It’s the movie event of the year: two diametrically opposed, highly-anticipated films at the same time (Jul 20)—and neither of them are about superheroes. It’s the first weekend to experience the Barbenheimer. 

 

The Barbenheimer—watching the dark and morally complex “Oppenheimer” from Christopher Nolan and the “Barbie” romp from the Academy Award-winning Greta Gerwig on the same day—is the most anticipated double feature since Grindhouse in 2007. People are actually excited to go to the movies again. 

 

As for which film to attend first, this is a matter philosophers will be discussing for decades to come. However, it’s important to note that your movie nerd friends will be really annoying if you don’t go see “Oppenheimer” in IMAX.

 

 

This is good news, as the IMAX theaters in Bangkok are from Major Cinema and they have the best popcorn (seriously, get your act together, SF Cinema). What’s more, three Bangkok cinemas got the so-called “Imax with Laser” upgrade last year. These include Paragon Cineplex inside Siam Paragon, Mega Cineplex inside Mega Bangna, and the Icon Cineconic inside Iconsiam.

 

There are three other IMAX theaters in Bangkok, including the centrally located Quartier Cineart at the plush EmQuartier, Westgate Cineplex, and Major Cineplex Ratchayothin. To book in advance (and you probably should), download the sometimes unreliable Major App.  

 

Christopher Nolan insists “Oppenheimer” be watched in IMAX, but he also thought Batman survived a neutron bomb so there you go. 

 

Things are a little bit easier with “Barbie.” Greta Gerwig doesn’t care how you watch it. But, a lot of folks are dressing up for this bit and Barbie lends herself to more costumes than a dour theoretical physicist who unlocked the power of matter. As such, it lends itself to before-and-after theme fun. 

 

If you’re watching “Oppenheimer” first, you should have some time to slip in a few drinks and forget about the mutable human folly of discovery before going to watch Margot Robbie wear lots of pink. It might also be a good idea to make “Barbie” your second film because the Pink Bar at Lebua doesn’t open until 5pm; it’s a pink, luxe, 1950s-style champagne bar to thematically tie one on before hitting the theater. Don’t make the mistake of going to Pink Panther in Patpong—just…just don’t.

 

 

Restaurants on theme are easy to come by, what with the explosion of Insta-happy dessert cafes. Try Sretsis Parlour at Central World, Thongyoy Cafe, or Unicorn Cafe. If you want to eat like the saccharine world of “Barbie,” maybe hop over to Ici for unbelievable sweet (and twee) treats. 

 

Since it doesn’t matter where you see Barbie and you’re going to want to zhuzh up the experience, you might want to go for one of Bangkok’s plush theater experiences.

 

A favorite is the Embassy Diplomat Screens atop Central Embassy. If you want to experience both movies and really don’t care about splashing out, this sort of thing will cost you B4,000 for a large day bed for two—but it comes with buffet style finger food, welcome drinks, and a complimentary fridge of beer. You’ll get the same at Paragon Cineplex’s Enigma theater. 

 

 

If you want to keep things dark, mysterious, and Oppenheimer-y for your Barbenheimer nightcap, there are more 1930s style speakeasies than you can shake a stick at in Bangkok. Abandoned Mansion is an on-theme pick if you’re feeling slightly gangster, and Q&A Bar will keep you in an early 20th century New York vibe.

 

And, there you have it, all the best ways in Bangkok to enjoy a movie about a children's toy icon and a film about a technological pandora’s box that would come to imperial all life on Earth. So, grab your popcorn and pinkest shirt, turn off your phone (no, really turn off your phone), stand/sit for the anthem as is your wont, and get ready for the movie experience of the year.