‘Barbenheimer’ hits Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are opening this weekend, and the cultural sensation has made it to Lincoln.

Moviegoers are flocking to theaters, some seeing both one after the other, calling it “Barbenheimer.”

Since the films were announced, the concept has swept the nation, becoming a cultural phenomenon.

For moviegoer Aspen Reynolds, the wait is finally over.

“I’m very, very excited,” she said. “And there’s been a lot of kind of hype around all of it and the trailers and the promotion. So I’m very excited to see if they live up to everything.”

Reynolds saw both films back-to-back, which equals out to almost five hours at the theater.

The Marcus Grand Theater is also prepared for this double feature.

General manager Lisa Fryda said many patrons have arrived dolled up for the occasion.

“They’re really excited,” she said. “They’re taking tons of photo ops with their friends while they’re here. It’s amazing to me how dressed up they are with all of their Barbie and pink, and it’s even the gentlemen as well.”

During the pandemic, many stayed away from the theater.

But events like “Barbenheimer” are reminding people of the excitement around going to the movies.

People are coming in bigger groups now, Fryda said.

“And they’re laughing and carrying on and talking about the films afterwards and before and what they can’t wait to see,” she said. “It’s incredible to see that excitement.”

Businesses in the area have also seen an uptick.

Captain Jacks bartender Sara Hergenrader said when “Barbie” premiered this week, they saw more business than normal for a Thursday night.

“It has definitely been busier in here, and I’ve seen a lot of people rocking their pink and just a lot of fun energy,” she said. “And they’re staying out later at night.”

Ruby Begonias, a boutique near 13th and P streets, has also seen more customers since the movies premiered as people clammer for era-accurate or pink attire.

“We’ve kind of just been hoarding pink stuff for the past month, just having it all in the back room ready to just let loose, which is what we did Monday,” sales associate Lane Schlueter said. “So the whole store got Barbie-fied. We’ve had a few little stray Oppenheimers coming in and buying fedoras. So those have been leaving pretty quickly as well.”