**Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” Sets Record for Female Directors**
Greta Gerwig’s film “Barbie” has surpassed $1 billion in global ticket sales, setting a new record for female directors. The film, which Gerwig directed and co-wrote, has been in theaters for just three weeks and shows no signs of slowing down. It has already surpassed the previous record held by Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman.”
**”Barbie” Breaks $1 Billion Mark**
According to studio estimates, “Barbie” earned an additional $53 million from 4,178 North American locations over the weekend. It has been the number one movie for three consecutive weeks and is projected to cross the $1 billion mark before the end of the day. This achievement is historically significant, as only 53 movies have ever reached $1 billion in global box office revenue.
**Record-Breaking Success for Female Directors**
“Barbie” now holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing film directed solely by a woman, surpassing the previous record set by “Wonder Woman,” which earned $821.8 million globally. Although there are three movies co-directed by women that have earned more than “Barbie” (“Frozen” and “Frozen 2” by Jennifer Lee, and “Captain Marvel” by Anna Boden), it remains a landmark achievement for female directors in the industry.
**New Competition for “Barbie”**
Despite its remarkable success, “Barbie” faced competition from new releases this weekend. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and the Jason Statham shark sequel, “Meg 2: The Trench,” both competed with Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which is also in its third weekend. However, “Meg 2” managed to secure the second spot, beating out its competitors.
**Surprising Success for “Meg 2″**
Despite receiving poor reviews, “Meg 2” opened with $30 million from 3,503 locations. The film, directed by Ben Wheatley, currently holds a 29% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes but managed to attract audiences with its 3D release, which accounted for 22% of its first weekend earnings.
**Strong Performance of “Oppenheimer”**
“Oppenheimer,” the J. Robert Oppenheimer biopic starring Cillian Murphy, secured the third-place position. It earned $28.7 million from 3,612 locations in North America, bringing its domestic total to $228.6 million. Within just three weeks, the film has become the highest-grossing R-rated film of the year and the sixth-biggest film overall in 2023, surpassing “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.”
**Global Success of “Oppenheimer”**
“Oppenheimer” not only achieved success domestically but also crossed the $500 million mark globally within three weeks. Its current worldwide total is $552.9 million, making it the fifth-largest movie ever directed by Christopher Nolan and the biggest World War II film of all time. It now ranks among the top-grossing biographies, joining the likes of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and “American Sniper.”
**Strong Performance of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”**
In fourth place was Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” earning an estimated $28 million from 3,858 theaters in North America. With positive reviews (96% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores, the film has earned $43.1 million since its opening on Wednesday.
**Summer Box Office Boom**
“Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” and the surprise hit “Sound of Freedom” have contributed to a thriving summer box office, surpassing expectations and offsetting any disappointments from previous releases. These successes have led to a positive outlook for the remainder of the summer movie season.
**Uncertainty Looms with Actor and Writer Strikes**
While the industry experiences a moment of triumph, there is concern regarding the ongoing strikes by actors and writers. If a resolution is not reached soon, the fall release calendar could be impacted, with some studios postponing films until 2024 instead of promoting them without the involvement of movie stars.
**Sony’s Release Strategy**
Sony had planned to release its PlayStation-inspired true story “Gran Turismo” nationwide next Friday but has now opted for a slower rollout, hoping to capitalize on the possibility of movie stars promoting the film. The studio aims to maximize audience interest and engagement.
**Remaining Optimistic Amidst Uncertainty**
Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore, urges caution despite the current success of the box office. While the strike creates uncertainty, the audience’s enthusiasm for going to the movie theater continues to empower the industry.
**Weekend Box Office Rankings**
1. “Barbie” – $53 million
2. “Meg 2: The Trench” – $30 million
3. “Oppenheimer” – $28.7 million
4. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” – $28 million
5. “Haunted Mansion” – $9 million
6. “Sound of Freedom” – $7 million
7. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part I” – $6.5 million
8. “Talk to Me” – $6.3 million
9. “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” – $1.5 million
10. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” – $1.5 million
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