Like "Barbie" And "Oppenheimer", These Iconic Films Came Out On The Same Day – But Only Movie Experts Will Know Which Had Higher Box Office Sales

I did NOT know Elf and Love Actually shared a release date.

If you've so much as glanced at the Internet lately, you probably know that the upcoming Barbie and Oppenheimer joint release has movie-goers worldwide in a tizzy.

ABC

The iconic double release got us thinking about other unmissable movies which came out on the same day. So, we thought we'd share 11 film twins, and challenge you to work out which one grossed the most box office sales in their opening weekend. Enjoy!

1. The Matrix and 10 Things I Hate About You came out on the same day.

Warner Bros / Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

March 31, 1999 was a good day for movie lovers. Both The Matrix AND 10 Things I Hate About You came out on that Wednesday (yes, a Wednesday) – actually, very similar vibes to the upcoming Barbie/Oppenheimer release, right?

2. Ghostbusters and Gremlins was a spooky double bill.

Warner Bros / Columbia Pictures

Both came out on June 8, 1984. Not only did the two movies run on the same day, but they had pretty similar themes – a tough sell for execs, right?

3. Elf and Love Actually came out on the same day (WHY wasn't I old enough to buy tickets!!!).

New Line Cinema,

If you weren't feeling particularly festive on November 7th, 2003, well, tough luck. Both Elf  AND Love Actually (mandatory Christmas watches, IMO) came out that Friday – and yes, I do think every cinema should be forced to recreate the double bill yearly.

4. Jumanji and Heat both launched on the same day.

Sony Pictures / Warner Bros

Speaking of wintertime cinema treats, both Jumanji and Heat came out on Dec. 15, 1995. It was a Friday, so you could have treated yourself to a, uh, varied movie-going weekend.

5. Toy Story and Casino were released on the same day.

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution / Universal Pictures

On November 22, 1995, Woody and Buzz hit the big screens – as did Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci in Scorcese's Casino. Talk about big names, right?

6. Boyz N The Hood and Point Break were released on the same day.

Columbia Pictures / Twentieth Century Fox

Like Southern California? You probably would have loved July 12, 1991. Both movies involved the area, but had very different visions. Still, both were award-winners. 

7. Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan and Poltergeist came out on the same day.

Paramount Pictures / MGM/UA Entertainment Co.

Whether you like sci-fi or the supernatural, I reckon you would have adored June 4, 1982. Both The Wrath of Khan and Poltergeist launched on that day, making it an alien and ghost double whammy (eww, but also, ooh).

8. Blade Runner and The Thing were released on the same date.

Warner Bros. /  Universal Pictures

Apparently, there was gore galore on June 25, 1982. Both Blade Runner and The Thing featured grisly scenes and violent acts, and both were released while Spielberg's E.T. had just launched. 

9. You could have seen the release of Rising Arizona and Evil Dead II on the same (chaotic) day, if you'd wanted to.

20th Century Fox /

The Coen brothers' crime comedy Raising Arizona came out on March 13, 1987 – the same day as Sam Raimi's grisly horror Evil Dead II (personally, I'd have skipped the latter, thanks). 

10. Die Hard and A Fish Called Wanda went out in cinemas on the same day.

20th Century Fox / MGM / United International Pictures

"I love both English barristers AND action heroes. When is it going to be MY day?!", I hear you ask. Well, I regret to inform you that unfortunately, that time has passed – it was July 15, 1988, when both Die Hard and A Fish Called Wanda were released.

11. Pulp Fiction and Hoop Dreams were released on the same day.

Fine Line Features / Miramax Films

After successful runs in both Sundance and Cannes, Pulp Fiction and the three-hour documentary Hoop Dreams came out on October 14, 1994 (a good day for cinephiles).