Baffled by Barbenheimer? Here’s what it is, how to take part at Stanislaus County theaters
Headlines have called it “bomb vs. bombshell.”
A Wikipedia page says it’s “an Internet phenomenon that began circulating ahead of the simultaneous theatrical release of two films diametrically opposed in genre.”
Greta Gerwig’s pink and perky fantasy comedy “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s darker-than-”The Dark Knight” biographical drama “Oppenheimer” both begin playing Thursday, July 20, nationwide. The simultaneous release has created a social media phenomenon as fans debate or celebrate what’s been dubbed Barbenheimer.
Last week, Box Office Pro’s low-end opening weekend forecast projected “Barbie” to open at $115 million, while the low-end opening for “Oppenheimer” was projected at $48 million. But while those numbers suggest more than twice as many people are expected to hit theaters for Margot Robbie rather than Cillian Murphy, a lot of people are asking, “Why not both? On the same day?”
Here, we offer a viewing guide to see both movies in one sitting. And while our order might more correctly be titled Oppenarbie, it’s probably for the best. After the heavy fare, it would be nice to end the night on a lighter note.
Helping with that, Galaxy Theatres in Riverbank has a life-size Barbie display box in which moviegoers can pose. On Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m., cosplayers dressed as Barbie and Ken will be at the Riverbank location.
And select Regal Theatres locations including Stockton, Dublin and Fresno will have “Barbie-inspired pink popcorn.”
Here are showtimes in Modesto, Turlock and Riverbank for fans eager to knock out the Barbenheimer duo by watching “Oppenheimer” before “Barbie.” Barbie is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 114 minutes, while Oppenheimer is rated R and clocks in at 180 minutes. Showings marked with an asterisk indicate that fans may miss out on a few moments of “Barbie.”
Brenden Theatres Modesto 18 & JBX
Thursday, July 20:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 5 p.m. and “Barbie” at 9 p.m.
Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 10:45 a.m. and then head over to “Barbie” at 1:40 p.m.*, 4:30 p.m., 7:20 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 2:30 p.m., then “Barbie” at 7:20 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 6:15 p.m., then “Barbie” at 10:10 p.m.
At the time this article was written, Brenden Theatres had not released showtimes for “Barbie” on Sunday. Buy tickets at brendentheatres.com/showtimes.
Regal Modesto
Thursday, July 20:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 5 p.m, then “Barbie” at 9:20 p.m. or 10:20 p.m.
Friday, July 21, Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 10:40 a.m., then “Barbie” at 3:10 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 6:10 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 2:50 p.m., then “Barbie” at 7:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 7 p.m., and “Barbie”* at 10:10 p.m.
Buy tickets at regmovies.com.
Galaxy Theatres Riverbank
Thursday, July 20:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 5 p.m. on IMAX, then “Barbie” at 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 5:30 p.m on Digital, then “Barbie” at 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m.
Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22:
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 9:30 a.m., then “Barbie” at 12:30 p.m.*, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on Digital at 10 a.m., then “Barbie” at 1 p.m.*, 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 1:45 p.m., then “Barbie” at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on digital at 2:15 p.m., then “Barbie” at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 6 p.m., then “Barbie” at 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 6:30 p.m., then “Barbie” at 9:30 p.m.* or 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 23:
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 9:30 a.m., then “Barbie” at 12:30 p.m.*, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 1:45 p.m., then “Barbie” at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on IMAX at 6 p.m., then “Barbie” at 9:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” on digital at 6:30 p.m., then “Barbie” at 9:30 p.m.* or 10:30 p.m.
Buy tickets at galaxytheatres.com/movie-theater/Riverbank.
Regal Turlock
Thursday, July 20:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 5 p.m., the “Barbie” at 8 p.m.*, 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.
Friday, July 21, Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23:
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 11 a.m., then “Barbie” at 2:10 p.m.*, 3:10 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 6:10 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 1:25 p.m., then “Barbie” at 5:10 p.m., 6:10 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 3:10 p.m., then “Barbie” at 6:10 p.m.*, 7:10 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Watch “Oppenheimer” at 5:30 p.m., then “Barbie” at 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m.
Buy tickets at regmovies.com.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
