The success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” comes amid a backdrop of turmoil in Hollywood, as a historic double strike by writers and actors has brought production to a halt.
Both unions are renegotiating their collective contracts with the studios to demand better wages, guarantees limiting the use of artificial intelligence and other working conditions.
While on strike, union rules prevent the actors from promoting their films, jeopardizing marketing schedules for upcoming releases as there seems to be no end in sight to negotiations.
Paramount’s animated “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” took third place this weekend, up one spot from last week with US$15.8 million.
In its first weekend, Universal’s vampire film The Last Voyage of the Demeter finished fifth with just US$6.5 million.