Barbie brings home a billion dollars
Barbie didn't just strut her way into theatres, she sashayed her hot-pink self straight into the billion-dollar club in a mere 17 days. Greta Gerwig's creation with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling leading the glamorous parade, confidently flaunted its $1 billion global box office earnings yesterday.
A dream run
From being the ultimate dream house enthusiast to teaching us that a billion bucks isn't just a pipe dream, Barbie's journey has been nothing short of iconic. With around $459 million from the US and a globetrotting $572 million internationally, she's redefining the notion of "playing it cool."
This achievement solidifies Barbie as the second-highest grossing film of the year, positioning it on a determined trajectory towards the top.
Top 10 highest-grossing films of 2023:
— Cinemania World (@Cinemania_World) August 6, 2023
1. #TheSuperMarioBrosMovie - $1.35B*🇺🇸
2. #Barbie - $1.03B* 🇺🇸
3. #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 - $845M* 🇺🇸
4. #FastX - $723M* 🇺🇸
5. #SpiderManAcrosstheSpiderVerse- $683M* 🇺🇸
6. #FullRiverRed - $674M 🇨🇳
7. #TheWanderingEarth2 - $604M 🇨🇳…
When Barbie made her grand entrance on Barbenheimer weekend in July 2023 she didn't just say "Hey Barbie!", she screamed it in hot-pink neon lights.
- Raking in over $155 million in the US domestic box office on its opening weekend, she proved that you don't need a cape to be a superhero - just a dazzling wardrobe and some existential questions.
Success at home and abroad
Since its premiere on July 21, Barbie has captivated audiences worldwide, generating approximately $459 million domestically and an impressive $572 million internationally.
The film's success has been widely reported, drawing attention to its hot-pink outfits and thought-provoking themes. Beyond its fashionable appeal, Barbie has evolved into a testament to womanhood and an exploration of existential questions that resonate deeply with its viewers.
- Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster has since broken records left and right, snatching the title of the year's biggest opening weekend and the crown for the most lucrative opening weekend for a woman-directed film.
- With over $70.5 million on its first day and an encore of nearly $34.6 million on the second Saturday, Barbie didn't just play the game, she owned it.
Sure, she's the second-highest grossing film this year, trailing behind Nintendo's moustachioed duo in The Super Mario Bros Movie that grossed a walloping $1.35 billion; but hey, silver's not too shabby, especially when it comes with a one-billion-dollar shine.
Besides, Barbie is on its track towards that top spot sooner or later. In fact leading star, Margot Robbie, might have undersold her own prediction that the film would make a billion.
From believing the movie would never get made to earning a BILLION dollars at the box office - congratulations to Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, and the #Barbie team. pic.twitter.com/9z0Mrb3sAW
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 6, 2023
A journey ahead
Though the film has achieved remarkable milestones, it still has a journey ahead before it can rival box office giants like James Cameron's Avatar and Avengers: Endgame. These records remain distant benchmarks, with Avatar's $2.92 billion and Avengers: Endgame $2.80 billion towering above. But then, nobody gets to a billion without a few bold leaps, and Barbie's iconic pink pumps are up for the challenge.
Barbie's rapid ascent and its cultural impact have marked it as a standout success in the world of cinema. Its unique marketing campaign contributed significantly to its resounding success.
- The "Barbenheimer" global cultural event captured the collective imagination, amplifying anticipation for the film's release and showcasing the power of effective marketing strategies.
Though some on the Internet have prophesied the ‘devastating’ consequences of having inadvertently fuelled Warner Bros and Mattel’s upcoming cinematic endeavours...
Greta Gerwig rn: https://t.co/lIZ6cbfGJO pic.twitter.com/h7h2D0GQn0
— The Film Drunk (@thefilmdrunk) July 26, 2023
From overcoming years of developmental challenges to proving the viability of pairing visionary direction with an iconic concept, Barbie's journey to the billion-dollar milestone underscores the potency of creative collaboration and cinematic storytelling.
As the film continues to captivate audiences and make its mark on the box office history books, it's clear that Barbie's influence will extend far beyond its plastic origins.