , Roisin O'Connor

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

Barbie: The Album review – Billie Eilish leads a soundtrack that’s as erratic as the movie that inspired it

Friday 21 July 2023 14:00 , Roisin O'Connor

“Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, the inescapable Margot Robbie movie inspired by the Mattel doll, which arrives in cinemas this week, ties itself in knots as it goes along – parodying itself, critiquing itself, and eagerly attempting to justify its very existence just in case anyone asks. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a child’s toybox – there’s colour, joy and imagination, yet it’s a total mess. Its soundtrack – which features everyone from Sam Smith and Nicki Minaj to Ryan Gosling doing an impression of Freddie Mercury by way of one of the lesser *Nsyncs – appropriately follows suit.”

Read Adam White’s review:

The Barbie soundtrack is as erratic as the movie that inspired it – review

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing? Oppenheimer finally suggests otherwise

Friday 21 July 2023 13:30 , Roisin O'Connor

The 52-year-old filmmaker’s work has long prompted speculation over his political views, from the supposedly pro-conservative ‘Dark Knight’ to the anti-war messaging of ‘Tenet’. Does his nuclear biopic ‘Oppenheimer’ hold any answers, asks Louis Chilton

Are Christopher Nolan’s films right-wing? Oppenheimer finally suggests otherwise

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

Friday 21 July 2023 13:00 , Roisin O'Connor

With the two films out on the same day, many people have committed to seeing them one after the other, as part of a self-curated double bill.

The radically different tones of the two films has, however, provoked some debate regarding the optimal order in which to view the films.

My colleague Louis Chilton has sought out some expert commentary, from actors to critics:

What order should you watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in?

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

Friday 21 July 2023 12:30 , Peony Hirwani

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

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

Friday 21 July 2023 12:00 , Peony Hirwani

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

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

Friday 21 July 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani

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.

Barbie’s impressive Rotten Tomatoes score revealed

Friday 21 July 2023 11:00 , 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

Barbie filmmaker Greta Gerwig on art, commerce and embracing the mess

Friday 21 July 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani

Q&A: ‘Barbie’ filmmaker Greta Gerwig on art, commerce and embracing the mess

Barbie movie merchandise: From Barbie dolls to a Zara collaboration

Friday 21 July 2023 10:00 , Peony Hirwani

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