BOX OFFICE FORECAST
Written by KingCnote on July 21, 2023
Despite the Hollywood strikes, both the actors’ and writers’ unions say that it’s perfectly OK to go to movies this weekend. Predictions run as high as $140 million for Barbie based on pre-sales that rivaled Avatar. (Deadline)
Margot Robbie stars and Ryan Gosling steals every scene as Ken doll. The ensemble cast includes Issa Rae, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Helen Mirren, John Cena and Will Ferrell.
Overnight screenings of Barbie earned $20 million. Viewers called it great fun. Only The New York Post contradicted Barbie‘s 89% score at Rotten Tomatoes. Movie critic Johnny Oleksinski wrote for The Post how the Barbie movie felt “exhausting, spastic, self-absorbed and overwrought disappointment.” (He’s a guy and he’s wrong.)
The World War II bio-pic, Oppenheimer, will debut around $50 million. The three-hour R-rated drama stars Cillian Murphy in the title role of the builder of the atomic bomb. Screenings in Japan have not been finalized, which should not be surprising.
Oppenheimer’s ensemble cast includes Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr. and Florence Pugh.