Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Marketing and Sales

This past weekend was one of the most successful in Hollywood history (Jake Hills/Unsplash)

By Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel is a news writer for Leaders Media. He was the Fall 2021 College Fix Fellow and Health Care...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Jul 24, 2023

The Fourth Highest Grossing Box Office Weekend In History

The simultaneous release of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has created one of the most staggeringly successful moments in recent film history. 

Key Details

  • Barbie domestically grossed $155 million in its opening weekend, while Oppenheimer grossed $80.5 million—a combined domestic total of $235.5 million for both films. 
  • Alongside other releases, this weekend’s $302 million box office is the fourth-biggest in history and the largest box office weekend since the premiere of Avengers: Endgame. 
  • The global box office was even larger, with both films grossing a total of $511 million worldwide for their opening weekend. 
  • The combined release of both films will also likely make this past weekend the highest-grossing domestic box office weekend of 2023. 
  • A combined 18.5 million tickets were sold domestically for both movies, EntTelligence tells CNBC.

Why It’s Important 

As we previously reported, the internet ‘Barbenheimer’ meme has propelled both new films into the public consciousness and skyrocketed presales for both films in the weeks leading up to Thursday night’s premiere. Early indications were conservative that they would perform well, but the shared hype and encouragement from both film’s cast and crew to support each other mutually reinforced the idea that audiences should see both movies on the opening weekend. 

Their success is notable, as multiple high-profile films in recent months have underperformed, including Ant-Man And the Wasp: Quantumania, Fast X, The Flash, Elemental, Indiana Jones And the Dial Of Destiny, and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. Their success likely signals audiences crave more original films and less intellectual-property-driven (IP) franchise properties. 

“Audiences are stating, in no uncertain terms, that IP and connected universes and sequels are not going to save theaters. The secret lies in investing in risky projects based on compelling ideas that challenge filmmakers and their audiences,” says Indiewire’s Tom Brueggemann.

The success of both films also stands against the current state of the film industry, with the majority of film and television productions currently on pause due to ongoing labor strikes from the writers’ and actors’ guilds surrounding the issues of artificial intelligence and residual payments for streaming performances. 

The $155 million success of Barbie also stands as an achievement for women in filmmaking, with the Greta Gerwig-backed film becoming one of the largest ever premieres for a film from a female director—proving female-led and female-backed projects can not only compete but succeed in a male-dominated industry, Axios notes.  

The release also has implications for global box office revenues in China, with Barbie only grossing $10 million in its first four days in theaters. With the Chinese entertainment industry recovering from recent market headwinds and showing signs of growing disinterest towards American films, this could signal the end of Hollywood’s romance with the Chinese box office, The Wall Street Journal notes. 

With other major studio films like Haunted Mansion, Blue Beetle, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, Equalizer 3, The Nun II, Kraven the Hunter, The Exorcist, The Marvels, and Wonka on the horizon this fall, it will be curious to see how these name-brand films compete against original releases like Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of the Flower Moon, Gareth Edward’s The Creator, Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, and Michael Mann’s Ferrari. The recent release of The Sound Of Freedom has shown that audiences are eager to go to bat for unconventional films this year.

Home / News / The Fourth Highest Grossing Box Office Weekend In History
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Seattle Takes The Crown For Advanced Tech Talent

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Tech

Oct 24, 2023

Seattle tech talent

Seattle has emerged as the metro area with the most advanced tech talent, beating out tech hubs like San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Key Details

  • According to a new ranking by the Burning Glass Institute, Seattle has the highest proportion of advanced tech workers compared to other cities with similarly sized tech workforces.
  • The ranking evaluated 60 million high-paying, in-demand tech job postings and histories to identify cities with cutting-edge roles like AI and cybersecurity rather than legacy tech positions.
  • With tech giants Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in Seattle, the city edged out the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Austin, and Raleigh on the list.
  • The report found that demand for software developers and IT support specialists has declined over the past five years as companies seek more specialized tech talent.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

More Americans Can’t Keep Up With Car Payments

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
Loans and Borrowing

Oct 23, 2023

car loans, used cars

A record number of Americans are behind on their car loan payments as higher interest rates and prices weigh on consumers.

Key Details

  • According to data from Fitch Ratings, 6.11% of car loans were at least 60 days delinquent in September, the highest since tracking began in the early 2000s.
  • Some interest rates on used cars can rise to as much as 21%, according to Bankrate.
  • Soaring prices and rising interest rates are squeezing consumers, making it difficult for some to keep up with their auto loans.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Chevron Makes $53 Billion Deal Amid Surging Gas Prices

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Markets

Oct 23, 2023

Chevron Gas Deal

Chevron is acquiring Hess Corp. for $53 billion, the second significant oil producer acquisition this month as crude prices climb.

Key Details

  • Chevron is purchasing Hess in an all-cash deal worth $53 billion, including debt and preferred stock redemption.
  • This comes just weeks after ExxonMobil announced its $59.5 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources.
  • With oil over $80 per barrel, major producers are using their windfall profits to acquire smaller players and boost payouts to shareholders.
  • Chevron expects the deal to close in H1 2023 pending regulatory approvals and Hess shareholder vote.
  • Hess CEO John Hess will join Chevron's board once the acquisition is complete.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
nike logo
Company Culture

Oct 20, 2023

Nike to Require More In-Office Days From Employees

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
blue collar workers
Retirement

Oct 20, 2023

Explaining The ‘C+ Grade’ Retirement Ecosystem in The United States

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
netflix building
Entertainment

Oct 19, 2023

Netflix Hiking Prices While Adding Millions of Subscribers

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Hiring

Nov 1, 2023

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

Come to your next phone interview fully prepared

Personal Growth

Oct 30, 2023

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Don’t fall into the trap of harsh self-criticism

Company Culture

Oct 27, 2023

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Sabbaticals can benefits both employees and businesses

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2025 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com