List of Barbie films

Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel, has starred or featured in 52 animated feature films and streaming television films since 2001, which has become a core component of an eponymous media franchise.

In response to a growing rise of digital and interactive media as well as the gradual decline of the sales in dolls, toys and accessories in the 1980s, Mattel partnered with animation studios to produce films[1][2] which were broadcast on Nickelodeon in the United States from 2002[3] and released on home video formats, originally by Family Home Entertainment and successor Lionsgate, then predominantly by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment,[4][5] both until 2017. From 2012 onwards, Mattel expanded the franchise beyond just the films to other audiovisual media such as web series, television shows and streaming television content, with the latter following the growing trend of streaming services and online platforms.[6] In 2020, Mattel revamped the films into streaming television films, branding them as animated "specials" and integrating them into the canon of the inaugural television show in the "Barbie" media franchise, Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures until 2024.[7][8]

A 2023 live-action film featuring the character and toyline was theatrically released[9][10][11] by Warner Bros. and Mattel Films, alongside LuckyChap Entertainment and Heyday Films.[12][13] Its release became part of a suggested double-feature phenomenon named Barbenheimer.

In August 2024, following the success of the 2023 live-action film, Mattel announced plans for a theatrically released animated Barbie film, with Universal Pictures' Illumination division as a potential production partner. Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the director and lead actress of the 2023 film respectively, are said to not be involved.[14][15]

  1. ^ Netherby, Jennifer (5 November 2001). "Best animated video premiere movie: Barbie in the Nutcracker". Video Business. Vol. 21, no. 45. p. 32. ProQuest 223911919.
  2. ^ "All 37 Best Barbie Movies List In Order with Infographic (2020)". Featured Animation. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. ^ "List of movies and specials aired on Nickelodeon". Nickandmore!. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  4. ^ Netherby, Jennifer (13 April 2006). "U enters the Barbie biz". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. ^ Jacobs, Evan (11 April 2006). "Barbie Finds New Home at Universal". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Barbie shows signs of life as Mattel plots comeback". Detroit Free Press. 18 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Barbie: Princess Adventures brings movie series back". ToonBarn. 19 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  8. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (18 February 2021). "Mattel Sets Pair of Barbie Animated Specials (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  9. ^ Hussaini Fahadullah, Syed (16 July 2022). "Barbie Movie Stars Wrap Filming In New Behind-The-Scenes Images". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  10. ^ Talawdekar, Sameer (18 July 2022). "Barbie Movie Wraps Filming with this BTS Look!". High On Cinema. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  11. ^ Pittman, Virginia (18 July 2022). "Filming on 'Barbie' has wrapped". AIPT Comics. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  12. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (15 July 2019). "Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach To Script Warner Bros' Live-Action Barbie Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Everything to Know About Margot Robbie's Live-Action 'Barbie' Movie". Us Weekly. 26 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  14. ^ Northrup, Ryan (2024-08-16). "New Barbie Movie Being Discussed, But Greta Gerwig & Margot Robbie Reportedly Aren't Thrilled". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  15. ^ Nash, Anthony (2024-08-16). "Mattel and Illumination in Talks Over Animated Barbie Movie". ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved 2024-08-17.