Blockbuster Film “Barbie” Exceeds $1 Billion in Box Office Sales Worldwide
The highly anticipated film “Barbie” has surpassed the $1 billion mark in box office ticket sales worldwide in just two-and-a-half weeks since its release, according to Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of production studio Warner Brothers. The movie, featuring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken, has become a massive success, selling $549 million worth of tickets domestically (including the US and Canada) and an additional $572.1 million overseas.
The exceptional box office performance of “Barbie” has even left the distribution chiefs at Warner Bros. speechless. Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps, who oversee the film’s domestic and international distribution, expressed their astonishment at the film’s success, stating, “As distribution chiefs, we’re not often rendered speechless by a film’s performance, but Barbillion has blown even our most optimistic predictions out of the water.”
The sales figures have been confirmed by media analytics firm Comscore, solidifying the film’s immense global success. “Barbie” has also left its top competitor, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” biopic, in its wake, with “Oppenheimer” grossing $228.6 million domestically and $552.9 million globally, establishing it as the highest grossing adults-only rated film of the year.
In addition to achieving a record-breaking box office milestone, “Barbie” has also set a significant record for its director and co-writer Greta Gerwig. Gerwig becomes the first female solo director to surpass the $1 billion benchmark, with other female directors previously achieving this feat only as co-directors. Gerwig, who received an Oscar nomination for her previous work, including “Ladybird” and the 2019 production of “Little Women,” has further cemented her presence as a trailblazing filmmaker.
“Barbie” explores thought-provoking themes related to the doll’s impact on women’s self-image and patriarchy. The film follows the journey of Barbie and Ken as they venture out of “Barbie Land” and embark on an adventure in the real world. It skillfully delves into societal controversies while maintaining a playfully entertaining narrative.
The success of “Barbie” adds it to the list of recent films that have crossed the $1 billion box office barrier, including this year’s “The Super Mario Bros” and last year’s “Top Gun: Maverick” sequel, as well as the 2022 second installment of “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
The outstanding box office achievement of “Barbie” not only showcases its widespread popularity but also emphasizes the impact and relevance of female-led projects in the entertainment industry. With its record-breaking director and its exploration of contemporary issues, “Barbie” has proven to be a noteworthy cultural phenomenon.