Several thoughts on this.

First, a bit of background on me: I'm a dyed-in-the-wool, old school cineaste who believes cinema is the best place to see a film, first and foremost. That is a hill I will die on. I have gone to the cinema consistently (normally at least two or three times per week, often more) for decades. I was the first one back when cinemas reopened after Covid and the first one back when they reopened a second time after another closure (here in the UK). So I'm fully invested in proper recovery for cinemas.

Second, I believe said recovery will and already is taking place (not just with Barbie and Oppenheimer, but with several other films over the last couple of years). Some of these have been unusual and surprising, once again proving the adage in Hollywood that no one really knows anything. Every film is a gamble.

Third, whilst there is a potential existential threat from the writers/actors strike, I believe that eventually will be resolved. Because that period is controllable and finite (unlike Covid), I don't think cinemas will suffer in the long run. Cinemas have survived television, VHS, DVD, home cinema systems, streaming, and Covid. The writers/actors strike won't be the thing that sinks them.

Fourth, I am sure Hollywood will try all sorts of ridiculous things to cash in on this (Saw Patrol et al). These attempts are probably doomed to failure as "Barbenheimer" was lightning in a bottle. I think both films would have done well in any case, simply because they are good films by major filmmakers that people wanted to see.