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Michael b. jordan’s outlier society developing drew pearce & nick cuse action thriller ‘t-minus’ for amazon mgm studios, tom cruise lays out plan to see ‘oppenheimer’ & ‘barbie’ on their opening weekend.

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Tom Cruise is on a mission to watch both Oppenheimer and Barbie on their opening weekend and is opening up about how he’ll make it happen.

“I want to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer . I’ll see them opening weekend,” he said per The Sydney Morning Herald . “Friday I’ll see Oppenheimer first and then Barbie on Saturday.”

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Cruise has made it no secret of his intentions to hit the Cineplex to see Oppenheimer and Barbie and recently showed off his tickets as proof .

“This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters,” he tweeted. “Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history. I love a double feature, and it doesn’t get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie .”

This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters. Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history. I love a double feature, and it doesn't get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie. pic.twitter.com/udWHHj4fAe — Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) June 28, 2023

Cruise is highly credited for bringing audiences back to theaters when Top Gun: Maverick broke records over the summer. The actor is also preparing to hit theaters again as Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One opens July 12, a week before Oppenheimer and Barbie .

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SHOCKER: Tom Cruise Reveals All! Here's The Order He Plans To See Barbie And Oppenheimer

Both Greta Gerwig's ultra-pink, kid-friendly fantasy "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's terse biography "Oppenheimer" will be released on July 21, 2023. One promises to be a fluffy look at one of the most popular toy products ever made, while still interrogating the negative impact it had on the world. The other will be a deep look into the mind of a man whose brilliance and engineering acumen created one of the most deadly weapons ever conceived by humankind. The audiences for the two films could not be more different. 

Or could they? Enterprising cineastes the world over have been intrigued by both Gerwig's and Nolan's movies, and delight in the bizarre juxtaposition of the two being counterprogrammed in theaters against one another. As such, one might find that some audience members fully intend to go to their local multiplex on July 21 and construct one of the most jarring double features imaginable. The term "Barbenheimer" has become a minor meme in recent months, happily blending the two prospective film experiences into one. One can even find Barbenheimer t-shirts on Etsy.

Of course, the question remains: which film does one watch first? Do you start with a frothy, lighthearted romp, have a drink, and then contemplate the destruction of the Earth via nuclear bomb? Or does one start with the longer, headier film, and chase it with something colorful?

One notable fan asking this question is Tom Cruise, star of "Taps" and "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One." He, like many of us, intends to see "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" on their opening weekend. He also, as he revealed in a recent interview with Variety , has a plan of action.

Cruise's Barbenheimer plans

Cruise, it seems, has no plans to marathon both films on the same day. Gerwig's "Barbie" is a surprisingly long 114 minutes, while Nolan's "Oppenheimer" is a hefty 180 minutes. Add in a 15-minute break for coffee, as well as the typical theater's coming attractions reels, and that's about six straight hours at the theater. This is not feasible for viewers who have day jobs or require babysitters. Cruise is likely a busy guy — his own new action blockbuster will be playing in theaters alongside "Barbenheimer" — so he'll be splitting up the experiences. His plan: 

"I want to see both 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer.' I'll see them opening weekend. Friday, I'll see Oppenheimer' first and then 'Barbie' on Saturday."

Fine. A hefty movie for a Friday night, then a Saturday matinee to unwind. This is as good a plan as any. 

How one orders "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" may well depend on your disposition. If one wants to leave the theater in a hopeful mood, pondering that little kids can take hope from their toys and construct identities for themselves, then finish with "Barbie." If one prefers to leave a theater with a great weight on their brain, contemplating how humankind's implied promise of a grand technological future was ultimately betrayed by the construction of an atomic bomb, then definitely finish with "Oppenheimer." Personally, I would skew toward the latter. Either way, I'd be interested to hear reviews from people — including Cruise — who tried doubling up. 

It's been theorized that any two films, when watched back-to-back, seem to share a thematic link. Perhaps the link would be different if "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" were watched in a certain order. 

How would you construct a Barbenheimer double feature?

Screen Rant

Tom cruise reveals whether he's seeing barbie or oppenheimer first.

Tom Cruise reveals whether he's going to see Barbie or Oppenheimer first in theaters, as Mission: Impossible 7 faces off against both movies.

Hollywood icon Tom Cruise reveals whether he is planning to watch Barbie or Oppenheimer first. Both major releases are set to open in theaters on July 21 and have been pitted against one another in one of the biggest box office battles of recent times. The Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie , based on the Mattel toy of the same name, stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, and will go toe to toe with Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer's development of the nuclear bomb, in a battle that has been dubbed "Barbenheimer" on social media.

Cruise was recently in Sydney celebrating his 61st birthday by attending the Australian premiere of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One , and spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald about the two movies releasing a week after the seventh installment of his beloved action spy franchise. Discussing the upcoming releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer , the Top Gun star revealed that he plans to see both films, and that he still enjoys going to the movies, stating, " I love seeing movies on the big screen ." Cruise said:

“I want to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer . I’ll see them opening weekend. Friday I’ll see Oppenheimer first and then Barbie on Saturday.”

How Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Could Fare Against Barbie & Oppenheimer

Cruise has enjoyed one of the most successful and enduring careers in the film industry, and his Mission: Impossible franchise will compete with both Barbie and Oppenheimer over the summer, with Dead Reckoning due for a July 12 release. Cruise was reportedly outspoken about the movies taking IMAX screens from Dead Reckoning , which might impact its box office success. Hot off the back of Top Gun: Maverick 's mammoth 2022 box office haul of $1.496 billion, a lot of attention is being placed on how Mission: Impossible 7 fares.

Related: Dead Reckoning Beating Top Gun 2's Box Office Is Tom Cruise's Real Mission: Impossible

While Cruise's concerns may not be unfounded, the signs do seem to point to Mission: Impossible 7 doing just fine, with the previous installment passing the $800 million mark. Indeed, Dead Reckoning passing the coveted $1 billion threshold is not out of the question, which is expected to be enough to beat both Barbie and Oppenheimer , even if it did lose IMAX screens and also faces competition from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny .

Projections certainly look strong for Mission: Impossible 7 , while early box office predictions have Barbie opening ahead of Oppenheimer . It is worth mentioning that despite the report indicating Cruise was unhappy with Dead Reckoning losing IMAX screens, he has been incredibly supportive of both Barbie and Oppenheimer , and has called on audiences to come out to theaters to see a wide variety of movies this summer. The competition between Barbie and Oppenheimer could mark the rebirth of the theatrical summer tentpole battles that were once a staple of the Hollywood box office.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature

Rachel Treisman

Jeffrey Williams (left), who rented out a Barbie screening for his birthday, and Andrew Roof pose next to an Oppenheimer poster at the Regal Gallery Place in Washington, D.C., on Friday night. Rachel Treisman/NPR hide caption

Jeffrey Williams (left), who rented out a Barbie screening for his birthday, and Andrew Roof pose next to an Oppenheimer poster at the Regal Gallery Place in Washington, D.C., on Friday night.

The two big movies hitting theaters this weekend couldn't be more different.

There's Oppenheimer , Christopher Nolan's sprawling biographical thriller about the man known as the father of the atomic bomb, which the director has said will leave viewers "absolutely devastated." And there's Greta Gerwig's Barbie , a fantasy comedy with original songs and enough pink paint to prompt a real-life shortage .

Together, they form Barbenheimer. Or is it Oppenbarbie? Boppenheimer?

Movie Reviews

Go see 'barbie' and 'oppenheimer' in theaters — doubleheader or not is your call.

Whatever you call it, it's blown up into a cultural juggernaut.

Warner Bros. and Mattel unleashed a powerful Barbie marketing blitz , with over 100 official brand collaborations . Retailers and restaurants have followed suit, offering their own twist on " Barbiecore ."

And while Oppenheimer has taken a more subdued approach, all the hype appears to have given both movies a boost.

For weeks people have been making memes and merchandise celebrating the mashup, effectively transforming a box-office battle into an unlikely double feature.

And it seems many people are actually committing to the bit: The National Association of Theatre Owners projects that more than 200,000 moviegoers will attend same-day viewings of both movies across North America this weekend.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

A 'barbie' v. 'oppenheimer' game.

"This weekend has captured the cultural imagination in an unprecedented way," association President and CEO Michael O'Leary, told NPR in a statement. "People ... are flocking to the theatres in groups, with family, friends, neighbors, to celebrate two different, but amazing motion pictures."

Sixteen percent of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain's guests have bought tickets to both films, a spokesperson for the chain, which has 39 locations, told NPR in an email Friday. Roughly two-thirds of those seeing both are starting with Oppenheimer , the spokesperson said.

NPR spoke to more than a half-dozen people at a Washington, D.C., movie theater who were there to see one or both movies Friday night. Several of them doing the double feature — either on the same day or back-to-back nights — said they were in it largely for the experience.

Mishaela Robison, who saw Barbie on Thursday, was back at the theater with two friends the next night to watch Oppenheimer and then Barbie again. They said they had decided earlier in the day to double on Barbie because they had loved it so much, and because they'd bought a movie subscription pass months ago to lower the cost.

They agreed they probably wouldn't be seeing the former — at least on opening weekend — if not for the latter.

"I wouldn't see Oppenheimer , but I would see Barbenheimer," Robison said.

What's the deal with these movies?

Both movies come from directors with devoted fanbases, feature ensemble casts and grapple with existential dread — to varying degrees.

Oppenheimer tells the story of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Peaky Blinders ' Cillian Murphy), who directed the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II and helped develop the country's first nuclear weapons. Nolan has described him as "the most important person who ever lived."

'Barbie' is pretty in pink — but will she also be profitable?

Upon seeing the first successful bomb test in the New Mexico desert in 1945, Oppenheimer reportedly quoted a Hindu scripture: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds" — now available on a T-shirt in pink curlicue script, as it happens.

The three-hour epic is based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Martin Sherwin and Kai Bird. It's the 12th film by Nolan, whose previous blockbusters include "The Dark Knight" trilogy, Inception and Dunkirk .

Barbie , on the other hand, follows the Mattel icon (played by Margot Robbie) as she experiences an existential crisis: "Do you guys ever think about dying?" she asks on the dance floor at one point in the trailer.

Is 'Barbie' corporate propaganda or Malibu Metacommentary™? Why not both!

She and Ken (a very committed Ryan Gosling) leave idyllic-looking Barbieland behind to explore the real world and discover "the truth about the universe."

Indie director Gerwig wrote the screenplay with her partner Noah Baumbach. This is her third film as solo director, after Lady Bird and Little Women.

The movie, which clocks in at just under two hours, amounts to both corporate propaganda and Malibu metacommentary, NPR's Aisha Harris writes .

Advertisements for Oppenheimer and Barbie are seen above the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Advertisements for Oppenheimer and Barbie are seen above the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday.

Why did they come out on the same day?

It's increasingly rare for two such high-profile movies to hit theaters on the same day.

Some think it might have to do with Nolan leaving Warner Bros. (after its controversial decision to release its 2021 movies in theaters and on its streaming service simultaneously) and make Oppenheimer with Universal instead.

Their theory is that Warner Bros. chose to release Barbie the same day out of spite. When asked about this by Insider at a recent press event, Nolan chuckled and refused to answer.

Trinity and the Birth of the Atomic Bomb

'american prometheus' authors on 'the triumph and tragedy of j. robert oppenheimer'.

Opposite blockbusters have been pitted against each other in the past, like 10 Things I Hate About You opening against The Matrix in 1999. And, in a much-discussed parallel , Nolan's The Dark Knight premiered on the same day as Mamma Mia in the summer of 2008.

Experts say releasing two different genres of movies on the same day can actually be good for business, especially if they appeal to distinct demographics.

And it certainly appears to be fueling ticket sales for both Barbie and Oppenheimer , whose target audiences may not be as segmented as some originally thought.

One Twitter user went viral back in April for suggesting that there would be little overlap. He was immediately inundated with tweets — many from women in STEM — proving otherwise.

Did the 'Barbie' movie really cause a run on pink paint? Let's get the full picture

The Barbenheimer frenzy has reached a fever pitch in the weeks since.

Viral social media memes have poked fun at everything from the movies' opposing aesthetics to viewers' requisite costume changes to the sheer volume of the hype itself.

People have started making Barbie/Oppenheimer posters featuring a massive pink mushroom cloud. And sites like Etsy and Redbubble are selling all kinds of crossover T-shirts, mixing and matching the movies' slogans and visuals.

"It's Mattel versus the Manhattan Project and BarbenHeimer," Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, told NPR's Mandalit del Barco . "That just means that this is going viral, and that's good news for both Barbie and Oppenheimer ."

What does an internet phenomenon look like in real life?

Deneen Nabinett and her daughters dressed up for Barbie on Friday, after seeing Oppenheimer the previous night. Rachel Treisman/NPR hide caption

Deneen Nabinett and her daughters dressed up for Barbie on Friday, after seeing Oppenheimer the previous night.

The crowd at the Regal Gallery Place in downtown D.C. was awash in hues of bright pink and glittering rhinestones on Friday night, as groups gathered in the lobby for evening showings of Barbie and, in some cases, Oppenheimer too.

Jeffrey Williams, rocking a replica of Robbie's Western-inspired outfit from the movie, was celebrating not only opening night but his 26th birthday. He had called ahead back in May to reserve a theater to screen Barbie with more than 50 friends.

"I'm just an extra human being ... if the outfit doesn't sell that enough, and so I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate," said Williams, who plans to see Oppenheimer next weekend. "I think it's probably the biggest movie cultural day in a while, so can't pass that up."

Even movie regulars said they were surprised by the size of the crowds.

Deneen Nabinett and her daughters say they come to the theater every Friday, but had to split their double feature into two nights in order to get their preferred seats. They saw Oppenheimer first on Thursday, and Nabinett said — on her way out of Barbie — that the order didn't really matter.

"Either way we wanted to see both of them, so I'm just glad it worked out," she said.

Not everyone NPR spoke with was in the midst of a double feature.

It's Been a Minute

The spectacular femininity of bimbos and 'barbie'.

Brandon Thomas said he's a fan of Nolan and has been waiting to see Oppenheimer for months — and says while he doesn't care much about Barbie, he'll probably see it eventually.

"I'm just glad people are in the theaters," he added.

And the costumes weren't only for Barbie . Robison dressed up for Oppenheimer , wearing a vintage, long-sleeved turquoise dress that she said her grandmother used to wear to work when she was around her age.

"It really reminds me of Barbie , even if it's not a Barbie fit, because it's about the ties of femininity and there's a really good line in [the movie] about mothers and daughters and the work mothers do so their daughters can see how far they've come," she explained. "And I have composed a very nice text to send her about all of this."

Robison, 24 and her friend Margaret Murphy, 23, compared Barbenheimer to another ongoing cultural phenomenon — Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, for which people have been dressing up in aesthetically similar outfits and shelling out money for Swift-themed merchandise and experiences, too.

"I feel a little bit of fomo with the Eras Tour," Murphy said. "And so getting to have my own little Eras Tour, where I got a dress for Barbie last night, and I felt like a little princess going to see Barbie, and it being so influential for my life, it felt like such a good, well-rounded moment."

Mishaela Robison and Margaret Murphy made Barbenheimer-themed friendship bracelets to give out at the theater in a nod to another cultural phenomenon, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Rachel Treisman/NPR hide caption

Mishaela Robison and Margaret Murphy made Barbenheimer-themed friendship bracelets to give out at the theater in a nod to another cultural phenomenon, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

The two even took a page out of the Eras Tour playbook by making friendship bracelets , which Swifties have been exchanging in the crowds at concerts. But instead of referencing Swift lyrics or album titles, their beaded creations said things like "Kenergy" and "Barbenheimer."

Robison said she had been inspired by that embrace of femininity and expression of solidarity and figured they would transfer well to Barbie too — she'd been giving out bracelets at the theater.

"And hopefully it'll be a cultural moment people remember," she added. "So maybe it'll go in a museum in a hundred years."

What's the ideal viewing order?

There's been so much chatter about seeing both movies that it's even spurred a spirited online debate : Which one should you watch first?

Spending five-plus hours in a movie theater is no small commitment, and there's been a lot of discussion on how best to go about it. Do you start with Oppenheimer and some strong coffee, and finish with Barbie and a dance party? Or do you ease in with a Barbie brunch so you can drag your depleted self straight to bed when it's all over?

Coffee and face masks at 10AM Mimosas and glam 11:30AM Barbie movie 2PM Joint at 4:30PM Olive Garden 5PM Oppenheimer 7PM Applebees Happy Hour 10PM https://t.co/eWowDFZzat — Jacqueline (@jvckierios) June 24, 2023

While public opinion seems to favor ending on a lighter note, there are compelling arguments to be made for each side, as Slate reports .

Some experts have weighed in, too.

Robbie, Barbie herself, called it a "perfect double bill" at her movie's premiere last week .

"I think actually start your day with 'Barbie,' then go straight into 'Oppenheimer' and then a 'Barbie' chaser," she said.

In search of tunes for your 'Barbenheimer' pregame? Look no further

Tom Cruise, whose latest "Mission: Impossible" movie opened in theaters last week, said at his premiere that he plans to see both, likely starting with Oppenheimer . Others have endorsed his approach.

"If you see Oppenheimer last then you might be a bit of a psychopath," Barbie actor Issa Rae said.

Gerwig told The Hollywood Reporter that she also recommends treating Barbie as a palate cleanser.

"I want to have mimosas and drinks and cocktails after Barbie , I don't want to, like, sulk," she said. "That's just my plan, as long as you're seeing Barbie I don't care."

What's Hollywood saying?

Those who worked on the movies appear to be enjoying the rivalry-turned-alliance.

A picture of Gerwig and Robbie posing with their Oppenheimer theater tickets last month, for example, sent the internet into another minor frenzy.

Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie with their opening night tickets for ‘OPPENHEIMER’. pic.twitter.com/VHwFuxst6d — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 30, 2023

"I love that there's solidarity though, where people tried to pit us against one another but now it's turned into like a double-feature situation," Gerwig told THR .

She also told USA Today that she feels "very shiny" to be associated with Oppenheimer , adding that "a rising tide lifts all boats."

Nolan told Insider that many in the industry have been longing for "a crowded marketplace with a lot of different movies."

"That's what theaters have now, and those of us who care about movies are thrilled about that," he said.

3 lessons past Hollywood strikes can teach us about the current moment

Oppenheimer actor Emily Blunt, who wore "Barbie" pink heels to her movie's premiere, similarly told USA TODAY that the other film's cast has been "so supportive" toward hers.

"It doesn't have to be competitive!" she said. "It's really cool and that's what we want: that full spectrum of what you can see in movie theaters. We love it."

An important note: Now that SAG-AFTRA is on strike, the actors are officially prohibited from promoting their movies. That's why the Oppenheimer stars walked out of the London premiere last week, and why Robbie's glamorous parade of Barbie-inspired red carpet outfits was cut short.

And don't worry, you can watch the movies without crossing the proverbial picket line.

SAG-AFTRA is not calling for a consumer boycott of movie theaters or streaming services at this time, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told NPR in an email.

"There may well come a time when we ask fans to send their message of support through direct economic action, but for now, we hope that they will inform themselves about our cause and share that information with their network of family, friends, and colleagues," he said.

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Tom Cruise Endorses Your Barbie and Oppenheimer Double Feature

By Savannah Walsh

When Steven Spielberg proclaimed that Tom Cruise “saved Hollywood’s ass” with the unequivocal box office success of Top Gun: Maverick at last year’s Oscar nominees luncheon, Cruise took that to heart—and made it his mission to support the theatrical box office business for years to come.

Consider the opening bell on summer movie season rung. On Wednesday, Cruise shared photos of himself holding movie tickets for various big-screen titles alongside the following message: “This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters. Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history.” Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth installment in the blockbuster franchise, hits theaters on June 30.

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Cruise then acknowledged the two tentpoles that have become inextricably linked thanks to their shared release date— Greta Gerwig ’s Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy. “I love a double feature, and it doesn’t get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie ,” he said of the films, both of which debut on July 21.

He’s not the only A-lister to weigh in on the battle of atomic bomb versus arched foot. Matt Damon, who stars in Oppenheimer as General Leslie Groves, director of the top-secret Manhattan Project who appointed Oppenheimer as developer of nuclear weapons, also supports back-to-back viewing with Barbie . “People are allowed to go see two movies in a weekend. Oppenheimer is one of them!” he said with a laugh when asked about its box office competition by Vanity Fair at the Air premiere. But he admits his daughters may opt to see Barbie instead. “I’ll have to ask them that,” Damon said. If that’s the case, they’ll see two movies that weekend!”

Cruise’s own summer blockbuster, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is set to fly into theaters smack-dab in the middle of summer movie season, on July 12.

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Even Tom Cruise is planning a Barbie and Oppenheimer double feature

We come to this place for magic.

Jessica is a staff writer at Entertainment Weekly, where she covers TV, movies, and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Bustle, NYLON, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and more. She lives in California with her dog.

Tom Cruise , ex-husband of AMC ad sensation Nicole Kidman , is emboldening moviegoers to flock to the theaters this summer.

The movie star encouraged a double feature of Greta Gerwig 's Barbie and Christopher Nolan 's Oppenheimer, both in theaters July 21, in a Twitter post celebrating the riches of the summer movie season. That also includes James Mangold 's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny , which marks Harrison Ford 's last outing as the famed archaeologist.

"This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters," Cruise wrote. "Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history. I love a double feature, and it doesn't get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie ."

Cruise will also be fronting a blockbuster this summer with Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One , in theaters July 12. The pressure's on, as Cruise's last summer outing, Top Gun: Maverick , grossed a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide. In the aftermath of its success, filmmaker Steven Spielberg was overheard telling Cruise that he was "saving Hollywood's ass" as the industry attempts to rebound from the pandemic.

As for the Barbie vs. Oppenheimer discourse, Matt Damon , who stars opposite Cillian Murphy in the war drama, previously encouraged a double feature , telling Vanity Fair last month, "People are allowed to go see two movies in a weekend. Oppenheimer is one of them!" As for which title his family would prefer to hit first (Damon shares four daughters with wife Luciana Barroso), he said, "I'll have to ask them that. If that's the case, they'll see two movies that weekend!"

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Related content:

• Pom Klementieff asked Tom Cruise to kick her in the stomach for Mission: Impossible fight scene
• Mission: Impossible star Simon Pegg calls Tom Cruise bike stunt a 'nail-biting experience'
• Tom Cruise rides off a cliff, trashes train in new Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One trailer

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Tom Cruise Is Doing an 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie' Double Feature Too: 'Doesn't Get More Explosive'

The "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One" star shared his excitement for some of the upcoming films he wants to watch in theaters

Monica Schipper/WireImage

Tom Cruise is showing some love for his fellow filmmakers and actors!

The Hollywood icon — gearing up for the theatrical release of his own film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One next month — took a break from his action-packed schedule to tweet about some of the summer movies he is looking forward to watching himself.

Among the films he praised were Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny , the long-awaited sequel starring Harrison Ford as the legendary adventurer (out Friday), the atomic-bomb biographical thriller Oppenheimer starring Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Barbie with Margot Robbie as the famous toy. The latter two films will be released on the same day: July 21.

“This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters,” Cruise wrote alongside photos of himself and his Dead Reckoning — Part One director Christopher McQuarrie in front of each of the films' respective posters.

"Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history," added the actor, 60, "I love a double feature, and it doesn't get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Cruise was recently on the red carpet in Rome for the world premiere of Dead Reckoning Part One, as previously reported by PEOPLE, praising how people of different cultures "all join together to enjoy cinema" as he gave a speech from the city's famous Spanish Steps, according to Variety .

"It’s something that I grew up with, that made me and inspired me to dream and want to travel the world," Cruise said. “My goal since I was little was to make movies and travel. And not just be a tourist, but work in that world and understand their culture."

"Through my movies, I’ve been able to have that because everyone here has allowed me to entertain them. It’s a privilege that I have never taken for granted," he continued in his speech, highlighting the importance of seeing movies in theaters. "It’s my passion to entertain you, and I will always fight for big theaters and that kind of experience for everyone.”

Cruise joined his longtime collaborator McQuarrie, 54, along with some of the stars of the film, such as Esai Morales , Simon Pegg , Frederick Schmidt, Shea Whigham , Mariela Garriga, Rebecca Ferguson , Hayley Atwell , Pom Klementieff and Vanessa Kirby .

TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty

The star complimented his collaboration with McQuarrie — who directed the last two Mission: Impossible movies and also wrote 2022's Top Gun: Maverick — during his speech, saying the director has "had a hand in every single film I’ve made over the past 16 years."

"He is my creative brother and an exceptional human being,” Cruise said.

McQuarrie and Cruise have been working together since at least 2008, when McQuarrie wrote the script for Valkyrie . He later directed Cruise for the first time in 2012’s Jack Reacher , which led to him becoming the Mission: Impossible franchise’s director starting with 2015’s Rogue Nation .

In the series’ newest entry since 2018,  Dead Reckoning Part One follows Cruise's Ethan Hunt and his IMF team racing their most perilous mission: to stop a horrifying weapon that endangers mankind before it’s too late.

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One is in theaters July 12.

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Tom Cruise is all in on Barbie-Oppenheimer double feature: ‘It doesn’t get more explosive (or more pink)’

Fans have been debating what order to see the blockbusters, which both release on 21 july, article bookmarked.

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It’s less than a month until two of the biggest movies of the year are released on the same day – and Tom Cruise is excited.

Greta Gerwig ’s Barbie – starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling – and Christopher Nolan ’s Oppenheimer – starring Cillian Murphy – are both due for release on 21 July.

As a result, cinemagoers have been planning on watching the two blockbusters as a double feature and are now debating in what order to watch them.

Cruise, whose own summer action film Mission: Impossible – Dead Ref10ckoning Part One is out on 12 July, has expressed his desire to see the movies back-to-back.

In a tweet shared on Wednesday (28 June), the 60-year-old Top Gun star also praised Harrison Ford on his fifth and final Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny , which is released in cinemas on Friday 30 June.

• Tom Cruise refused to kick co-star Pom Klementieff while filming Mission: Impossible 7
• Tom Cruise reveals morbid reason why Mission: Impossible 7 stunt was shot on the first day of filming
• Margot Robbie shares secret behind viral Barbie high heels scene

“This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theatres,” Cruise wrote.

“Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history. I love a double feature, and it doesn’t get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie .”

Cruise is known for passionately promoting the cinema industry. Earlier this year, Steven Spielberg was filmed telling the actor he’d “saved Hollywood’s ass” thanks to his $1.5bn-grossing Top Gun revival, Maverick.

At the Dead Reckoning UK premiere last week, Cruise told Insider : “I’m always pushing. I just remember, every time they say, ‘Can you top it? Can you not top it?’, we’re always pushing.

“Every film I do, whatever genre it’s in, I want to make it as entertaining as possible for that audience. I know I can do things better.”

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In the seventh film in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise join forces with Avengers star Hayley Atwell to track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens humanity.

For the most part, reviewers have fawned over Cruise and the film’s breathtaking action sequences . Back in April, the star treated Cinemacon attendees to an “epic” 20-minute motorcycle chase sequence from the movie , which saw the 60-year-old action star bombing around the Italian capital.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is out in cinemas 12 July.

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Margot Robbie "Accepted" Tom Cruise's Mission To Pose With Tickets To See Each Other's Film, And It’s So Perfect

"Mission: Accepted!"

BuzzFeed Staff

Margot Robbie is an Oscar nominee, blockbuster movie star, and perhaps most importantly a supportive industry colleague.

Margot has been out in full force alongside her costars and director Greta Gerwig to promote Barbie , which hits theaters on July 21.

Much has been made about Barbie and the film Oppenheimer opening on the same day. They're both packed with star-studded casts and were directed by notable filmmakers. Before Barbie , Greta directed Little Women and Lady Bird, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan was also behind The Dark Night and Inception , among other films.

But those aren't the only two major films opening in the next few weeks. Tom Cruise's latest film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, opens in theaters about a week before, on July 12.

Plus, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, premiered on Friday.

All of this has some cinephiles faced with the task of choosing what films to see over the next few weeks and in which order. Online, fans planning to see Barbie and Oppenheimer as a double feature on July 21 are referring to the event as "Barbenheimer."

As for the stars of these four blockbuster films, two leads have publicly spread the love for their colleagues. On Wednesday, Tom Cruise tweeted photos of himself and Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie with tickets to their competing three films.

"This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters. Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history. I love a double feature, and it doesn't get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie ," he wrote.

This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters. Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history. I love a double feature, and it doesn't get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie. pic.twitter.com/udWHHj4fAe — Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) June 28, 2023

Just days later, Margot and Greta followed in Tom and Christopher's footsteps by posing with tickets to their three competing films.

"Mission: Accepted!" the Barbie Twitter account wrote alongside the photos of Margot and Greta holding tickets in front of posters for Mission Impossible, Oppenheimer, and Indiana Jones .

Mission: Accepted! pic.twitter.com/DJ2gm5e4XU — Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) June 30, 2023

It really is a big time for movies at the theaters, and it's nice to see stars supporting one another. Now, Indiana Jones and Oppenheimer, it's your turns to hop on the ticket trend.

Share this article.

Tom Cruise vs Oppenheimer vs Barbie: which movie are you most excited for?

Between July's three biggest movies, which one are you most looking forward to?

In the span of nine days in July, movie fans are going to be in heaven. On July 12, Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One , releases worldwide, then on July 21 we get the one-two punch of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie's Barbie . There probably hasn't been a run of such highly anticipated movies releasing in such a short window since pre-COVID; all three movies made WTW's list of blockbuster movies we're excited to see this summer.

As of publication, there's still more than a month before any of those movies are available to watch, but a rivalry among the three of them is already brewing. 

The one between Oppenhimer and Barbie has been talked about for a while, pretty much since we learned they were going to release on the same day. But a recent report by Puck News revealed that Tom Cruise may have his own beef over Oppenheimer taking away IMAX movie screens away from the latest Mission: Impossible and is pushing to change their minds.

Most of this is just business and hype around these movies. As Matt Damon, who stars in Oppenheimer , correctly pointed out , there is no rule against people going to only one movie in a weekend; there are even ways to help make multiple trips more affordable with movie theater subscriptions and membership deals if that's a worry. We know we'll certainly be seeing these movies on the big screen as soon as we can. Oppenheimer and Barbie could make for a fun double feature.

But, in all fairness, it is kind of fun to stack these movies against each other. We'll have to wait to see how they compare at the box office, but we can find out right now how excited you, the average moviegoer, are about each one of these films.

So, between the new Mission: Impossible , Oppenheimer and Barbie , which one are you most eager to see?

You can cast your vote in the poll below, but here's a brief rundown of each movie in case you need some additional info to help make your pick.

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Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One

Release date : July 12 Starring : Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Shea Whigham and Henry Czerny What's it about : Dead Reckoning is the seventh movie in Cruise's Mission: Impossible franchise, and as the Part One of the title suggests, the first half of a larger story. We don't know a lot of plot specifics, but we do know it is going to deliver another incredible Tom Cruise stunt , which some are calling his biggest stunt ever . It has felt like each Mission: Impossible movie has been better than the last (OK, maybe not Mission: Impossible II ), we can only hope that continues here.

Release date : July 21 Starring : Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Helen Mirren, John Cena, Emma Mackey, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Kingsley Ben-Adir and plenty more. What it's about : Greta Gerwig wrote the script with her partner Noah Baumbach ( Marriage Story ), so get ready to have your expectations rocked for what a Barbie movie can be. From the trailer, Barbie (Robbie) begins to have questions about the Barbie-centric world she inhabits and must venture into the real world to get some answers. The movie looks colorful, absolutely hilarious and stuffed to the brim with fun actors.

Oppenheimer

Release date : July 21 Starring : Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Jack Quaid, Gary Oldman, Olivia Thirlby, Josh Peck and Benny Safdie What it's about : Nolan tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, considered the father of the atomic bomb. If that doesn't necessarily sound like a blockbuster movie to you, consider that Nolan reportedly recreated a nuclear explosion without the use of CGI. Add in that he shot the movie in IMAX, it has a reported three-hour run time and it is the first R-rated movie of Nolan's in 20 years and there's plenty of intrigue around Oppenheimer .

Let us know which of the three movies you are most excited to see when they release in July (though we hope you see all of them).

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca , Moulin Rouge! , Silence of the Lambs , Children of Men , One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars . On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd .

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Tom Cruise reveals which film he will watch first: 'Oppenheimer' or 'Barbie'

Tom cruise is currently on tour promoting his upcoming film 'mission: impossible-dead reckoning part one'. during one of his interviews, he displayed immense support towards 'barbie' and 'oppenheimer', that are releasing just 10 days after cruise's film..

Listen to Story

• Tom Cruise will be next seen in 'Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One'.
• The film is scheduled for a release on July 12.
• It is the seventh installment in the franchise.

TOM CRUISE TALKS ABOUT HIS BARBIE-OPPENHEIMER PLANS

On Monday, July 3, Tom Cruise celebrated his 61st birthday by attending the Australian premiere of 'Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One' at Darling Harbour’s International Convention Centre in Sydney. Cruise was joined by co-stars Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Simon Pegg.

When he was asked about which film he will watch first, out of 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer', he said, “I want to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer. I’ll see them opening weekend. Friday I’ll see Oppenheimer first and then Barbie on Saturday," Tom told The Sydney Morning Herald, when he was in the Australian capital for the premiere of the upcoming film.

'Oppenheimer', starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role of nuclear scientist, Robert Oppenheimer; and 'Barbie', starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in a film based on the Mattel Barbie and Ken dolls, will release in cinemas on the same day, July 21. Tom's action thriller 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' will hit the theatres only nine days prior to that, on July 12.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tom Cruise (@tomcruise)

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Barbie or Oppenheimer? Check which side are Tom Cruise, Matt Damon and other Hollywood stars on

Here's how some of the hollywood stars have reacted on the prospective battle- “oppenheimer vs barbie”, which is also being hailed as "the bomb vs bombshell"..

Film Pundits are speculating on which of the two upcoming Hollywood movies namely Oppenheimer and Barbie, would do the best on the box office. The battle between the two multi-starrer films is further interesting because both are getting released on July 21, 2023. For some fans,it's a double bonanza and they are referrring the two movies together as “Barbenheimer”.

Oppenheimer's star cast includes big names like Robert Downey Jr. , Matt Damon and Cillian Murphy. The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer was an American physicist who is known as the "father of the atomic bomb" for his major contribution in the Manhattan Project which ultimately led to the development of world's first nuclear weapons.

"Barbie" is a fantasy movie based on the Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel, an American toy manufacturing company. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the movie's story revolves around how Barbie and Ken explore the real world after being expelled from "Barbie Land" for being less-than-perfect dolls. Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie are the lead actor and actress respectively in the film.

“I want to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer. I’ll see them opening weekend. Friday I’ll see Oppenheimer first and then Barbie on Saturday," Tom told The Sydney Morning Herald, when he was in the Australian capital for the premiere of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning - Part One.

“People are allowed to go see two movies in a weekend. Oppenheimer is one of them!” Damon told Vanity Fair in May. On being told that his four daughters might prefer to watch Barbie, Damon said: “I’ll have to ask them that. If that’s the case, they’ll see two movies that weekend!”.

Cillian Murphy

“I mean, I’ll be going to see Barbie, 100 per cent. I can’t wait to see it. I think it’s just great for the industry and for audiences, that we have two amazing films by amazing filmmakers coming out on the same day. You can spend the whole day in the cinema – what’s better than that?, ”Murphy told IGN recently.

• Christopher Nolan

“Summer, in a healthy marketplace, is always crowded, and we’ve been doing this a long time. I think for those of us who care about movies, we’ve been really waiting to have a crowded marketplace again, and now it’s here and that’s terrific,” Nolan told IGN recently.

• Margot Robbie

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Ridley Scott Credits Tom Cruise And Barbie With Saving Theatrical Releases For Movies Like Napoleon

Ridley Scott says Top Gun: Maverick and Barbie paved the way for Napoleon's theatrical release.

Ever since the global pandemic closed movie theaters for months, there have been real questions about what the future of theatrical exhibition even is. While there have been hits just as big and in the case of Avatar: The Way of Water , bigger than anything that came out pre-pandemic, most films are still struggling more than we might expect. There has clearly been a strong bias toward streaming over the last couple of years, but Ridley Scott says that the success of Top Gun: Maverick and Barbie has helped all theatrical films, including his own Napoleon .

Ridley Scott appeared on our own ReelBlend podcast to discuss his new movie. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as the lead in an impressive Napoleon cast and is produced by Apple, so one might expect it to go straight to Apple TV+ or have a minimal theatrical presence. But the movie is getting a wide release, something that Scott credits Tom Cruise for, saying that Top Gun: Maverick ’s success followed by Barbie 's billion-dollar box office has shown studios that theaters are still important. Scott said…

I think there’s a business plan with the platforms, whoever they are. And there are several. And they were growing in their plan to, I think, eliminate theater completely. They didn't want it, because it's competitive. And also they use up that material already seen before it goes to platform. I think people still re-watch things, as well. So, the business plan, thank God, was questioned when, I believe – I may have this wrong – but I heard Tom Cruise had learned that the plan (for Top Gun: Maverick) was to go minimal screen, then stream. And I heard he said, ‘Absolutely not. Count me out if you're going to do that.’ And they went screen, and it hit a billion dollars. … And then the same thing with Jim (Cameron). Avatar. Now it's two point something billion. Now Barbie is two point something billion. So I think the screens are here to stay for the right movies.

It’s true that movies like Avatar: The Way of Water and Barbie have made it clear that audiences are still willing to go to the movies in droves, even if that's happening less often than it once did. It’s impossible for movie studios to completely discount any theatrical project, as nobody wants to walk away from the next Barbie . Of course, nobody can be quite sure what movies will be massive hits and which will not, but studios are at least willing to take the risk some of the time. 

Ridley Scott says that originally, the plan for Napoleon was to go what has become the “traditional” route for a high-profile streaming project. It was going to get a limited theatrical release, likely to qualify for awards season, and then the film would go to Apple TV+. He says Apple realized the movie should get more than that, and so the plan was changed. He explained… 

We were on this perilous edge of going minimal screenings, about 10 months ago. That's why… I finished this (movie) almost about a year (ago) now. It was going to have the other plan. Suddenly, they realized that was the wrong plan. They had studios bid for it, and Sony won.

Now Napoleon is getting a much wider release before it makes its streaming debut. While it’s unlikely the movie will do Barbie numbers, a new movie with names like Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix attached to it is likely to do well with movie fans. You can check out Ridley Scott’s full appearance on ReelBlend below.  

Napoleon opens in theaters today.

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Tom Cruise wants you to watch 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' over 'Mission Impossible 7', here's why

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Get ready for a thrilling cinematic lineup with a trio of upcoming movies that promise to captivate audiences across different genres. With the highly-anticipated ‘Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part 1’, where Tom Cruise reprises his role as the charismatic spy Ethan Hunt, brace yourself for heart-pounding action, mind-bending twists, and jaw-dropping stunts that have become synonymous with the franchise. Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan's historical drama ‘Oppenheimer’ will transport the viewer to the tumultuous era of World War II as the film explores the enigmatic life of J Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant scientist behind the creation of the atomic bomb. Lastly, in a delightful departure from the usual fare, ‘Barbie’ takes center stage, bringing the beloved doll to life in a whimsical and empowering adventure filled with friendship, self-discovery, and unforgettable fun starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie . With these diverse offerings, the coming weeks are expected to witness an intense clash in the box office.

In a surprising twist, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise is urging fans to divert their attention from his own highly anticipated film ‘Mission Impossible 7’ and instead focus on ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’, both premiering on July 21. With his characteristic charm and enthusiasm, Cruise is asking moviegoers to explore new cinematic realms beyond action-packed espionage. Cruise took to Instagram to state that he is looking forward to watch ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’.

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Tom Cruise (@tomcruise)

Why Tom Cruise wants people to watch ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ over ‘MI7’

Tom Cruise took to his Instagram to encourage people to visit cinemas this summer and catch movies such as 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer'. Despite the beautiful weather and the challenging times faced by the film industry, the 'Mission: Impossible' star emphasized the importance of experiencing films on the big screen. He also paid tribute to Harrison Ford on the 40th anniversary of the 'Indiana Jones' franchise, praising Ford for creating an iconic character in cinema history.

Cruise also expressed his excitement for upcoming movies, including Greta Gerwig's live-action 'Barbie' film and Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller 'Oppenheimer'. He described these films as "explosive" and "pink" and shared a picture holding his Cineworld cinema ticket, captioning the post, “This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters. These are just a few that we can’t wait to see on the big screen. Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indiana Jones and creating one of the most iconic characters in cinema history. You have given us countless hours of joy.” He continued, “I love a double feature, and it doesn’t get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.”

‘All the action is real’

Tom Cruise recently praised 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' as an excellent starting point for newcomers to the franchise, particularly younger viewers. Emphasizing the film's realistic and practical action sequences, Cruise highlighted its epic adventure and visually stunning locations. He commended the movie's “engrossing story” and the “exceptional cast,” which includes Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson, and Simon Pegg.

Describing the film as a defining example of his perspective on cinema, Cruise underscored the brilliance of the ensemble cast and the captivating nature of the story. He told Collider , “They could start with this film to see and understand that this is all real, all the action is real, it’s practical. This movie is an epic adventure. It’s so lush, filled with practical action and amazing locations.” The 60-year-old continued, “[The movie has] submarines, it has the desert, it has Rome, beautiful locations in Abu Dhabi, Norway, a train that we built, action on the train, and a very engrossing story with a really beautiful cast, an amazing, very charismatic cast. I think when you look at this movie, it really defines what I think about cinema and why because you look at this kind of cast, you look at a brilliant ensemble cast, and the kind of story is very engrossing”.

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Tom Cruise Urges Fans To Watch 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer'

Views: 212 | 29 Jun 2023 02:35:36 pm IST | By Sunit Jangir

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tom Cruise (@tomcruise)

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Barbiemania: how warner bros. and mattel painted the world pink and created marketing magic.

From custom Crocs to a special Prada line to gay pride parade floats, Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' movie has attracted more than 100 promotional partners and generated countless headlines.

By Pamela McClintock

Pamela McClintock

Senior Film Writer

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Pink is the new green.

Barbie ‘s release in theaters this weekend caps one of the most extensive and impressive marketing campaigns in recent memory. Put another way: Rarely does a film turn into a cultural touchstone before it opens in cinemas. Warner Bros.’ Barbie , which brings to life the world’s most famous fashion doll, is on the short list of exceptions.

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“One of the things about theatrical marketing is that it has the opportunity to engage the cultural zeitgeist in an exciting way. Everyone wants to be a part of something,” says Warners global marketing president Josh Goldstine, who also did long stints at Universal and Sony. “I’ve probably worked on 250 movies over the course of my career, including Spider-Man at Sony way back in the day. I haven’t felt this kind of electricity in a long time.”

Selling a summer tentpole is more expensive than ever, and more complicated, amid the proliferation of social media and as the box office continues to find its footing following the pandemic. It’s commonplace for a Hollywood studio to spend just as much, if not more, to market an event pic as it does to actually make the movie. The price tag of a global marketing campaign for a big event title is usually $100 million or more.

Then there are promotional partnership deals, which can be worth tens of millions. Barbie has attracted more than 100 such partners. From custom pink Crocs to a Prada clothing line to hair dryers — and everything in between. Merchants and brands rushed to cash in on Barbie mania, while companies including Progressive Insurance and General Motors used Barbie in custom TV and digital advertisements. All told, these partnerships are worth at least $70 million to Warner Bros. and toymaker Mattel, home of Barbie. And the value of the publicity the film has generated is immeasurable, from local TV news spot to features in Architectural Digest and The New Yorker . Stories about Barbie have become ubiquitous.

Rival studio executives commend Warners and Mattel for what they say is a marketing campaign for the ages. “ Barbie will be very, very profitable,” says one such source, adding that Warners is wisely focusing on the cool and fun factor, versus nostalgia. The source, who pays close attention to tracking, says social media metrics kept showing gains. So did box office projections. When it first came on official tracking, Barbie was pacing for a healthy $80 million opening. By earlier this week, that number had jumped to a huge $110 million. “People go to movies to have fun. They want a ride,” continues the source.

Warner Bros. and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, could use a box office win. This summer’s DC superhero pic The Flash will incur a sizable loss after earning less than $268 million to date at the global box office. Shazam! Fury of the Gods , released earlier this year, was also a major disappointment. If it lives up to the hype, Barbie , which cost $145 million to produce before marketing, could be a huge profit generator for WBD. Just as marketing departments come under scrutiny when a film doesn’t work, so are they commended when there’s a win. “It’s like they saved everything for Barbie ,” says another rival marketing executive.

Directed by Greta Gerwig , Barbie , which is rated PG-13, isn’t a paint-by-numbers movie; nor was the campaign crafted by Goldstine and his team. The first teaser trailer, which played before Avatar: The Way of Water over the 2022 year-end holidays, was a parody of Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey that replaced the famous monolith with Barbie star Margot Robbie .

The movie’s playful tone came into further focus in early April with the first proper trailer, complete with a viral moment of Robbie’s arched foot stepping out of pink heels. A few weeks later, Ryan Gosling , who plays Ken, appeared onstage at CinemaCon 2023 decked out in a pink blazer. Gosling, who was flanked by Robbie, was the toast of the show, introducing the term Ken-ergy that has become a buzzword. And throughout June, there were Barbie floats in gay pride parades across the country.

“Mattel was just an extraordinary partner in terms of collaboration and allowing us to do stuff that was pretty edgy. We wanted to embrace a campaign that was as bold and exciting as the movie that Greta was making,” Goldstine says.

Initially, neither consumers nor Hollywood insiders knew what to expect from Gerwig’s Barbie . In spring of 2022, Warners revealed a first look from the film at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of theater owners and Hollywood studios in Las Vegas. It showed a smiling Barbie sitting in a pink Corvette.

“We saw how it lit up the internet,” Goldstine says. “It was a very telling moment.”

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Tom Cruise Is a London Boy

Sometimes when God closes a door (Taylor Swift says “So long” ), She opens a window (Tom Cruise does the splits). Cruise is living that life in London, and for him that means break-dancing, doing the splits, and watching the British absolutely lose their crumpets. Cruise has lived in London since 2021 and has, in that time, been at the former queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the British Grand Prix, according to the Mercury News . And now he has attended the most British event of all: Posh Spice’s birthday party. Fortunately, he still has the American propensity to do the most. While at the party, Cruise began break-dancing and ended his routine by doing the splits, according to the Daily Mail . “People were absolutely dumbfounded,” a source mentioned. All we’ll say about that is that if there’s one thing the Mission: Impossible franchise could do to s ecure those Imax screens , it just might be a (gay?) club scene in which Cruise distracts the bad guys by jumping into the splits like a Drag Race contestant. Just an idea.

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Suri Cruise showcases special bond with mom Katie Holmes after dad Tom Cruise missed her 18th birthday celebrations

Tom was seen partying at victoria beckham's 50th birthday.

Katie Holmes was seen out and about in New York City with her daughter,  Suri Cruise on Monday enjoying a leisurely stroll and a coffee run. This outing marked their first public appearance together since Suri's milestone 18th birthday.

On Monday morning, the mother-daughter duo showcased their effortless style and the special bond they share together. Suri, who just celebrated her birthday on April 18, looked chic in a patterned maxi dress adorned with red tassels at the hem. 

She paired this with a cozy, oatmeal-colored cardigan and an oversized denim jacket, perfect for the city's unpredictable spring weather. The birthday girl completed her look with a natural, makeup-free face, letting her youthful beauty shine through.

Katie opted for a casual yet sophisticated ensemble. She wore a pinstriped button-down shirt under a snug gray sweater, which she teamed with wide-leg jeans for a touch of urban cool.

Black suede shoes, a matching leather tote, and oversized sunglasses added just the right amount of glamour to her laid-back outfit, while her hair was effortlessly styled in a messy ponytail.

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The pair seemed deeply engrossed in conversation as they walked through the city, enjoying each other's company visibly. Over the weekend leading up to her birthday, Suri was seen picking up flowers, likely in preparation for her celebrations. 

It appeared to be a low-key affair, with no signs of her estranged father, Tom Cruise, in attendance. Suri is thought to have celebrated more over the weekend with her mom, while Tom was pictured in London at another milestone birthday party. 

Tom was one of the many celebrity guests at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday , which was held at Oswald's. 

Tom was all smiles in a number of photos posted on the night, looking smart in a tuxedo. As well as Suri, Tom is also father to adopted grown-up children, Isabella 'Bella', 31, and Connor, 29, who he shares with ex-wife Nicole Kidman.

Bella lives in London and has a close relationship with her dad, having been spotted out showing her support for him on numerous occasions by wearing various Top Gun T-shirts, a nod to her dad's film. 

None of Tom's children have spoken out about their relationship with their dad in recent years and the actor is incredibly private when it comes to his personal life. 

Suri's relationship with her father has been the subject of public speculation for years. Following Katie and Tom's divorce in 2012, Suri has grown up mostly away from the spotlight of her father's world and his involvement in Scientology. 

This estrangement seems to have solidified over the years, and with Suri now turning 18 — officially an adult — she holds the reins to her own life more firmly than ever.

With her 18th birthday, Suri not only steps into adulthood but also moves beyond the legal bindings that once tied her to her father through child support arrangements. 

Reports suggest Tom was contributing $400,000 a year in child support, a figure that is no longer required now that Suri is legally an adult.

Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S.  Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox. 

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