Vue International, a leading cinema chain, has announced that it achieved the highest weekend ticket sales in the UK in the past four years. This remarkable feat was attributed to the release of two films, Barbie and Oppenheimer. In a unique “Barbenheimer” double bill, one-fifth of Vue’s customers purchased tickets to see both films. Despite their contrasting storylines, Greta Gerwig’s comedic portrayal of Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller about physicist J Robert Oppenheimer’s involvement in the development of the atomic bomb captivated audiences. Vue reported that over 2,000 screenings for Barbie were sold out. Notable locations with high attendance for Barbie included Cambridge, Glasgow St Enoch, Leeds Kirkstall, Cwmbran, Islington, Bolton, and Portsmouth. Vue predicts that Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, will surpass Super Mario Bros and Oppenheimer to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Vue’s Success and Industry Impact
Tim Richards, the chief executive and founder of Vue International, expressed his enthusiasm for the impressive weekend admissions, which haven’t been seen since the release of Avengers: Endgame in 2019. According to Richards, the success of Barbie and Oppenheimer demonstrates that when compelling films are available, audiences are eager to experience them on the big screen. Furthermore, Vue anticipates that Barbie will not only become the biggest film of 2023 but also has the potential to enter the list of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time. This achievement marks an exhilarating moment for the film industry, and Vue expects this positive trend to continue in the weeks ahead. Across the country, Vue recorded over 4,000 sold-out sessions for both films, solidifying their popularity.
Success Beyond the UK
The success of Barbie and Oppenheimer is not limited to the UK market. Odeon, another major cinema chain, reported that over 200,000 advance tickets were purchased, with more than 10,000 guests expected to watch both films during the opening weekend. Universal Pictures, the film production and distribution company, revealed that Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh, earned an impressive £8.05 million in the UK and Ireland since its release on Friday. The biopic is on track to achieve a better opening three days than Nolan’s other blockbusters, including Dunkirk, Interstellar, and Inception. The success of these films was not exclusive to the UK, as Barbie had the biggest opening weekend of any film in North America, grossing $155 million (£120 million), while Oppenheimer generated $80.5 million (£62.6 million).
Farhan Mehmood, a 21-year-old from Scunthorpe, shared his experience watching both films. He expressed his belief that Barbie, with its profound message, has the potential to resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. Mehmood praised the film’s tagline, “If you grew up with Barbie, this film is for you. If you didn’t, then it’s also for you.” In contrast, Mehmood described Oppenheimer as a thought-provoking and somewhat gloomy film that leaves a lasting impact. He firmly believes that the success of films like Barbie and Oppenheimer can contribute to the revival and preservation of the cinema experience.
Vue International’s record-breaking weekend for UK cinema was fueled by the simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer. These films attracted a diverse audience, resulting in sold-out screenings and high ticket sales. Vue’s success reflects the enduring appeal of watching films on the big screen. Furthermore, the impact of Barbie and Oppenheimer extended beyond the UK, with both films achieving significant box office success globally. The positive reception from audiences demonstrates the power of well-crafted storytelling to captivate viewers and revive the cinema industry.
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