5 more Barbenheimer-style Nolan double features to watch this weekend
The time has come: Barbenheimer, the summer’s cinematic double-film event, is here. Greta Gerwig’s scintillating fantasy comedy-drama Barbie premieres alongside Christopher Nolan’s very serious biopic Oppenheimer, about the man responsible for the atomic bomb has made for one of the strangest (and most exciting) movie weekends in recent history.
While audiences have no doubt already decided which movie to watch first, it’s worth noting that this isn’t technically the first time something like this has happened. Nearly every major Christopher Nolan release has opened alongside a movie that is both its opposite and its perfect counterpart. From extravagant musical dramas and fantasy adventures to anachronistic biopics and fun and sassy comedies, there’s a Barbenheimer for all seasons.
We’ve put together a list of the weirdest and most delightful movies to pair with a recap of Nolan’s best movies.
Moulin Rouge! and keepsake
Image: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and image: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Discussion weekend: May 24, 2001*
Before Barbenheimer, there was Memento Rouge. While Nolan’s nonlinear neo-noir thriller may have been overshadowed by the bombastic maximalism of Baz Luhrmann’s box-office musical romantic drama, the two films nonetheless live on in moviegoers’ memories as exemplary breakthrough works from two of today’s most iconic directors. If you’re looking for a mind-blowing, high-flying double movie full of psychological menace and an abundance of confetti, there’s no better way to experience either director than to experience them together. —Toussaint Egan
*Both films had a limited release in the spring, before a wider release around the same time in the summer. While it’s not technically the same weekend, we count it because we make the rules.
Keepsake And Moulin Rouge! are available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play.
Mama Mia! and the dark knight
Image: Universal Pictures and Image: Warner Bros.
Discussion weekend: July 18, 2008
The granddaddy of the same week’s chaotic Nolan double features, tweets about The dark knight And Mama Mia! are what sparked this idea in the first place. The dark knight performed much better Mama Mia! at the box office, but both deserved sequels and live strong in the memories of their respective loyal fandoms. And hey, they’re both about strained relationships with father figures… sort of. —Piet Volk
The dark knight is streaming maxor available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play. Mama Mia! is streaming Peacockor available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play.
Marie Antoinette and The Prestige
Image: Columbia Pictures and image: Buena Vista Pictures
Discussion weekend: October 20, 2006
The prestige‘s its main competition at the box office was that of Clint Eastwood Flags of Our Fathers (The Prestige won), but for a true Barbenheimer experience, we’ll go a little lower on the box office charts for Sofia Coppola’s excellent Marie Antoinette. This Barbenheimer really has it all: an unconventional biopic, elevated aesthetics and pure magic. —PV
The prestige And Marie Antoinette are available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Beginning
Image: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
Discussion weekend: July 15, 2010
Start had a much more favorable opening box office ($836.8 million compared to $215.3 million) and generally enjoys a much glowing critical legacy than Nic Cage’s Disney film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. If you loved reality-warping A-lister-led weirdness interspersed with kid-friendly fantasy schlockiness, you could certainly do worse than watch these two movies back to back. -AT
Start is available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is streaming Disneyplusor available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play.
Girls Trip and Dunkirk
Image: Universal Pictures and Image: Warner Bros.
Discussion weekend: July 21, 2017
Another excellent example from Nolan Barbenheimering pairs one of his best films with one of the best raunchy comedies of recent years. Both contain groups of people who have been tested on a challenging journey. Only one shows Queen Latifah kissing with a lamp. Up to you to find out which one. —PV
Dunkirk is streaming Netflix And maxor available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play. girls trip is available for digital rental or purchase at Amazon, AppleTVAnd Google Play.