Barbie has taken the box office by storm once again. The adventure-comedy sensation has just soared past a jaw-dropping $1.342 billion at the global box office, landing it firmly in the history books. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barbie is now crowned as Warner Bros.’ top-grossing theatrical release of all time, without accounting for inflation. Talk about making history!
This impressive milestone means that Barbie has overtaken the previous record-holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Remember that flick? It held the throne as Warner Bros.’ most successful release following its 2011 debut, raking in a hefty $1.341 billion across theaters worldwide.
But wait, there’s more! Barbie’s victorious financial conquest doesn’t stop there. Just days ago, it also left The Super Mario Bros. Movie in the dust, snatching the title of the highest-grossing film of 2023 thus far in the domestic box office, as multiple sources have reported.
Greta Gerwig, the talented director behind the film, has been on a roll. Barbie not only zipped past 2008’s The Dark Knight as Warner Bros.’ top domestic earner, but it also skyrocketed past the coveted $1 billion mark in the global box office within just over two weeks of its July 21 release. Margot Robbie, starring as the iconic Barbie, led the charge, capturing the domestic box office crown for the first four weekends until Blue Beetle swooped in on August 18.
Barbie’s impact has spread beyond the cinema too! Ryan Gosling’s catchy tune “I’m Just Ken” made its grand entrance on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 87 earlier this month.
Margot Robbie, who also produced Barbie through her LuckyChap Entertainment, wasn’t shy about her confidence in the film’s success. In an interview before the actors’ strike, she boldly predicted the movie would hit the billion-dollar mark when pitching the idea. “You’ve got Barbie and Greta Gerwig,” she confidently stated during the green-light meeting. And it seems her prophecy wasn’t too far off the mark!
But the Barbie parade doesn’t stop there. Warner Bros. announced that the movie will have an IMAX release starting September 22 for a limited time. Director Greta Gerwig herself has selected special new footage for this version, making it even more of a must-see on the big screen.
Barbie fans, rejoice! Your support has truly made a mark, and the excitement continues to grow. Gerwig couldn’t be happier, saying, “We made Barbie for the big screen, so it’s an even bigger thrill to be able to bring it to IMAX, the biggest screen of all.” So, mark your calendars for the IMAX release and get ready to relish more of the Barbie magic that has taken the world by storm.
