The long-anticipated live-action Barbie film has been a concept in the making for several years. The project saw a carousel of writers, directors, and even leading stars before it settled on the fascinating trio of Greta Gerwig directing, Margot Robbie portraying Barbie, and Ryan Gosling as Ken. This unlikely team, consisting of Oscar nominees, took the reins to produce a movie based on the world’s most popular doll, which is intriguing considering Gerwig’s previous, more serious filmography.
Initial trailers didn’t quite set the world on fire, leaving many puzzled over the target demographic of the film, particularly given its daring proclamation: whether you despise Barbie or adore her, this movie is crafted for you. However, the first wave of feedback seems to have eased the most significant concern about the Barbie movie – its quality. If we’re to believe Aqua’s wish for fans to party with Barbie, the first impressions suggest that not only is the film enjoyable, but it’s also worthy of Oscar recognition.
Will Barbie Revive the Summer 2023 Box Office?
Among a summer movie line-up that includes Marvel and DC films, Harrison Ford’s final performance in Indiana Jones, and an array of other potential blockbusters, the prospect of Barbie emerging as one of the heavy hitters was relatively unforeseen at the year’s outset. Although many parents may not fully understand the meta, social commentary-infused film they’re taking their children to see, Barbie is predicted to yield one of the year’s largest opening weekend grosses. With an estimated $80 million domestic box office haul, Barbie is likely to outshine Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Flash, Fast X and could potentially outpace Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, which releases the same weekend.
The key takeaway is that Barbie could very well be one of 2023’s most successful films, an achievement that is not easily attained given the current cinematic climate. Amid a year where many “sure-success” films have faltered, if Barbie can clinch a solid opening weekend and maintain the kind of praise that early reviews have bestowed, it could easily ascend the ranks of the year’s top-grossing films.
Expect to hear more about Barbie in the coming week as Gosling, Robbie, and the rest of the star-studded cast gear up for promotional efforts ahead of the film’s release next weekend. The ensemble cast includes notable names such as Kate McKinnon, Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, John Cena, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, and Dame Helen Mirren.
The global release of Barbie is set for July 21. Mark your calendars and prepare for an unexpectedly significant cinematic event. This could be the film that demonstrates even the most unlikely candidates have the potential to achieve unexpected box-office success and critical acclaim.
