topics

politics-policy

epstein-files

donald-trump

2026-midterm-elections

immigration

behind-the-curtain

race-and-equity

technology

privacy-tech-regulation

automation-and-ai

tiktok-news

big-tech

social-media

cybersecurity

economy

social-security

inflation

tariffs

federal-reserve

jobs

transportation

business

stock-market-news

retail-news

crypto

media

elon-musk

dealmaking

health

rfk-jr

drug-prices

axios-explains-abortion

public-health

world

israel

axios-explains-ukraine

iran

russia

china

energy-climate

nuclear-energy

climate-energy-policy

climate-change

extreme-weather

alternative-energy

electric-vehicles

science

emerging-tech

biomedicine

newsletters

pittsburgh

atlanta

san-diego

charlotte

boulder

washington-dc

kansas-city

dallas

denver

detroit

des-moines

austin

boston

chicago

cleveland

columbus

houston

indianapolis

miami

nashville

new-orleans

nw-arkansas

philadelphia

phoenix

portland

richmond

salt-lake-city

san-antonio

san-francisco

seattle

tampa-bay

twin-cities

raleigh

huntsville

colorado-springs

axios-local

axios-pro

axios-live

the-axios-show

National

Media Trends

Axios Media Trends

"Barbie" is officially the biggest movie of the year, after bringing in a staggering $162 million in its opening weekend, according to numbers from Comscore. 

Why it matters: The film's success proves movies with a strong female lead can pull their weight at the box office, especially amid superhero fatigue.

Not only did "Barbie" post the biggest domestic opening ever for a non-superhero film or sequel, but it was also the biggest opening in history for a female director. 

"It shows how important it is to have people have different points of view sitting in the director's chair," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, referring to "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig. Gerwig previously directed indie films such as "Lady Bird" and "Little Women." 

Details: "Barbie" saw the biggest opening day of the year on Friday, bringing in $70.8 million, per Comscore. 

Strong weekend showings on Saturday and Sunday led it to a $162 million gross open for the weekend. 

Overall, "Barbie" earned $356.3 million for its opening debut, including international sales, according to numbers from Warner Bros. Discovery, which distributed the film. 

Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller "Oppenheimer" came in a distant second, with a still-impressive $82 million domestic weekend haul, per Comscore. 

The film brought in roughly $180 million in total this weekend, including international sales, which will put it well ahead of industry estimates. 

Between the lines: The two combined hits already have made this past weekend one of the most successful domestic box office weekends of all time, per data from Comscore. 

The North American weekend box office hasn't seen that level of momentum since the debut of “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.

Yes, but: The "Barbie"-"Oppenheimer" double-header is likely to be the last major weekend opener at the box office for some time. 

The ongoing Hollywood writers and actors strikes make it unlikely any film in the near term will be able to market itself to the same extent ahead of a film's release. 

The big picture: This weekend's movie mania brought some much-needed momentum back to the box office, which is still struggling to return to its pre-pandemic state. 

Even with the massive ticket sales for "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer", the domestic box office is still down 20% from pre-pandemic levels. 

"It's so important for the industry, but the headwinds and the uncertainty is looming out there," Dergarabedian said of this weekend's crowds. "Right now, we're on a sugar high, and that's fantastic. But at some point, everyone's going to have to face the implications of these strikes."

What to watch: The "Barbie"-"Oppenheimer" momentum "will be key heading into August" with several wide releases expected, including "Blue Beetle," and "The Equalizer 3," Dergarabedian said. 

August, he said, "is a land of opportunity for films that might not necessarily plugin perfectly in the heart of the summer movie season."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the latest details on box office takings.

"Barbie" makes history with $162 million blockbuster weekend debut

The film's success proves movies with a strong female lead can pull their weight at the box office, especially amid superhero fatigue.

Movies

Economy

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

The Department of Justice sued Texas on Monday over a string of buoys deployed by the state on the Rio Grande River to prevent people from illegally crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, saying it violates federal environmental law and threatens public safety.

Why it matters: In addition to the floating barrier, Texas has set up miles of razor wire barriers along crossing points on the river near Eagle Pass. 

The state is currently investigating claims made by a state trooper that superiors had ordered officers to push migrants, including children and babies, back into the river and to deny them drinking water, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The trooper also alleged that the razor wire has injured multiple people, including a woman who had a miscarriage while caught in the wire.

What they're saying: The Justice Department argued in the lawsuit that Texas' floating barrier violates the Rivers and Harbors Act, which is often considered the oldest federal environmental law.

“We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal authorization,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement.

“This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns.  Additionally, the presence of the floating barrier has prompted diplomatic protests by Mexico and risks damaging U.S. foreign policy.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), in a statement on Monday, claimed that the string of buoys was legal because the Constitution "grants Texas sovereign authority to protect its borders."

"Mr. President, Texas will see you in court," Abbott said on social media in response to the lawsuit.

The big picture: The string of buoys and concertina wire is part of Texas' "Operation Lone Star," which has cost the state billions of dollars while having little effect on migration, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Though the river defines the Texas border, it's also the marked boundary between Mexico and the U.S and falls under the International Boundary and Water Commission's jurisdiction.

The commission has stated that it did not authorize Texas' placement of the barrier, according to AP.

Illegal border crossings also dropped to the lowest level in over two years in June.

Go deeper: Record migration sparks backlash in wealthy nations

Record migration sparks backlash in wealthy nations

Dallas

blue

Axios Dallas Partners

Dallas Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Dallas with Tasha Tsiaperas and Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi.

Axios Dallas

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Tasha Tsiaperas and Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi.

Axios Dallas Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Dallas Members

Membership

Austin

Axios Austin Partners

Austin Alerts

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Austin with Asher Price and Nicole Cobler.

Axios Austin

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

Axios Austin Thought Bubble

Austin Members

Houston

Houston Alerts

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Houston with Jay R. Jordan and Shafaq Patel.

Axios Houston

Axios Houston Partners

A picture of the Houston skyline with the letters IAH

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Houston.

Axios Houston Thought Bubble

Houston Members

San Antonio

San Antonio Alerts

Axios San Antonio Partners

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting San Antonio.

Axios San Antonio Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in San Antonio with Megan Stringer and Madalyn Mendoza.

Axios San Antonio

San Antonio Members

DOJ sues Texas Gov. Abbott over Rio Grande buoy barrier

"Mr. President, Texas will see you in court," Abbott said online in response to the lawsuit.

A string of buoys built by Texas on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 13, 2023.

A string of buoys built by Texas on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 13, 2023. Photo: Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Immigration

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

The Israeli parliament has passed the first bill of the Netanyahu government's controversial judicial overhaul plan in a vote that was boycotted by the opposition and took place amid mass anti-government protests.

Why it matters: The plan, which will weaken the Supreme Court and other democratic institutions, has faced opposition from some of Israel's closest allies, including the Biden administration, and it has already destabilized the country's economy and military. 

The plan was first introduced less than a week after Netanyahu's coalition — the most right-wing in Israel's history — was sworn into power. 

It includes a series of measures that will weaken Israel's judiciary. The bill that passed on July 24 significantly limits the Supreme Court's oversight of government actions and policies and ends the court's ability to strike down government decisions and appointments on the basis of "reasonability."

The plan initially included a measure that would have given the Knesset the power to override Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority, but Netanyahu has said that piece of the overhaul has been dropped. 

The plan also envisions changing the system for appointing judges and giving more power to politicians in the appointment process, though Netanyahu has said he will not allow one political side to have full control of the Supreme Court.

Additionally, the plan includes changing the law so that ministers would be able to install political appointees as legal advisers in their ministries, something that is not under their authority today. 

Why is Netanyahu and his coalition pushing for the plan?

The governing coalition introduced the plan, which it has labeled "judicial reform," much earlier than expected, as the Supreme Court prepared to rule on whether the appointment of Aryeh Deri, a key Netanyahu ally, should be revoked because of his past criminal convictions. The court ultimately ruled against Deri's appointment. 

"People use the immense power they were given in order to replace the will of the people — this will turn against them," Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who introduced the judicial overhaul plan, said in January in solidarity with Deri. 

Netanyahu called the bill that passed in July a "needed democratic step."

Between the lines: The judicial overhaul plan was introduced as Netanyahu stands trial for fraud, breach of trust and bribery. He denies any wrongdoing. 

The Israeli opposition has warned that Netanyahu is pushing for the new plan as part of his effort to stop the trial. 

Several ministers from Netanyahu's party in recent weeks called for the firing of the attorney general. Such a scenario could be a key phase in stopping the trial.

Israel's opposition has blasted the plan as undemocratic, labeled it as a "constitutional coup," and warned it threatens to tear Israeli society apart.

The opposition boycotted the final vote on the first bill, which passed in its most extreme form. 

"Today we saw an unprecedented show of weakness by Netanyahu," Lapid tweeted after the first overhaul bill passed. 

"There is no prime minister in Israel. Netanyahu has become a puppet on a string of Messianic extremists," he added, referring to members of the coalition who threatened to bring the government down if the bill didn't pass.

Tens of thousands of Israelis across the country have protested the judicial overhaul for months.

What to know about Israel’s contentious judicial overhaul plan

The first part of the plan passed, despite mass protests.

Axios

Monday's top stories

"Barbie" makes history with $162 million blockbuster weekend debut

DOJ sues Texas Gov. Abbott over Rio Grande buoy barrier

What to know about Israel’s contentious judicial overhaul plan

Jobs boom at the state level

Twitter’s X rebrand revives Elon Musk’s superapp plans

Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attacks in Moscow, Crimea

How Trump could slow the U.S. EV transition

Women's World Cup: Where are all the goals?

AI boom's big winners are all in four states

Historic and enduring U.S. heat wave, by the numbers