As the 96th Academy Awards draws closer, the debate of whether Greta Gerwig’s Barbie could overthrow Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has taken over social media. With the award show less than two months away, the nominations were finally announced on January 23, 2024. After the nominations for the 2024 Oscar Awards came out, it is clear that there has been a victor between the two epic films.

Following Barbie’s unfortunate Golden Globes snub, the film ended up falling short of nominations in the upcoming ceremony as well. While that may have been the push Cillian Murphy’s film needed, it also ended up answering the intense debate.

Everything about the Barbenheimer debate

Since July of last year, the world has been torn between Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. While they were both the biggest films of 2023, fans have been waiting to see how they would stack up at the Oscars. After a long wait, they have finally got their answer. Just hours ago, the nominees for this year’s award show dropped and put the debate to an end. Here is a look at the wait fans had to endure and the small victories won by the films earlier.

A double release sparked the Barbenheimer debate

Last year was a rather miserable year for the film industry, as most of the projects ended up being pushed. With the WGA-SAG AFTRA strike bringing Hollywood to its knees, cinephiles only got a few films to judge. Some of those films were Margot Robbie’s Barbie, Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer, Emma Watson’s Poor Things, Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, and a few more.

However, only the Mattel movie and the historical thriller sparked global intrigue. With both the movies released on July 21st, fans went all out. Not only did the Barbie fans dress up in pink to watch the film, but even Oppenheimer viewers dressed in dark or black looks to fit the occasion. After the dust had settled in theatres, the debate picked up again when both films began crossing box office milestones.

While the Greta Gerwig film eventually won that battle, both the blockbuster hits put up quite a fight during their box office battle.

Barbie and Oppenheimer battled it out at the box office

After Barbie and Oppenheimer were released on the same day, they ended up taking over the box office. With most of the world having watched both films, it made sense that both of them broke an insane amount of box office records. Although the world was torn over, which was the better film, the Mattel film proved itself the winner by grossing $1.4 billion worldwide.

While Oppenheimer came close to the billion mark, it fell short. It ended up garnering over $952 million. The Margot Robbie film might have emerged victorious in that battle. However, it was not long before the thriller ended up making its way back into the spotlight.

Although the box office achievement was their first close call, both films were going neck and neck until the recent Golden Globe Awards.

Oppenheimer and Barbie were head-to-head at the Golden Globes

After Greta Gerwig’s Barbie dominated the box office and the Golden Globe nominations, Oppenheimer managed to turn the tables. While they only bagged eight nominations, the Cillian Murphy film ended up bagging 5 awards at the ceremony. Meanwhile, the Gerwig film was nominated for 9 awards. However, they unfortunately ended up winning only two.

At this year’s award show, the actors went up against Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ concert film. While Barbie ultimately won the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award that night, it was their only one. While the world had hoped to see them clash next at the Oscars in every category, one film ended up falling short once again. However, this time, there is no coming back.

Oppenheimer bags more Oscar nominations than Barbie

Now, just months ahead of the 2024 Oscars, the curtains have come down on the Barbenheimer debate. While it has been a rather intense run filled with close calls and award show snubs, the Cillian Murphy film Oppenheimer has emerged victorious. Not only did the film garner more nominations than Barbie, but has also put the biggest question to rest. The thriller ended up getting 13 nominations while the other contender got 8.

While Murphy was once again nominated for Best Actor, Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig were both snubbed for Best Actress and Best Director. Thankfully, America Ferrera and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro are finally getting the recognition that they deserve.

What do you think about Oppenheimer winning the Barbenheimer debate? Let us know in the comments below.