It’s been talked about for months. On July 21, 2023, two vastly different movies, Greta Gerwig’s fantasy comedy Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s epic historical thriller Oppenheimer releases on the same day. This epic event has been dubbed “Barbenheimer,” and many have been wondering which movie to see first in their Barbie/Oppenheimer double feature.
Best order to watch Barbie and Oppenheimer in
My personal recommendation is to watch Oppenheimer first and then Barbie.
Oppenheimer is a three-hour epic starring Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, who would become known as the father of the atomic bomb. Boasting an incredible ensemble cast, this movie is based on a true story of one of the darkest chapters in humanity’s history. It’s one of Nolan’s most mature, dialogue-heavy movies, tailor-made for the big screen experience. The ending will leave you in stunned silence as the credits roll.
On the other hand, Barbie is a delightful, colorful movie featuring hilarious performances from Margot Robbie as Barbie, Ryan Gosling as Ken, and Will Ferrell as the Mattel CEO. It’s a funny, feel-good movie that embraces its goofiness while also tackling real-world issues surrounding gender dynamics, the patriarchy, and feminism.
I would recommend seeing Oppenheimer first because it can be a crushing weight to watch a film that accurately depicts the horrors of the world we live in. While Barbie also touches on issues in the world, it takes a much more light approach that will have you howling with laughter. It is the perfect movie to cheer you up after the devastation Oppenheimer may bring.
However, there are others who say that Oppenheimer is such a dark movie that you should watch Barbie first, and then Oppenheimer so that the dark messages of Oppenheimer aren’t impacting you emotionally as you watch Barbie. It ultimately comes down to the choice of the viewer, but my verdict is ending your double feature on a movie that will have you crying tears of joy.
