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Twitter Users Discover That The Barbie Oppenheimer Phenomenon Is Nothing New

June 16, 2023

Greta Gerwig’s much anticipated “Barbie” is notoriously hitting theaters the same day as Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”, and fans of both directors cannot get over the vast genre divide hitting movie theaters that weekend. Today, a Twitter user named Trish (@ULTRAGLOSS) realized that another of Nolan’s films, “The Dark Knight”, debuted on the same day as “Mamma Mia,” another cult-classic female led film.

just found out mamma mia and the dark knight came out on the same day in 2008….barbie and oppenheimer 1.0…..

— trish (@ULTRAGLOSS) June 16, 2023

Twitter users were shocked at the twist of pop culture history repeating itself.

christopher nolan always at the scene of the crime

— issa phae | HWASA 9/6 (@mizphantasm) June 16, 2023

One Twitter user recounted seeing both 2008 films on the same day, something that many “Barbie” viewers vow to do. Many Gen Z and millennial moviegoers recalled memories from the infamous box office weekend that swept theaters over a decade ago.

and i definitely saw both on the same day at 11 years old

— michele my bell (@flyhighmichelee) June 16, 2023

Another recalled her mother seeing “Mamma Mia” while the rest of the family saw “Dark Knight.”

My mom went and saw Mamma Mia alone while the rest of the family saw The Dark Night at midnight

— amelia♛ (@tharealamelia) June 16, 2023

The Stories And Reactions

Another Twitter user reminded social media that they did not have to pick sides. Both movies are already receiving high praise from early reviews.

Not that anyone cares, but I also saw both on that same day and it was one of the Top 10 Days of my life.

— Andrew Stinger (@andrewstinger) June 16, 2023

Meanwhile, others conspired that Nolan was planning his releases with purpose, so as to drum up press coverage.

christopher nolan has to be doing this on purpose

— Manic Pixie Gut Problems (@talkalot_360) June 16, 2023

Others joked that Nolan produces films for fathers who come to theaters to drop their kids off at other films.

Or he's going for a target demographic of dads that have to drive their family to the movie theater but don't want to see the movie they're seeing

— Manic Pixie Gut Problems (@talkalot_360) June 16, 2023

Of course, the “Barbie” memes continued. One Twitter user shared a Barbie x Oppenheimer poster.

mamma mia! here we go again… pic.twitter.com/uwn7LsiaHp

— ice (@iceriot2000) June 16, 2023

As history repeated itself with a Nolan film release coinciding with a female-led comedy, film buffs are manifesting that 15 years from now, the tradition will continue.

15 years on, the legacy needs to be carried on

— xenophobe (@heung_minded) June 16, 2023

Stars of both films have not commented on the battle of the box office at this time. Both Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who star in “Barbie” as the titular Barbie and Ken, continue to share humorous on set anecdotes ahead of its release.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Barbie” is expected to have a lead over “Oppenheimer” when the films hit the box office on July 21. Neither Gerwig nor Nolan have spoken about the ensuing memes surrounding the coinciding release dates of their respective films.