IT IS the biggest weekend of the film calendar so far, as Barbie and Oppenheimer both were released today.

Christopher Nolan's biopic about the creator of the atomic bomb and Greta Gerwig's colourful tale about Mattel's mascot are going head to head for the number 1 slot at the box office.

Reviews for both have been glowing brighter than Barbie's teeth or an atomic blast, with Barbie garnering an average 81% approval rating on Metacritic, a website which collates reviews, versus a whopping 90% for Oppenheimer.

At Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton this afternoon, cinema fans were already queueing up to watch them.

Marmie, 23, from London and Emily, 22, from Southampton were seeing Barbie.

"It’s part of our childhood and it’s a really important part of all of our lives, so we have to see it," Marmie said.

Emily took her enthusiasm one step further.

She said: "She’s pink and blonde; I have to see it. I am Barbie, we’re all Barbie."

Alex, 23, and Lucy, 22, from Fareham, were seeing Oppenheimer.

Ahead of going in, Alex said: “It looks really good. Director’s meant to be good, I liked his other films and it looks quite spectacular in the trailer.”

Lucy said: "I know the director, and I thought it seems quite good and I want to know what it’s about.”

Film enthusiast Molly, 21, from Southampton planned to see both films in a double bill.

She said: "I think partly because it became such an internet meme I just thought I had to and they both sound like good films.

"And it’s just funny to do them both in the same day, because they’re both so different.”

Which one was she looking forward to seeing most?

She said: “Probably Barbie to be honest. I’ve always liked Barbie and I’m a big fan of Margot Robbie.”

Vote for which film you would rather see in our poll above.