The Barbie film has achieved a remarkable milestone by crossing the billion-dollar mark in just 17 days since its release, as reported by Warner Bros, the film’s distributor. This accomplishment also makes Greta Gerwig the first woman to reach the billion-dollar milestone as a solo director.

Warner Bros celebrated the success of the film, describing it as a “watershed moment.” The movie has garnered $1.03 billion in ticket sales at the global box office, with audiences worldwide embracing the cross-generational icon and her captivating world brought to life by Greta Gerwig’s direction.

Jeff Goldstein, the president of domestic distribution in the US stated: “No-one but Greta Gerwig could have brought this cross-generational icon and her world to life in such a funny, emotional and entertaining story… literally turning the entire world pink.”

The film’s success comes as a significant boost to the cinema industry, which had suffered during the pandemic due to lockdowns and competition from streaming platforms. The long lines in cinemas and repeat viewings have shown that movies are making a strong comeback.

“Barbillion,” as Warner Bros described it, is an achievement 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.

Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the pink-hued film has received critical acclaim and inspired fans to take selfies with doll boxes installed in cinemas across the UK.

The film’s marketing campaign has been extensive, with pink billboards in cities worldwide and a pink Tardis appearing at Tower Bridge. Margot Robbie, who also served as one of the producers, confidently predicted early on that the movie would make a billion dollars.

“I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, okay?!” Margot Robbie said in an interview with Collider.

Mattel, the toy-maker behind Barbie, is hoping to replicate this success with other films featuring its brands such as Barney, Hot Wheels, and Polly Pocket, which are set to appear in upcoming Hollywood movies.

Despite the film’s triumph, Mattel recently reported a 12% decline in sales for the three months leading up to the end of June. Nevertheless, the success of the Barbie film has undoubtedly cemented its place as a significant milestone in the entertainment industry.