reporter: the movie is the biggest domestic start for a solo female director, greta gerwig, surpassing wonder woman. mattel and warner bros., they have to be just tickled pink. reporter: barbie is made by mattel, and warner bros. discovery, the same parent company as cnn. everything about this movie and the toy is fun, right? and i think people are looking to escape. reporter: barbie bested this weekend s other blockbuster, oppemheimer about the father of the atomic bomb. i don t know if we can be trusted with such a weapon. reporter: which made at least $80 million over the weekend. the two blockbusters premiering at the same time spawned fan mash-ups dubbed barbenheimer. we ll remember this day. reporter: the two real films contributed to the fourth highest grossing movie weekend ever in north america, something theater owners hope is a sign
we have more. reporter: barbie paints the world pink and this weekend fans came out in droves. not only is it possible, the film shattered expectations and it on track to make at least $155 million at the u.s. box office in its opening weekend. the new movie sends barbie and ken to the real world. my heels are on the ground. reporter: to deal with an existential crisis. this is the real world. what is going on? why are these men looking at me. reporter: this is the biggest start for a solo female director, gregga gerwick, surpassing wonder woman. mattel has to be tickled pink. reporter: barbie is made by