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‘Gran Turismo’ and ‘Barbie’ neck-and-neck at the box office

Published:Monday | August 28, 2023 | 12:10 AM
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From left, Sang Heon Lee, Darren Barnet, Archie Madekwe, Emelia Hartford and Pepe Barroso Silva in a scene from ‘Gran Turismo’.
AP
From left, Sang Heon Lee, Darren Barnet, Archie Madekwe, Emelia Hartford and Pepe Barroso Silva in a scene from ‘Gran Turismo’.
Margot Robbie in a scene from ‘Barbie’. Earlier this week the flick passed ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ to become the biggest box-office hit in North America this year.
AP
Margot Robbie in a scene from ‘Barbie’. Earlier this week the flick passed ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ to become the biggest box-office hit in North America this year.
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NEW YORK (AP)

Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story and Barbie are in a dead heat for the box-office crown, with the video game adaptation just edging Greta Gerwig’s pop sensation, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Sony Pictures reported that Gran Turismo opened with $17.3 million over the weekend while Warner Bros estimated that Barbie, in its sixth week of release, took in $17.1 million. Those totals could change when final ticket sales are counted Monday.

Due to a few wrinkles, it’s all but certain that Barbie sold more tickets than any other movie Friday through Sunday even if Gran Turismo is claiming the checker flag.

One reason: It was an usual weekend in multiplexes. US movie theaters held the second annual National Cinema Day on Sunday, with $4 tickets to all films and showtimes at nearly all of the country’s theaters.

Barbie was expected to be easily the top draw during the discounted day, with a particular boost coming from repeat viewings. With a domestic total of $594.8 million in ticket sales, Barbie has passed The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($574 million) to become the year’s biggest domestic hit. With $1.34 billion worldwide, the film will also soon surpass the leading $1.35 million worldwide tally of Mario.

National Cinema Day is meant to lure moviegoers to theaters during a typically slow period – and recoup the lost ticket revenue by selling a lot of popcorn. Last year’s event drew 8.1 million moviegoers, making it the busiest day of the year in theatres.

So what was the top movie in theatres this weekend?

Barbie, says Jeff Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros. “Without any question.”

Sony executives declined to comment.

Last week’s top film, the DC Comics release Blue Beetle, slid to third place in its second week, with $12.8 million. The Warner Bros film has made $46.3 million in two weeks, making it another misfire for DC.

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer trailed in fourth, with $9 million in its sixth week.

TOP 10

1. Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, $17.3 million.

2. Barbie, $17.1 million.

3. Blue Beetle, $12.8 million.

4. Oppenheimer, $9 million.

5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, $6.1 million.

6. Meg 2: The Trench, $5.1 million.

7. Strays, $4.7 million.

8. Retribution, $3.3 million.

9. The Hill, $2.5 million.

10. Haunted Mansion, $2.1 million.