This summer students filled their vacation time with concerts and movie-going. From the viral “Barbenheimer” trend, to Taylor Swift’s two sold-out concerts at Arrowhead Stadium, students had their hands full with out-of-the-house activities.

This summer the whole world was talking about “Barbenheimer,” when on Saturday, July 22, both the movies “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” came out. The release date began circulating online, and soon memes about seeing both of the movies on the same day, and memes about the crowds of each film went viral. By the time the movie came out, the trend was at its peak and many anticipated the release day, nicknamed “Barbenheimer.” Theaters saw huge crowds come in, according to B&B employee junior Chris Briones.

“It was pretty intense, seeing that there were almost two thousand people (at the theater) that day,” Briones said. 

47.1% of students who took a poll said “Barbie” was the best movie they saw all summer, 73.6% of poll-takers saw only “Barbie.” 20.3% saw both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” and only 5.7% saw only “Oppenheimer.”

Globally, “Barbie” made $780 million at the box office, and Oppenheimer made $400 Million.

“I think I saw Barbie with some friends, But that was about it, it was pretty good,” sophomore Micah Oberfoell said.

Just weeks before “Barbenheimer,” singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” hit Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, July 7 and 8. Once the concert date was announced, tickets were in immediate demand. Several months prior to the show in November 2022, the concert was completely booked.

Students who saw Swift report being very satisfied with their concert experience. 

“Best night of my life, I will tell you that,” senior Tristan Young said. “Even if I get married, if Taylor Swift’s not at my wedding, it won’t top it.”