The Barbie film has surpassed the billion-dollar mark just 17 days after its release, as announced by distributor Warner Bros. The movie is set to finish the weekend with an impressive $1.03 billion (£808 million) in ticket sales at the global box office.
This achievement makes Greta Gerwig the first woman to reach the billion-dollar milestone as a solo director, marking a “watershed moment,” according to Warner Bros. Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution in the US, praised Gerwig’s unique directorial touch that brought the iconic cross-generational doll to life in a funny, emotional, and entertaining story, turning the entire world “pink.”
The success of the Barbie film also signals a positive trend for the cinema industry, which had suffered due to pandemic lockdowns and competition from streaming platforms. Long queues at cinemas and repeat viewings demonstrate that “movies are back,” as people return to the big screen to enjoy the cinematic experience.
While other female directors have played a role in helming films that surpassed the billion-dollar mark, such as Frozen and its sequel, co-directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and Captain Marvel, co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Greta Gerwig’s achievement stands out as she was the sole director behind the successful Barbie film.
The film’s pink-hued theme and captivating storyline have earned it critical acclaim, and it has inspired audiences worldwide to take selfies at doll boxes installed in cinemas across the UK. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film has performed exceptionally well, with $459 million in the US and $572 million internationally.
Achieving “Barbillion,” as dubbed by Warner Bros, is a remarkable accomplishment shared by only five other films since the pandemic, including The Super Mario Brothers Movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World Dominion, and the Avatar sequel.
Barbie’s success at the box office has had a positive impact on the cinema industry, leading to higher footfall and record-breaking weekends for cinema chains like UK-based Vue. Audiences have often paired a viewing of Barbie with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, contributing to the surge in cinema attendance.
Margot Robbie, who not only starred as Barbie but also served as a producer on the film, expressed her confidence in the film’s potential during early meetings, predicting it would make a billion dollars. She shared that her enthusiasm may have led her to “oversell,” but the film’s commercial success justified her optimism.
The Barbie film’s marketing campaign has been extensive, with pink billboards displayed in cities globally, and a pink Tardis appeared at London’s Tower Bridge. Toy-maker Mattel, the brand behind Barbie, hopes to replicate this success with upcoming Hollywood movies featuring other Mattel brands such as Barney, Hot Wheels, and Polly Pocket.
Although the Barbie film’s success has been a positive achievement for Mattel, the company recently reported a 12% decline in sales for the three months ending in June. However, it remains hopeful for the future and continues to pursue more opportunities in the entertainment industry.
