
The summer of 2023 delivered an unexpected cultural spectacle in Barbenheimer, a box office collision that turned two wildly different films into a shared cinematic event. The double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer became a phenomenon beyond what anyone could have predicted, with audiences embracing the tonal whiplash as part of the fun.
Greta Gerwig’s vibrant and satirical take on a beloved toy brand clashed beautifully with Christopher Nolan’s brooding historical drama, creating a rare moment where moviegoing felt like an event. Both films shattered expectations at the box office—Oppenheimer raked in over $950 million, while Barbie became Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing film ever, crossing the $1 billion mark.
Now, two years later, we may be facing another summer showdown, one that might not have the same accidental brilliance as Barbenheimer, but certainly carries the weight of two major franchises.
July 2025 will see the release of Superman, James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot of the Man of Steel, and Jurassic World Rebirth, Gareth Edwards’ attempt to breathe new life into the dinosaur-packed series. While no one is officially dubbing it Barbenheimer 2, the parallels are already there.
Jurassic World Rebirth is set to hit theaters on July 2, marking the franchise’s return after the divisive Jurassic World Dominion. Directed by Edwards, known for Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the film is promising a fresh narrative with a “sinister, shocking discovery” that could truly alter the franchise. Scarlett Johansson leads the cast, alongside Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, in what is expected to be a high-stakes mission centered on the world’s three most colossal dinosaurs.
On July 11, Superman will take flight as the first entry in Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe (DCU) relaunch following the now-defunct DC Extended Universe (DCEU). With David Corenswet stepping into the red cape, the film is meant to return Superman to his roots—optimism, humanity, and heroism—while setting the stage for a new interconnected franchise.
The stakes are particularly high given the DCEU’s struggles at the box office, but with Gunn’s track record (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad), expectations are high that this iteration of Superman will finally win over audiences.
Watch the official trailer for Superman from DC below:
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While the contrast between a superhero film and a dinosaur-driven action spectacle isn’t as stark as a pink fantasy comedy against an atomic bomb biopic, there’s still something exciting about two juggernauts releasing so close together. Both franchises have deeply passionate fan bases, and their success (or failure) could shape Hollywood’s approach to blockbuster filmmaking in the years ahead.
The real question is whether audiences will buy into another cinematic event. Barbenheimer worked because it was organic—nobody planned for the two films to be a double feature, yet the internet embraced the oddity and ran with it. Warner Bros. and Universal might hope lightning strikes twice, but recreating that kind of magic is easier said than done.
Still, as summer 2025 approaches, the stage is set for another major box office clash. Whether you’re team Superman or team dinosaurs, or if you plan on embracing both, one thing is certain: moviegoers are in for an unforgettable July.
Will you be Team Superman or Team Dinosaurs? Sound off in the comments!