Oppenheimer bests Barbie at the global box office

Since its debut, Christopher Nolan’s R-rated atomic bomb-related Oppenheimer was trailing behind Barbie. The pastel pink picture has gone on to become a billion-dollar baby, solidifying Mattel’s future in the film industry with over a dozen films in the works.

As reported by Collider, the three-hour film managed to best Barbie in a single weekend. This increase was despite a 23% decrease in earnings in North America, but those sales were still boosted thanks to many theaters offering $4 tickets to celebrate National Cinema Day, which fell on a Sunday. It also managed to earn $30.7 million in international markets.

Nolan’s biopic drama also got a boost internationally thanks to its delayed release in Italy. There, it grossed $9.7 million, meanwhile, in another region where it was delayed — Greece — opening to a so-so $877,164. Italy’s release, in particular, is notable as it’s secured a record there — the highest-ever opening weekend in the territory for IMAX screenings.

Oppenheimer is Nolan’s highest-grossing film, surpassing even The Dark Knight Rises. Currently, it’s poised to cross $800 million as it’s opened in China this week. If all goes as expected, the film will become the second highest-grossing R-rated film of all-time, second only to Todd Phillips’ Joker.