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‘Barbie’ Movie Sets Record as Biggest US, Canadian Debut of 2023

Margot Robbie poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Barbie" on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in London. (AP)
Margot Robbie poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Barbie" on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in London. (AP)
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‘Barbie’ Movie Sets Record as Biggest US, Canadian Debut of 2023

Margot Robbie poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Barbie" on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in London. (AP)
Margot Robbie poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Barbie" on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in London. (AP)

The new "Barbie" movie brought in an estimated $155 million at US and Canadian theaters over the weekend, setting a record as the biggest opening of 2023, distributor Warner Bros said on Sunday.

Director Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," about the making of the atomic bomb, rang up $80.5 million at domestic theaters in a cinema battle dubbed "Barbenheimer."

The tallies provided a lift to studios and theaters that have endured a disappointing summer so far. Ticket sales have hovered below last year despite a larger number of films at cineplexes.

"Barbie" starring Margot Robbie, is "Little Women" director Greta Gerwig's take on the iconic doll that debuted 60 years ago.

"Oppenheimer" stars Cillian Murphy as American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man who developed the atomic bomb. The movie has drawn rave reviews and is expected to be a contender in the coming Academy Awards race.

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International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Thousands of international fans of K-pop megastars BTS gathered on Friday in the suburbs of Seoul amid mounting excitement over an expected reunion of the group after its members complete mandatory service in the South Korean military.

This year's BTS Festa marks the 12th anniversary of the group, which last performed together in 2022 and has not toured since 2019 because of the global pandemic and subsequent military service obligations of its members.

It was unclear if any of the recently discharged performers would appear at the festival organized by the group's management agency, HYBE.

But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of fans, some of whom flew in from around the world hoping to spot some of the superstars at the gathering or at a pair of solo concerts by BTS rapper J-Hope as he wraps up his "Hope on the Stage" world tour.

"I want to enjoy everything because there are many things to do here and ... I hope to see the guys maybe," said Karla Linan Saucede, 33, who travelled from Mexico with her sister and friends.

"It's gone past excitement and into almost being numb," said Ayla O'Ryan, 45, from Scotland, adding that she planned a visit this month to practice Korean in the capital so that she could attend.

BTS' members Jimin and Jungkook discharged from the South Korean military on Wednesday, become the fifth and sixth to complete their service. Members RM and V were discharged on Tuesday and the last to finish will be Suga on June 21.

While details of a reunion have not been released, the group is expected to hold its largest ever world tour in 2026, says NH Securities, one of South Korea's largest investment firms.

Shares in HYBE jumped 11.3% in June as brokerages raised their sales estimates and target price for the agency ahead of the group's comeback.