Barbie is a satirical fantasy comedy film released in 2023, directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the screenplay with her husband, Noah Baumbach. This film marks the first live-action adaptation of the iconic fashion dolls by Mattel, following a series of animated films and specials. Barbie amassed an impressive $1.448 Billion at the Box Office, setting multiple records, including being Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing film, the top-grossing film of 2023, and the 14th highest-grossing film in history at the time of it’s release. Barbie is an ALL-TIME BLOCKBUSTER at domestic Box Office.
Featuring Margot Robbie in the lead role as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the story takes them on a transformative journey of self-discovery through both Barbieland and the real world, triggered by an existential crisis.
The journey to a live-action Barbie film began in September 2009 when Universal Pictures announced the project, with Laurence Mark as the producer. Development took a significant step forward in April 2014 when Sony Pictures secured the film rights.
After several changes in writers and directors, and the initial casting of Amy Schumer followed by Anne Hathaway as Barbie, the rights eventually moved to Warner Bros. Pictures in October 2018. Margot Robbie was cast in 2019 after Gal Gadot declined the role due to scheduling issues, and in 2020, Gerwig was confirmed as the director and co-writer alongside Baumbach.
The complete cast was revealed in early 2022, and principal photography took place mainly at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England, and at the Venice Beach Skatepark in Los Angeles from March to July 2022. Barbie made it’s debut at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 9, 2023, and hit theaters across the United States on July 21.
It’s simultaneous release alongside Universal Pictures’ Oppenheimer sparked the ‘Barbenheimer’ trend, prompting audiences to enjoy both films as a double feature. Recognized as one of the top ten films of 2023 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, Barbie garnered extensive critical praise and numerous accolades, including eight Academy Award nominations (notably for Best Picture).
It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘What Was I Made For?’, which also secured the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, while the film itself was honored with the inaugural Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
