Barbenheimer
| Meme | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | Oppenbarbie, Barbieheimer, Boppenheimer |
| Date Started: | 2023 |
| Related: | Doomguy & Isabelle |
| See Also: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
This article or section needs expansion. |
Barbenheimer is a cultural phenomenon and overnight crossover fandom surrounding the 2023 films Barbie and Oppenheimer. It originated in the movies' simultaneous theatrical release on July 21, 2023, leading some to see both (often ironically) as a double feature. The portmanteau may also refer to the crossover crack ship of Barbie and J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Origin and spread
Barbie is a fantasy comedy about the eponymous fashion doll directed by Greta Gerwig and distributed by Warner Bros. In contrast, Oppenheimer is a biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967), a theoretical physicist who directed the Manhattan Project. The film's director, Christopher Nolan, had previously released all of his films through Warner Bros., but announced in September 2021 that Oppenheimer would be distributed by Universal to due his dissatisfaction with Warner's decision to release their 2021 films directly to HBO Max due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2] This has lead to speculation that Warner may have decided to release its 2023 summer tentpole Barbie directly opposite Oppenheimer to get back at Nolan.[3]
Cinemagoers flocked to see Barbie and Oppenheimer on opening day.[4][5][6] Many saw both back-to-back as a double feature.[4][6][5] The "Barbenheimer" phenomenon drew widespread commentary in the media. It also spread elsewhere, such as in shops.[7] The cast and crew of Barbie have reacted to Barbenheimer positively. Barbie star Margot Robbie reportedly planned to see Oppenheimer on opening day with director Gerwig.[6] Robbie weighed in on the debate over viewing order, telling fans to "start your day with 'Barbie,' then go straight into 'Oppenheimer' and then a 'Barbie' chaser."[8] Gerwig was less committed on viewing order, telling fans, "It's all love — double up, double up twice."[9] Issa Rae (President Barbie) stated that she loved seeing the "solidarity" of "people [trying] to pit us against one another, but now it's turned into like a double-feature situation."[9] Rae also felt that fans should see Oppenheimer first and "cleanse your palate" with Barbie,[9] remarking that one "might be a bit of a psychopath" if they saw the darker Oppenheimer second.[8]
Some have compared the Barbenheimer phenomenon to Studio Ghibli's 1988 release of My Neighbor Totoro (a slice-of-life animated children's fantasy film) and Grave of the Fireflies (a grim animated film about orphans in WW2) as a double feature in Japan.[10][11]
Copycat Attempts
- Saw Patrol - Saw X and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
Fanworks
Fanart
- Barbenheimer by aid10 – Barbie/Oppenheimer art based on a scene in West Side Story
- Barbenheimer by DukkoArt
- Oppenbarbie by EmmaTomaa
- Barbenheimer by Herloko
- 90's FANART - BarbienHeimer by JeyraBlue
- Barbenheimer by LaliDraws – Barbie/Oppenheimer art based on the La La Land poster
- barbenheimer by LleviDrawss
- Barbenheimer by Lord-Corr
- Barbenheimer by mannatdraws
- Barbenheimer by shrimpring
- Barbenheimer Color Swap by Stellasin
- Barbenheimer - Fanart by ThwaitesMtt
Gallery
Barbenheimer by artildawn
Barbenheimer by cubiccitrus
Barbenheimer by Eddrawing – J. Robert Oppenheimer depicted in Barbieland.
Barbenheimer by JCaluger – Barbie watching a nuclear explosion.
Oppenheimer and Ken by krait20000
Barbenheimer the Anime by makr0n.jpg
Barbieheimer by MegaCharlie2003
Barbenheimer by Otrebot
Funny Ironic Double Feature by ThePavaoProject – Art of a theatre lobby highlighting the contrast between the films' marketing.
heres a barbenheimer edit I did <3 (July 2023) by ussdefiant
Barbenheimer by v1deopuns – Barbie depicted as J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Resources and Links
References
- ^ Kim Masters, "Christopher Nolan Rips HBO Max as 'Worst Streaming Service,' Denounces Warner Bros.' Plan", The Hollywood Reporter, 7 December 2020
- ^ Mike Flemming Jr, "Christopher Nolan Chooses Universal Pictures For His Film About J. Robert Oppenheimer & The A-Bomb", Deadline Hollywood, 14 September 2021
- ^ Jason Guerrasio, "Christopher Nolan's complicated history with Warner Bros. may have gifted us 'Barbenheimer'', Insider, 13 July 2023
- ^ a b Rebecca Rubin, "'Barbenheimer' Fever: Meet the Film Lovers Turning ‘Barbie’-‘Oppenheimer’ Double Features Into the Movie Event of the Year", Variety, 17 July 2023
- ^ a b Jake Coyle, 'Barbenheimer' arrives as moviegoers flock to a Mattel-mushroom cloud double feature", ABC News, 21 July 2023
- ^ a b c Rachel Treisman, "Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature", NPR, 22 July 2023
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b Lindsay Bahr, "The story behind Barbenheimer, the summer's most online movie showdown", The Washington Post, 14 July 2023
- ^ a b c Kirsten Chubo, "Greta Gerwig on 'Barbie' vs. 'Oppenheimer' Battle and Margot Robbie’s Already-Iconic Foot: 'I Did Always Think of the Arched Foot as a Bat Signal'", The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2023
- ^ Rafael Motamayor, "That Time Studio Ghibli Traumatized A Generation With Their Own Barbenheimer", Slash Film, 23 July 2023
- ^ Megan Peters, Before Barbenheimer, Studio Ghibli Had the Wildest Double Feature Ever, Comicbook.com, 24 July 2023