Oppenheimer vs Barbie in India: Christopher Nolan & Co. have their noses ahead in the Atomic-Blonde contest

It's a clash of epic proportions this Friday, July 21, between Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig's Barbie. While the former forays into the mind of real-life J. Robert Oppenheimer who is regarded across the world as the father of the atomic bomb, Gerwig's vibrant and chirpy picture attempts to bring the equally famous & eponymous fashion doll to life. Quite literally. 

For moviegoers across the world, the choice couldn't have been simpler considering that, presumably, no box office face-off in the past has involved two such starkly contrasting films. However, the fact that both Oppenheimer and Barbie are made for the consummate theatrical experience leaves every movie buff in an unnerving dilemma. It's Sophie's Choice all over again.

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The Atomic-Blonde Conundrum

While no trade analyst worth his or her salt would wish to pick a side until the battle is clearly waged, it must be noted that the pundits up there in Hollywood have already reckoned that Barbie will have the upper hand. As reported by Deadline (in a piece dated June 29), the Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer is speculated to close its opening weekend commerce between $80M and $100M with Nolan's spectacle expected to be in the $40M-$50M category. Throw in Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One there and you have got yourself another explosive.

The numbers at the Indian box office, however, with respect to 'Barbenheimer', seem to suggest an even-stevens situation with a few even subtly pointing at Oppenheimer as the probable winner. Nothing is set in stone yet, obviously, but considering parameters such as the IMAX experience and Christopher Nolan's huge fandom in India, it would seem that the biographical drama has its nose in front at the moment. That said, without even daring to underestimate the power of the doll, Barbie has all the potential to pull in family crowds and kids, in particular. 

Another factor(s) to consider here is Oppenheimer's three-hour runtime and the R-Rating it has received, which could mean that it will release in India with an 'A' certificate.

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Oppenheimer: Did you know Christopher Nolan cast his daughter in an interesting part? 

Numbers Suggest Something

To put things in perspective, Oppenheimer's advance bookings have sky-rocketed already with the latest reports (as of July 17) revealing that as many as 90,000 tickets have already been booked in the top 3 national chains in India for Day #1 alone! According to sacnilk.com, the film has the potential to collect over Rs. 5 crores (opening three-day weekend) through IMAX bookings alone, adding that all of the IMAX shows on the opening day are already booked.

Barbie, on the other hand, is by no means struggling but has certainly gotten off to a slow start compared to the large ensemble film which stars Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and others.

According to the same reports, close to 16,000 tickets have already been booked in the national chains for July 21.