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Fresh data from movie theaters shows that fans are actually planning to see the highly-anticipated “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” movies on the same day — a five-hour, popcorn-fueled marathon social media has dubbed the “Barbenheimer.”

The world’s largest movie chain, AMC Entertainment, has already sold more than 20,000 double-feature tickets to its AMC Stubs members, according to Variety.

AMC Theatres’ executive VP of worldwide programming, Elizabeth Frank, told the outlet that since Friday, there’s been a 33% increase in the number of moviegoers who have made their own double-feature by purchasing tickets to see both movies on the same day.

“The growing online conversation around seeing both of these incredible films is turning into ticket sales,” Frank told Variety.

Frank added that she’s expecting double-feature sales to surge even more across AMC’s 95 theaters ahead of the films’ release on July 21.

In the UK, major cinema chain Vue is seeing a similar trend.

As of Tuesday, 19% of people who booked tickets to see “Oppenheimer” at one of Vue’s 850-plus screens also bought tickets for “Barbie,” according to Bloomberg.

Alamo Drafthouse, a US-based cinema chain known for serving dinner and drinks during screenings, also said it’s seeing demand for the “Barbenheimer” double feature, including for its private events business that allows customers to rend out screens for corporate events and birthday parties, Bloomberg reported.

Nick Isani, private-event sales manager for the East Coast at Alamo Drafthouse, told the outlet: The requests to hire out spaces for ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ double-bills have been coming in for months.

He added that it’s unique to see such a “significant number” of requests from customers wanting to see the films back to back, especially for movies that are so different.

“Barbie” — Greta Gerwig’s two-hour, PG-13, live-action movie about the world’s most famed doll — is expected to sell more tickets overall than its Christopher Nolan-directed counterpart.

Low-end estimates from Box Office Pro show that the movie will bring in at least $85 million during its opening weekend.

While there’s not much known about the plot or tone of Barbie, it stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, contributed to a pink paint shortage, and has inspired culture and fashion dubbed Barbiecore.

The movies IMDb page reads: Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence, suggesting that life in plastic might not be so fantastic.

BARBENHEIMER by @ThatTallGinger. Available now on our web store: https://t.co/0h1EsnASzQ. pic.twitter.com/e9P7eGRiLC

Barbenheimer poster art by @SteveReevesArt pic.twitter.com/75ompodFPJ

Meanwhile, Nolan’s latest biographical thriller is forecasted to make at least $45 million on opening weekend, according to Box Office Pro.’s estimates.

The film is a three-hour, R-rated feature documentary exploring the true story of how physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, developed the first atomic bomb.

Other than the fact that both movies hit theaters on July 21, they have almost nothing in common — but evidence suggests that moviegoers are genuinely excited about both films anyway.

In the week leading up to the film’s simultaneous release, the internet has been ablaze with memes, jokes, artistic mashups, and even merchandise that mashes the movies together into the “Barbenheimer.”

Twitter users and artists have taken to the platform to a slew of fan-made movie posters of the movie mashup, featuring the iconic pink block lettering reminiscent of “Barbie” in the foreground and the fiery background attributable to “Oppenheimer.”

Another rendering pictures the movie’s two protagonists, with Barbie sitting cross-legged on Oppenheimer’s shoulder rather than Ken’s.

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SEC is scaling back its crypto enforcement unit: Report

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SEC is scaling back its crypto enforcement unit: Report

The SEC’s 50-person crypto unit is getting a shakeup with some staff reassigned to other areas, The New York Times reports.

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Environment

Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Subaru, and Kia EV sales climb in January

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Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Subaru, and Kia EV sales climb in January

Several automakers, including Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and Kia, reported higher EV sales in the US in January. Here’s a look at some of the top-selling EV models (outside of Tesla) last month.

EV sales in the US by model in January 2025

With nearly 133,000 electric vehicles sold in December, EVs accounted for 8.8% of new car sales in the US, a new record.

According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, the strong end-of-year sales helped push total EV sales to 1.3 million in 2024, up 7.3% from 2024.

With Trump reportedly planning to end electric vehicle incentives, like the $7,500 federal tax credit, demand is expected to pick up as buyers look to lock in the savings before they disappear.

Several automakers reported US sales numbers for January, giving us a better idea of how the EV market is playing out.

Ford sold 5,666 EVs last month, up 21% and a new January record. The Mustang Mach-E had its best January with 3,529 models sold, up 173% from January 2024. Last year, the Mach-E was the second best-selling electric SUV behind Tesla’s Model Y. This year, it’s already losing ground.

EV-sales-January
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

Despite higher demand for the Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning sales slipped 15% to 1,907 units. Ford’s E-Transit electric van sales also fell 80%, with only 230 models sold last month.

Kia sold 1,542 EV6 models sold last month. However, sales of its three-row EV9 were down slightly (1,232 vs 1,408 in January 2023).

EV-sales-January
2025 Kia EV6 US-spec model (Source: Kia)

Sister company Hyundai notched double-digit sales growth with its popular EV models. As the upgraded 2025 model (with more range and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers) rolled out, Hyundai IONIQ 5 sales climbed 54%, with 2,250 units sold in January. Although IONIQ 6 sales were up 15% year over year (YOY), only 871 models were sold.

EV model January 2025 sales
Honda Prologue 3,744
Ford Mustang Mach-E 3,529
Hyundai IONIQ 5 2,250
Ford F-150 Lightning 1,907
Kia EV6 1,542
Kia EV9 1,232
Subaru Solterra 1,052
Hyundai IONIQ 6 871
US electric vehicle sales by model in January 2025

The biggest surprise, again, was Honda. Honda’s electric Prologue continued to take the US by storm with another 3,744 models sold last month.

After delivering the first models last March, the Prologue was the seventh best-selling EV in the US in 2024. Honda sold over 33,000 Prologue’s in the US in 2024, beating out the Chevy Equinox EV (28,874) and Rivian R1S (26,934).

EV-sales-January
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

GM doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, so we’ll have to wait until April for quarterly sales to compare. Several others have yet to report January US sales. Check back for the latest numbers.

Tesla doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, but earlier today, Electrek reported that the EV maker saw its first annual drop in sales in California last year.

Are you in the market for a new electric vehicle? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on some of the most popular EVs in your area.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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Technology

Match appoints Zillow co-founder Spencer Rascoff as CEO

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Match appoints Zillow co-founder Spencer Rascoff as CEO

FILE PHOTO: Spencer Rascoff, co-founder and executive chairman of dot.LA, speaks during the Montgomery Summit in Santa Monica, California, U.S., on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Match Group announced on Tuesday that Zillow co-founder Spencer Rascoff will serve as its new CEO.

Rascoff, who has served as a member of the online dating company’s board since March 2024, will replace Bernard Kim in the role, Match said.

“During his time on the Board, Spencer has demonstrated a strong strategic perspective and deep understanding of Match Group’s brands and opportunities,” said Match Group Chairman Tom McInerney, in a statement. “We are confident in his ability to drive the company’s next phase of innovation and growth.”

Along with the leadership change, Match announced better-than-expected fourth-quarter results but lackluster guidance. Match posted earnings per share of 59 cents on $860 million in revenue. That topped the 54 cents per share in earnings and $859 million in revenue expected by analysts polled by LSEG.

However, the parent of Tinder and Hinge issued disappointing revenue guidance for the first quarter. The company forecast sales of $820 million to $830 million for the quarter, falling short of the $853 million estimate from LSEG.

The shares sank 7% in extended trading after the report.

Rascoff, 49, is best known for his role at Zillow. He co-founded the real estate technology company nearly two decades ago and served in various roles, including CEO, before departing in 2019. The Harvard University graduate also founded online travel website Hotwire, which Expedia bought for nearly $700 million in 2003.

Match was fully spun out of Barry Diller’s IAC Group in 2020, but has had a tough run as an independent public company. Its market cap was about $30 billion at the time of the transaction and has since shrunk below $10 billion, reflecting a dramatic slowdown in revenue growth.

Last month, IAC said its board approved the spinoff of Angi, the home improvement market place the company acquired in 2017.

WATCH: How I built my $400 million-a-year dating app Hinge

How I built my $400 million-a-year dating app Hinge

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