Perhaps to no one’s surprise, Barbie (yes, the same foot-tall doll that’s been the best friend of kids for generations) proved at the global box office that this is her world and we’re just living in it.
In a glorious flurry of pink and sparkle, the box office success of the new movie Barbie has once again reminded all of us of the profound and everlasting influence the Mattel doll has on pop culture. Directed by the three-time Oscar nominee, Greta Gerwig, and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the live-action Barbie movie has achieved unprecedented success, cementing its place in the annals of cinematic history.
Defying all the pre-release expectations, the film reeled in a mammoth $155 million on its opening weekend, beating both Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman to claim the record for the biggest-ever debut for a movie by a female director. That’s not all as the film has also become the biggest three-day debut of the year to date, surpassing The Super Mario Bros Movie which opened with $146.3 million. This debut not only pushed the boundaries of Gerwig’s illustrious career but also marked a significant milestone for women in Hollywood.
The star-studded, cotton candy-colored film offered a camp, bizarre, and charmingly novel perspective to the doll’s legacy, controversies, and all. The film didn’t shy away from the intricate and multi-faceted persona of the Mattel toy, providing a poignant and powerful commentary on self-image, acceptance, and individuality. Gerwig, who co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach, has expressed her intention to delve into the ‘thorny’ and ‘complicated’ aspects of the character, and it is this brave approach that has made “Barbie” the ‘zeitgeist’ film it has become.
Remarkably, the film has not only made waves domestically but also stirred the global market, with a dazzling collection of $337 million. This achievement isn’t just a testament to the universal appeal of the Barbie brand but also showcases the strength and depth of the film’s narrative, performances, and direction.
Adding to the theatrical fervor was the much-hyped release of Christopher Nolan’s historical drama Oppenheimer, which is responsible for creating a box-office phenomenon, Barbenheimer, a term lovingly coined by fans. The unique and healthy competition culminated in the fourth-biggest collective weekend of all time, a trend that had previously been led by monumental franchises such as Avengers and Star Wars.
Starring alongside Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie and Gosling’s Ken are a host of other characters brought to life by the likes of Issa Rae, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Helen Mirren, John Cena, and Will Ferrell, amongst others. Each one breathes life into their respective roles, adding layers of complexity and charm to the vibrant world of Barbieland.
The effective marketing of the movie played an instrumental role in its global reach. The marketing campaign for the film was as colorful and vivacious as the movie itself, painting towns pink with Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge renovation shows, touring events, gaming and beauty collaborations. This ingenious strategy, coupled with the film’s rave reviews, turned the movie into a cultural phenomenon, attracting a 65% female audience, a significant number considering most movies that generate over $100 million on debut have a majority male audience.
As if all the records it set weren’t enough, Barbie also now holds the record for the biggest opening ever for a film that isn’t a sequel, remake, or a superhero movie.
With an impressive opening, stellar cast, and powerful themes wrapped in a fun, pink package, the only question now is how far Barbie can go after this weekend. With an open runway in sight, it could very well enter the $1 billion club, joining the ranks of the cinematic elite.
If its international numbers can keep up with its domestic gross, this seems more than likely, and one thing is for certain: life is indeed fantastic for Barbie.
