The film "Barbie" directed by Greta Gerwig has broken multiple records in its opening weekend, both in North America and globally. With $162 million in ticket sales in North America, it surpassed the opening weekend records set by "Captain Marvel" and "Wonder Woman." It is also worth noting that "Barbie" had a lower production cost compared to these two films.
One significant aspect of "Barbie's" success is its audience composition. The film had a majority female audience, which is uncommon for movies that open with over $100 million in ticket sales. This highlights the lack of big films that have been made with a blockbuster female audience in mind.
Comparisons can be drawn to "Fifty Shades of Grey," which was also directed by a woman, Sam Taylor-Johnson. While "Fifty Shades of Grey" made $85 million in its first three days, "Barbie" surpassed this with its $162 million opening weekend.
In addition to these achievements, "Barbie" also became the third biggest July debut ever, trailing behind only "The Lion King" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."
Greta Gerwig, the director of "Barbie," has had previous success with her films "Little Women" and "Lady Bird." With the success of "Barbie," she has already surpassed the domestic grosses of her previous films. Gerwig also made history in 2018 by becoming the fifth woman to be nominated for the Best Director Oscar.
The success of "Barbie" has been widely celebrated in Hollywood, with many praising its originality, feminist perspective, and box office achievements. However, some have questioned the emphasis on the "glass ceiling" aspect of Gerwig's accomplishments, pointing out that male directors like Christopher Nolan are not often referred to as such.
Looking ahead, the question is how high "Barbie" can go and if it can outgross other top films directed by women. It will need to surpass the box office performances of "Frozen II" and "Captain Marvel" to secure the top spot domestically.
With positive reviews, audience scores, and no direct new competition, it is likely that "Barbie" will continue to perform well in the coming weeks. Warner Bros. is pleased with the film's success and sees it as a reflection of the intense interest and enthusiasm surrounding "Barbie."