The Warner Bros. film “Barbie” has once again secured the top spot at the North American box office for the fourth consecutive week, according to industry estimates. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film has been breaking industry records and solidifying Gerwig’s position as a trailblazing director.
Gerwig, who became the first solo woman director to surpass $1 billion in global box office earnings with “Barbie,” has now also become the highest-grossing woman director of all time in the domestic market. This achievement is a significant milestone for female filmmakers in Hollywood.
This weekend, “Barbie” brought in an estimated $33.7 million, bringing its total domestic earnings to $526 million. Starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film has amassed an impressive $1.2 billion worldwide.
While “Barbie” maintains its position at the top, Universal’s historical drama “Oppenheimer” has regained its second-place position at the box office. The film, which explores the development of the atomic bomb, brought in an estimated $18.8 million over the weekend.
Amidst the success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” Hollywood is currently facing challenges due to a double-strike by writers and actors. Both unions are renegotiating contracts with studios, demanding better pay and improved working conditions. These strikes have disrupted productions and affected marketing events for upcoming releases as actors are prohibited from promoting their films while on strike.
Paramount’s animated film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” secured the third spot this weekend with $15.8 million. Meanwhile, Universal’s vampire film “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” based on Bram Stoker’s classic “Dracula,” made a weak debut with just $6.5 million in earnings.
The film industry analyst David A. Gross noted that “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” struggled with poor reviews and a budget of $45 million, making it a challenging sell under any circumstances.
The remainder of the top 10 box office rankings includes:
- “Haunted Mansion” ($5.6 million)
- “Talk to Me” ($5.1 million)
- “Sound of Freedom” ($4.8 million)
- “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” ($4.7 million)
- “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” ($900,000)
Despite the ongoing challenges in the industry, “Barbie” continues to captivate audiences and maintain its dominance at the box office.