With 21st July 2023 closing up on us, the air is getting hot and heavy. You see, the pressure is real when it comes to what one should watch first: Barbie or Oppenheimer? Over the course of the last few weeks, even celebrities have not been spared this question. In fact, Mission Impossible 7’s icon, Tom Cruise, went ahead to reveal his plan to watch both films with Nolan’s film first, followed by Gerwig’s Mattel magic. But, is this the right way or the Cruise way? Let us find out here with some key details about the films being in focus first.
Barbie is a fantasy comedy film. It is directed by Greta Gerwig, who wrote the screenplay for this movie with her longtime partner, Noah Baumbach. As the name suggests, the film is going to be about Mattel’s iconic doll and, is in fact, the first live-action film made on the doll ever! Margot Robbie stars in the titular role of this film along with Ryan Gosling as Ken and an ensemble cast featuring America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Emma Mackey, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa, Helen Mirren, Michael Cera, Will Ferrell and others.
Oppenheimer is a war drama written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan. The film is based on the 2005 biography titled American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin which is on the life and contributions made by theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. It is going to star Cillian Murphy in the titular role alongside Emily Blunt as Katherine Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence, Casey Affleck as Boris Pash, Rami Malek as David Hill, Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr, Benny Safdie as Edward Teller, Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer, Gustaf Skarsgård as Hans Bethe, Tom Conti as Albert Einstein amongst many others.
Oppenheimer Trailer
Also Read: Best Screens to Watch Oppenheimer in India: PVR IMAX Bangalore, Luxe IMAX Chennai and More
Barbie Vs Oppenheimer: What to Watch First?
There is no denying that both films are destined to become cult classics on the day of their release and thereafter. It is iconic to have the two released on the same day, to begin with. Thus, it is important to watch both films on the same day. But, which one first?
Our verdict is that you should watch Oppenheimer first, followed by Barbie. Now before all the Gerwig fans come at us, let us explain why. Oppenheimer is a biographical drama, meaning that the story it has to offer is not something we do not know. There is going to be incredible direction, acting, music and cinematography in the film. The nuances and fun/unknown facts about the titular character and the Manhattan Project are going to make us contemplate a lot. But by the end of the day, it is running through the pages of history; knowing our past better.
Barbie, however, is going to be an unpredictable piece. Even for all the people out there who grew up watching animated films, no one has any idea what this film will offer us ultimately. Is it going to be an existential exploration or a satire on capitalism? Are we going to get a feminist debate or is it going to be on the lines of how fast the world changes and people grow up? The trailer shows us enough to entice us but, not enough that one can predict if the film is going to be a rosy ride or leave us with a gloomy grey mind.
Barbie Trailer
Putting the films in this order, according to us, would feel like moving from the gloomy world of the past to a fantasy land, only to be given a mirror to have ourselves in check. And, as Nadine Labaki had once proudly said, “Cinema is not only about making people dream. It’s about changing things and making people think” and, there is no other way one can go about it to truly feel this quote hit your bones.
Both films are scheduled to arrive in theatres on 21 July 2023. The tickets for both titles are live and selling, so get yours quickly!
Meanwhile, do let us know in the comments below what is your order of choice when it comes to watching these two masterpieces of 2023!