Here's how Springfield's movie theaters are preparing for 'Barbieheimer'
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Which are you seeing next week: "Barbie" or "Oppenheimer" (or maybe both)? No matter what side of "Barbieheimer" you're on, movie theaters are gearing up for one of the most highly anticipated opening nights in years.
Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" hit theaters Thursday, but movie lovers didn't hesitate when tickets became available in June.
AMC Theatres reported that more 40,000 AMC Stubs loyalty program members bought tickets to both movies on the same day, Ryan Noonan, AMC Theatres vice president of corporate communications told the News-Leader on Monday.
On a local level, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Springfield has experienced some of the highest advance sales of any week since prior to the pandemic, Director of Communications Jennifer Johnmeyer said.
In preparation, Alamo Drafthouse held several hiring events over the past few weeks to expand staffing.
Alamo Drafthouse is hosting several special screening for the release of "Barbie," including an early access screening on Wednesday, three party screenings Friday through Sunday, a Barbiecore dress-up on Friday and a Slumber Party Pajama Screening on Saturday. All of these special screenings have already sold out.
For the party screenings throughout the weekend, each guest will receive a pink beret, heart-shaped sunglasses and a Barbie license plate sticker. During Alamo Drafthouse party screenings, theater rules are more relaxed, Johnameyer said. Guests are encouraged to cheer, sing along or even quote their favorite lines. During the Saturday party screening, a Barbie character with Princesses of the 417 will be available for photos with guests.
Johnmeyer said Friday that she hopes to add one more party screening and one more Slumber Party Pajama Screening to the Springfield calendar for folks who missed out on advance tickets.
Alamo Drafthouse is also offering a line of Barbie merchandise, including t-shirts, a stationary set with a pencil bag, notepad, stickers and pen, enamel pens, the heart-shaped sunglasses available at the party screening and a lunchbox and thermos set. Merchandise is available at the Springfield location while supplies last now. Pink Barbie t-shirts are also available on the Alamo Drafthouse website at bit.ly/44LmuK4.
For movie buffs who want to enjoy both sides of "Barbieheimer" this week, Alamo Drafthouse is offering a special double feature for Film Club members. On Sunday, members can watch "Barbie" at 4:40 p.m., followed by "Oppenheimer" starting at 7:20 p.m. Following, the club will host its monthly meeting to discuss both movies.
To learn more about the Alamo Springfield Film Club, join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/AlamoSpringMoFilmClub/.
The News-Leader contacted AMC Theaters for information about sales at Springfield's theater but did not connect by press deadline.
"Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" both feature star-studded casts.
In Gerwig's "Barbie," Margot Robbie plays the main Barbie character and Ryan Gosling plays her right-hand man, Ken. The two are forced to leave the perfect world of Barbie Land to experience the reality of living among humans. Emma Mackey, Will Ferrell, Dua Lipa, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt and many other familiar faces round out the cast.
Cillian Murphy plays American scientist Robert Oppenheimer in Nolan's "Oppenheimer." The movie follows Oppenheimer's story during development of the atomic bomb. Murphy is joined on screen by Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr. and Matt Damon.
When and where is 'Barbie' playing this weekend?
The following are showtimes that were available as of Monday.
Thursday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 10 p.m.
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Friday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 11:20 a.m., noon, 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 6 p.m., 9:20 p.m. and 10 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 10:40 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Saturday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 11:20 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 6 p.m., 9:20 p.m. and 10:05 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 12:10 p.m., 1:25 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 10:10 p.m.
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Sunday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 11:20 a.m., 11:55 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 9:20 p.m. and 10:05 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 10:40 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
When and where is 'Oppenheimer' playing this weekend?
The following are showtimes that were available as of Monday.
Thursday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 5 p.m. (IMAX), 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. (IMAX)
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 5 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Friday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 10:40 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 10:30 a.m. (IMAX), 2:30 p.m., (IMAX), 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. (IMAX), 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (IMAX)
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 2:15 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Saturday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 10:40 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 10:30 a.m. (IMAX), noon, 2:30 p.m. (IMAX), 6:30 p.m. (IMAX), 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (IMAX)
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 2:15 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Sunday
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 10:40 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
AMC Springfield 11: 10:30 a.m. (IMAX), noon, 2:30 p.m. (IMAX), 4 p.m. 6:30 p.m. (IMAX) and 10:30 p.m. (IMAX)
B&B Theatres Ozark/Nixa 12: 2:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 'Barbieheimer' hits theaters Thursday. Which are you seeing?
