Planning a 'Barbenheimer' double feature on opening weekend? Here's how to do it right

The double feature of the summer is almost here.

Barbenheimer or “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are set to hit theaters on Friday, July 21 with advance showings on Thursday.

With two movies as highly anticipated as these premiering on the same day, many are wondering how to see them both on the same night.

“Barbie” runs for one hour and 54 minutes, while “Oppenheimer” is exactly three hours long. That's nearly five hours of viewing, which is a marathon for one night.

But if you're committed to seeing them both first, there are some strategies you should consider.

What is the 'Barbie' movie about?

Directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach, the “Barbie” movie will be the first live-action Barbie film. The movie follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) as they leave “Barbieland” and go on an adventure to the real world. At the same time Mattel CEO (Will Ferrell) is trying to put Barbie back in a box.

Besides Robbie, Gosling and Ferrell, the movie will star Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, Michael Cera and Issa Rae.

What is 'Oppenheimer' about?

Written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer” is a biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) a theoretical physicist who led The Manhattan Project that developed an atomic bomb for the United States during World War II.

The cast includes Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Jack Quaid, Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Josh Peck and Devon Bostick.

Don't spend an arm and a leg: How to get cheap movie tickets this summer in Phoenix

The ideal theater for 'Oppenheimer'

Director Christopher Nolan suggests that the best way to see his latest film is at a theater that runs 70mm film. Lucky for us, the Arizona Mills 18 theater located on 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle has one of the only 70mm IMAX screens (showing films in the the highest resolution format that exists) in the state, one of only 19 in the country and 30 in the world.

"If you’re able to secure tickets, it’s a tremendous way to see 'Oppenheimer,'" Harkins Theatres CEO Mike Bowers told The Republic.

Bowers said they expect to have a “record-setting” weekend coming up with the amount of presale tickets already sold. He believes that “Barbie” box office is going to be over $100 million on opening weekend nationally and “Oppenheimer” will be about $50 or $60 million.

The best theater to see 'Barbie'

Several Harkins theaters will have “Barbie” Blowout Parties on Friday, July 19, with giveaways at 7 p.m., and cocktails and mocktails available as well.

But for major Barbie fans, on Saturday, July 22, Harkins Theatre Camelview at Fashion Square is hosting a ticketed Barbie Dream Party that includes a “Barbie” movie ticket, medium popcorn, Pink Dream cocktail, mocktail or medium drink, a “Barbie” gift, giveaways and photo ops. Tickets are $35 and gifts vary by showtimes.

If you want to see "Oppenheimer" in highest resolution and party with Barbie, you'll need to plan for drive time between the theaters.

Should I see 'Oppenheimer' or 'Barbie' first?

Bowers said his strategy would be to watch “Barbie” first and then “Oppenheimer.”

Bowers suggested customers go to the website or the Harkins app to buy tickets for both blockbuster showings and to coordinate movie times.

If you're staying at the same theater, which is the more logistically simple plan, you'll want to have about 30 minutes to take a bathroom break, stretch your legs, grab some snacks and watch some previews before the next film, so plan your viewing accordingly.

Possible showtimes that could work for your double feature at the Arizona Mills 18 Harkins on opening day, Friday, July 21 include watching "Barbie" at 12:00 p.m. and "Oppenheimer" at 2:30 p.m. or "Barbie" at 4 p.m. and "Oppenheimer" at 6:30 p.m.

If you'd like to watch "Oppenheimer" first you can do the 2:30 p.m. showing and then the 6 p.m. showing of "Barbie" or go to "Oppenheimer" at 6:30 p.m. and see "Barbie" at 10 p.m.

If you are trying to plan a double header – especially on opening day – it's essential you buy your tickets in advance as many time slots have already sold out and seats are limited.

“Start looking at the showtimes right now and get in as soon as you can,” Bowers said.

To reward your movie-watching efforts, Harkins Theatres is offering a promotion called "Mission: Barbenheimer" where, if you see “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" (which opened on Friday, July 14), loyalty members will receive a five-dollar loyalty reward that can be spent on tickets or concessions.

Don't miss these on the big screen: 10 new movies we can't wait to watch this summer from 'Barbie' to "The Blackening"

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' opening weekend guide: showtimes to parties