Both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” premiered on the same evening at Pickford Film Center Thursday, July 20 — one day earlier than the two movies’ announced debuts.
Although both movies have very different stories, a pop-culture craze has started around seeing both films on the same day.
“Barbie” begins by illustrating Barbie and Ken’s seemingly perfect existence, but existentialism hits when they have the chance to experience the “real world.”
“Oppenheimer” tells the tale of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who helped develop the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.
The pairing of these two movies started as an internet joke, but “Barbenheimer” has since gained traction as a way to celebrate two films of cultural significance.
Cascadia Daily News caught up with a few moviegoers Thursday night.
Lillie Tomlinson, Brianna Benner, Maggie Strecker, Karenna Merritt, Annabelle Quinlisk
Ages: 21
Movie attending: ‘Barbie’ (‘Barbie is for the girls.’)
What are you most excited about?
The Barbie Dreamhouse. We are so excited to see it come to life. And all the outfits oh my god they are amazing.
Was it hard to get tickets?
We were told about it early enough that it wasn’t that hard. We got our tickets last week. We got them really, really early, thankfully. I think we [were] just so excited, counting down the days ’til ‘Barbie.’
Angela Prink
Angela Prink uses pink chalk to give Ainsley Gettis a new look before the “Barbie” movie. (Sophia Nunn/Cascadia Daily News)
Age: 26
Movie attending: ‘Barbie’
Do you have plans to see ‘Oppenheimer’ as well?
No. What is ‘Oppenheimer’?
What are you most excited about?
I think the nostalgia of it all. I wasn’t really allowed to have Barbies, but my friends did, so it is just nostalgic enough to be able to see the movie.
What went into your outfit choice?
It took a long time. I went back and forth, I was gonna do as much pink and white as possible, but after I put the hair chalk in, it conflicted with the pink shirt I was going to wear. I went back and forth, and my husband finally helped me. He was like, ‘Just go with the purple so it doesn’t clash.’ And I got these earrings that this creator made just for the ‘Barbie’ launch.
Jaron Parks
Jaron Parks is ready to mingle, looking for love at Pickford Film Center’s ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ premieres. (Sophia Nunn/Cascadia Daily News)
Age: 22
Movie attending: ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’
What are you most excited about?
Honestly, I am just here to have a good time and see everyone in costume.
Your poster says, ‘Looking for my Barbie date.’ Have you gotten any inquiries?
I have. Yesterday I went to a concert here downtown. I had someone come up to me, and we got a picture. I am actually meeting someone to watch the movie right now with, so it’ll be pretty fun.
Do you have plans for ‘Oppenheimer’?
You know, I didn’t at first but I’m here for it. The people I am actually watching ‘Barbie’ with right now, we’re doing the ‘Barbenheimer’ thing.
