'Barbenheimer': Other times two major films went head-to-head
Chances are you've heard the word "Barbenheimer" in recent days and might be confused as to what it is.
It's an internet phenomenon that began circulating ahead of the theatrical release of two diametrically opposed films in genre, "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer." Both released Friday.
The contrast between the two, a fantasy comedy about the fashion doll and a biographical thriller about the physicist who developed the Manhattan Project, provoked a comedic response from people.
However, this isn't the first time in film history where two major films went head-to-head in the box-office. Here are 15 other times when movies had their own Barbenheimer moments.
'Planet of the Apes' vs. '2001: A Space Odyssey'
Released Apr. 3, 1968
Both films are inspired by written pieces of fiction and somewhat deal with the unknown future of mankind.
However, upon release, "Planet of the Apes" was considered a box-office hit while "2001: A Space Odyssey" was criticized for being too dark and bleak. Today, one started a franchise and remake franchise while the other is now regarded as one of the most influential films ever made.
Available to stream: "Planet of the Apes" can be streamed on Starz, while "2001: A Space Odyssey" can be streamed on Max.
'Grease' vs. 'Jaws 2'
Released June 16, 1978
"Grease" is a musical romantic about high school students as they tackle love, self-acceptance and automobiles. "Jaws 2" is about another great white shark attacking the town of Amity Island.
While one is singing about "Summer Nights", the other film is dealing with a bloodbath of victims from a hungry shark. Regardless, "Jaws 2" was able to swim it's way to the top of the box-office while "Grease" came in second.
Available to stream: Both films are not available to stream currently, but they can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
'Clash of the Titans' vs. 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'
Released June 12, 1981
Both films fall in the adventure genre, while one takes place thousands of years B.C. and the other in 1936.
"Clash of the Titans" was remade in 2010 and spawned a sequel, but both received negative critiques and failed to achieve the praise its original had. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was first in the box-office upon release, and has since become a franchise with four sequels.
Available to stream: "Clash of the Titans" can be streamed on Max, while "Raider of the Lost Ark" can be streamed on Disney+.
'Poltergeist' vs. 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'
Released June 4, 1982
Originally supposed to be a horror sequel to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Poltergeist" became a ghost story that is considered a horror classic. "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" was a surprising box-office smash after its first film was met with negative critiques.
The sci-fi sequel won the box-office and had the highest three-day weekend debut of all-time surpassing 1981's "Superman II."
Available to stream: "Poltergeist" is not available to stream currently, but it can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" can be streamed on Paramount+.
'Ghostbusters' vs. 'Gremlins'
Released June 8, 1984
Depending on who is watching, both films can be considered horror-comedy or family-features. One is about capturing ghosts and saving New York City, while the other is about mischievous monsters you don't want to get wet.
"Ghostbusters" ended up besting "Gremlins" in the box-office, but both movies are considered classics.
Available to stream: "Ghostbusters" is not available to stream currently, but it can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. "Gremlins" can be streamed on Max.
'Beauty and the Beast' vs. 'The Addams Family'
Released Nov. 22, 1991
"Beauty and the Beast" is based on the 1756 fairy tale about love and learning to be a better person, while "The Addams Family" is a supernatural comedy based off the 1964 television series of a macabre family.
The Golden Globe-winning animation fell behind the Golden Globe-nominated comedy in the box-office, and the former received a live-action adaptation 26 years later.
Available to stream: "Beauty and the Beast" can be streamed on Disney+, while "The Addams Family" can be streamed on Paramount+.
'The Bodyguard' vs. 'Aladdin'
Released Nov. 25, 1992
While "The Bodyguard" was the second-highest grossing film of 1992, it was panned by critics for the film's screenplay and performances by lead actors Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. "Aladdin" was the highest-grossing film of the year, a commercial success and the winner of two Academy Awards.
"The Bodyguard," a romantic thriller, gave the world Houston's rendition of "I Will Always Love You," while the animated "Aladdin" gave the world two direct-to-video sequels and a live-action adaptation in 2019.
Available to stream: "The Bodyguard" is not available to stream currently, but it can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. "Aladdin" can be streamed on Disney+.
'Heat' vs. 'Jumanji'
Released Dec. 15, 1995
"Heat" tells the the story of a top-notch crew of criminals performing heists throughout Los Angeles while being pursued by a determined detective. "Jumanji" is based of a 1981 children's book about a supernatural board game that releases jungle-based hazards for those who venture to play.
"Jumanji" gained the top spot of the box-office and spawned two sequels, while "Heat" is considered one of the most influential crime movies.
Available to stream: Both films are not available to stream currently, but they can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
'The Sixth Sense' vs. 'The Iron Giant'
Released Aug. 6, 1999
One film deals with a child who can see and speak to ghosts, while the other is an animated film about a child who befriends a large robot.
"The Sixth Sense" was an immediate critical success, garnering six Academy Award nominations, while "The Iron Giant" was considered a box-office failure due to a poor marketing campaign. The latter has gained a cult following and is held as a modern animated classic.
Available to stream: "The Sixth Sense" is not available to stream currently, but it can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. "The Iron Giant" can be streamed on Prime Video.
'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' vs. 'Walk the Line'
Released Nov. 18, 2005
The "wizarding" world of Harry Potter took the world by storm when the first film came out in 2001, and the franchise showed no signs of slowing down upon the release of its fourth chapter.
"Walk the Line" told the story of country legend Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" took home first place in the box-office, but "Walk the Line" took home three Golden Globe Awards and one Academy Award.
Available to stream: Both films can be streamed on Max.
'Mamma Mia!' vs. 'The Dark Knight'
Released July 18, 2008
Similar to Barbenheimer, "Mamma Mia!" and "The Dark Knight" both had contrasting audiences, and both films earned the top spots in the box-office, with the latter getting the top spot.
"Mamma Mia!," based off the Broadway musical, spawned a sequel considered to be more successful than its first. "The Dark Knight" became the highest-grossing 2008 film, the fourth-highest-grossing film of its time and the highest-grossing superhero film of its time.
Available to stream: "Mamma Mia!" is not available to stream currently, but it can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. "The Dark Knight" can be streamed on Max.
'Mad Max: Fury Road' vs. 'Pitch Perfect 2'
Released May 15, 2015
It had been 30 years since the last "Mad Max" film, but "Mad Max: Fury Road" was praised by critics for its direction, writing, action sequences, musical score, technical aspects and performances. However, it came in behind "Pitch Perfect 2" at the box-office.
The musical sequel received positive reviews and became the highest-grossing music comedy film of all-time.
Available to stream: Both films are not available to stream currently, but they can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
'Venom' vs. 'A Star is Born'
Released Oct. 5, 2018
While "Venom," the Marvel film about a comic book character, beat the fourth adaptation of "A Star is Born" in the box-office, the latter earned a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Despite negative reviews, "Venom" spawned a sequel, which also was met with negative critiques. However, a third installment is in the works and is expected to be released in October 2024.
Available to stream: "Venom" can be streamed on Disney+, while "A Star is Born" can be streamed on Prime Video.
'Child's Play' vs. 'Toy Story 4'
Released June 21, 2019
Another fun Barbenheimer moment was when these two films set around toys coming to life came out on the same day. While one was about a killer doll and the other was about toys trying not to be left behind, "Toy Story 4" was the successor out of the two at the box-office
The remake of the horror franchise received mixed critiques, while the fourth "Toy Story" film won Best Animated Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Available to stream: "Child's Play" is not available to stream currently, but it can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. "Toy Story 4" can be streamed on Disney+.
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' vs. 'Cats'
Released Dec. 20, 2019
Unfortunately, "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" and "Cats" were panned with negative reviews from critics as both films failed to live up to its expectations.
The former was critiqued for its lack of imagination and disapproval of erasing certain characters from the previous film, whereas the latter is considered to be one of the worst films ever made due to its CGI errors and screenplay.
Available to stream: Are you sure? "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" can be streamed on Disney+, while "Cats" can be streamed on Max.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: 'Barbenheimer': 15 times two movies went head-to-head at box-office
