Even if you are only remotely interested in the entertainment industry or pop culture, you cannot have missed the buzz around the clash of two of Hollywood's biggest films, Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. The two films, which are as different as chalk and cheese in subject matter and treatment, have cinema lovers across the world divided. As fandoms and movie aficionados passionately discuss and debate which film to watch first or even watch at all, there appears to be only one winner – the memers of the world. Yes, the greatest cinematic clash in recent memory has proved to be just the right fodder for meme makers, who are clearly having a blast creating content about the Barbie vs Oppenheimer clash.
While Oppenheimer is a biographical thriller based on Robert Oppenheimer, the mind behind the world's first atomic bomb, Barbie is a fantasy comedy based on the iconic fashion dolls by Mattel. Oppenheimer boasts of a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy in the titular role with Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Josh Hartnett, and Casey Affleck. Barbie, meanwhile, is headlined by Margot Robbie with Ryan Gosling as Ken, and America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell in important roles.
The section of memes that have spawned from this clash of the Titans even has its own moniker – the Barbenheimer memes. To top it all, fans have also fused the two films into posters for one film titled (not surprisingly) Barbenheimer. As expected, Margot Robbie as Barbie and Cillian Murphy as Robert Oppenheimer feature predominantly on most posters and memes.
Here's a poster of Barbie in Robert Oppenheimer's war-torn world with overcast skies. Titled Barbenheimer, the fan-made poster says, “A film by Christopher Nolan and Greta Gerwig.”
Another genius Barbenheimer poster pic.twitter.com/E8GNFD94fh
— Shadow Knight (@shadowknightdk) July 16, 2023
Here are some other examples of the two films inspiring each other's fan-made posters.
— Shadow Knight (@shadowknightdk) July 15, 2023
Want to know what happens when Robert Oppenheimer and Barbie enter the world of La La Land? Take a look:
A THREAD of Barbenheimer posters pic.twitter.com/X7E5BtNKlo
— Shadow Knight (@shadowknightdk) July 15, 2023
Sharing an image of a pink cloud of dust, one Twitter user wrote, “The Barbie/ Oppenheimer crossover has begun.”
The Barbie/Oppenheimer crossover has begun pic.twitter.com/16zESO1TAY
— Stone Cold Jane Austen (@AbbyHiggs) June 28, 2023
Here's the ultimate Barbie and Oppenheimer crossover poster that a user shared with the note, “It's #Barbenheimer week and I'm obsessed with this poster.”
Its #Barbenheimer week and im obsessed with this poster???? pic.twitter.com/WceU4X4tj0
— LGBTQIGAF (@howamireformed) July 17, 2023
"Whoever made this is insane," said one fan, sharing another poster.
whoever made this is insane ???? pic.twitter.com/mJdw36JIJz
— The Cinegogue (@TheCinegogue) June 28, 2023
There is also merchandise to add to the craze:
SHE'S HERE pic.twitter.com/kqCP4GYeRx
— Pheebs (ur fav fat babe) ????✨ (@fatpheebs) July 8, 2023
Also, a fan-made Barbenheimer trailer – yes, you read that right – has gone viral, for all the right reasons. Take a look:
Margot Robbie, in an interview with BBC Radio 1 on July 18, also shared her two bits on the Barbenheimer meme fest. “People are so clever, people who come up with those funny memes,” she said, even as co-star Ryan Gosling remained confused about what makes a meme.
Margot Robbie on the #Barbie / #Barbenheimer memes
— Ali Plumb (@AliPlumb) July 18, 2023
Ryan Gosling: "What's a meme?" pic.twitter.com/9LsY4vvT9Y
Meanwhile, the stars of both films are supporting each other. While Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie posed with their Oppenheimer tickets, Emily Blunt in an interview with USA Today said about the clash, “It's really cool and that's what we want: that full spectrum of what you can see in movie theaters. We love it.”
Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie with their opening night tickets for ‘OPPENHEIMER'. pic.twitter.com/VHwFuxst6d
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 30, 2023
Both films have been slated to release on July 21. While the internet buzz around the project continues, actors of both projects are unable to promote the film in light of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
