In pictures: ‘Barbie’ turns movie theaters pink | CNN

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A woman poses for a selfie in New York to celebrate the "Barbie" movie on Friday, July 21.
A woman poses for a selfie in New York to celebrate the "Barbie" movie on Friday, July 21.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

In pictures: ‘Barbie’ turns movie theaters pink

Updated 11:36 AM EDT, Mon July 24, 2023
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The "Barbie" movie dominated the box office this past weekend, and you didn't need the numbers to prove it.

Many movie theaters were awash in pink as fans of the iconic doll came dressed for the occasion. People who spent their youth gleefully hoisting Dream House elevators, pushing around stylish Corvettes and keeping track of an endless array of tiny high heels were fired up about Barbie's big-screen moment.

"Everything about this movie and the toy is fun," Sheri Lambert, a marketing professor at Temple University, told CNN. "I think people are looking to escape."

"Barbie" raked in a stunning $155 million domestically over the weekend, giving the film the largest opening weekend of 2023 and the biggest-ever debut for a female director.

The combined release of "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," dubbed "Barbenheimer," has become a pop culture sensation — and one that might revive a struggling movie industry.

"Barbie" was distributed by Warner Bros., which is owned by CNN's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.

Britney Stewart shows off her outfit after attending a "Barbie" showing in Somerdale, New Jersey, on Saturday.
Britney Stewart shows off her outfit after attending a "Barbie" showing in Somerdale, New Jersey, on Saturday.
Hannah Beier/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Cierra Fraser and Joslin Farley pose outside of a theater in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Cierra Fraser and Joslin Farley pose outside of a theater in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Jenna Schoenefeld/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Maria Plascencea stands with her daughter, Daniella Galvan, in Los Angeles on Friday. Plascencea said Daniella really wanted to go to the movie in costume.
Maria Plascencea stands with her daughter, Daniella Galvan, in Los Angeles on Friday. Plascencea said Daniella really wanted to go to the movie in costume.
Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Moviegoers pose with Barbie promotional materials at a theater in New York on Friday.
Moviegoers pose with Barbie promotional materials at a theater in New York on Friday.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Barbie fan Shannon Douglas poses for a photo Saturday in Somerdale, New Jersey. "I wanted to capture the just like kind of fun pink energy that Barbie kind of exudes," she said. "I just kind of wanted to feel like I was a kid again, dressing a Barbie, but I was my own Barbie."
Barbie fan Shannon Douglas poses for a photo Saturday in Somerdale, New Jersey. "I wanted to capture the just like kind of fun pink energy that Barbie kind of exudes," she said. "I just kind of wanted to feel like I was a kid again, dressing a Barbie, but I was my own Barbie."
Hannah Beier/The Washington Post/Getty Images
A group of friends gather outside a movie theater in Los Angeles on Friday.
A group of friends gather outside a movie theater in Los Angeles on Friday.
Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Barbie fans wear pink in New York on Friday.
Barbie fans wear pink in New York on Friday.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Jasmine Vaughn Perrett shows off her Barbie-inspired look in Los Angeles on Friday. Perrett says she loves Barbie because she loves a woman "who represents being beautiful and smart."
Jasmine Vaughn Perrett shows off her Barbie-inspired look in Los Angeles on Friday. Perrett says she loves Barbie because she loves a woman "who represents being beautiful and smart."
Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
From left, Sophie Davidoff, Ayan Babayeva and Mia Ilyaich pose in Los Angeles on Saturday. "We all love pink. It's my favorite color," said Ayan, who was celebrating her birthday.
From left, Sophie Davidoff, Ayan Babayeva and Mia Ilyaich pose in Los Angeles on Saturday. "We all love pink. It's my favorite color," said Ayan, who was celebrating her birthday.
Jenna Schoenefeld/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Reece Adineh poses with a Barbie doll in Los Angeles on Saturday. "I'm from Iran. So I grew up in a country that I couldn't really have Barbie," he said. "I made it so far, and I'm celebrating."
Reece Adineh poses with a Barbie doll in Los Angeles on Saturday. "I'm from Iran. So I grew up in a country that I couldn't really have Barbie," he said. "I made it so far, and I'm celebrating."
Jenna Schoenefeld/The Washington Post/Getty Images
A Barbie fan attends a movie showing in New York on Friday.
A Barbie fan attends a movie showing in New York on Friday.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

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