‘Barbie’ Hits the Billion-Dollar Mark in Record Time
Greta Gerwig’s pink-coated fantasy comedy, “Barbie,” has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing $1 billion at the global box office. This
Nik Richie
Greta Gerwig’s pink-coated fantasy comedy, “Barbie,” has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing $1 billion at the global box office. This impressive feat includes $459 million from North America and an additional $572 million internationally, solidifying its place in the billion-dollar club. Notably, Gerwig has become the first-ever solo female filmmaker to helm a billion-dollar film.
“Barbie” joins three other billion-dollar blockbusters co-directed by women, including the “Frozen” franchise with Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck and “Captain Marvel” co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. However, Gerwig’s solo achievement sets a new standard in the film industry.
In a mere 17 days since its release, “Barbie” has stormed into the elite group of billion-dollar films, earning the distinction of being the fastest Warner Bros. release to achieve this feat and ranking as the eighth fastest in the studio’s 100-year history. Previously, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” held this record at 19 days.
Jeff Goldstein, the studio’s president of domestic distribution, expressed pride in being a part of this exclusive club. The film’s continuous success can be attributed to its zeitgeist-smashing buzz and unwavering popularity, holding the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weekends, even amidst fierce competition.
The film’s impressive $155 million domestic debut marked the biggest opening weekend of 2023, as well as the best start for a film directed by a woman. Riding on a wave of anticipation, “Barbie” has become a cinematic phenomenon, benefiting from a brilliant marketing campaign and stellar word-of-mouth reviews. Its simultaneous release with Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” under the nickname “Barbenheimer” only added to the excitement.
Led by Greta Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” and co-written with her partner Noah Baumbach, “Barbie” features Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the titular roles. The film takes the stereotypical versions of Barbie and Ken on a thrilling journey of self-discovery outside their Dreamhouse. With a star-studded cast, including Issa Rae, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Helen Mirren, John Cena, and Will Ferrell, “Barbie” has captured hearts worldwide and continues to charm audiences, adding to its phenomenal box office success.
“Barbie” marks the second blockbuster of the year and the sixth in the pandemic-era to cross the $1 billion mark, cementing its place as one of the most successful films in recent times, alongside “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Jurassic World Dominion,” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.”