There are more than 40 Barbie movies, and we ranked them all
25.07.2023 - 12:49
/ polygon.com
/ Greta Gerwig
Real Barbie fans know that the iconic blond fashion doll has had a long cinematic career, decades before Greta Gerwig’s satirical live-action movie Barbie. Barbie’s movie roots started in 2001 with the direct-to-VHS feature Barbie in the Nutcracker, and she’s since gone on to star in 41 animated movies.
Float into our DreamHouse: Barbie World is Polygon’s dive into everything Barbie, from her legacy as an iconic toy to her presence in games and movies.
People who grew up as Barbie fans after 2001 probably have their Barbie movie, the one they watched over and over again as kids and have practically memorized. But there’s more to Movie Barbie than our specific childhood favorites — her film career has gone through many different phases, from straight-up fairy-tale adaptations to hard science fiction. And also fantasy movies featuring mermaids. There have been a lot of Barbie mermaids. But one thing is constant across all Barbie movies: She’s the hero of her own story, saving the day (and often the world!) with her best friends, all while looking super cute.
So which movies hold up? Which ones truly embody the Barbie energy that has been in the zeitgeist over the past few months? Which are worthy of checking out when you exit the theater in a post-Barbie high?
As is my nature and my calling, I sat down and watched every single Barbie movie, from Barbie in the Nutcracker to 2023’sBarbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure, and ranked every single one of them.
Quick note: I made the executive choice not to include Gerwig’s movie in the ranking. It was made with a different audience in mind than any of the films below, and more importantly, it had a much bigger budget. It just doesn’t seem fair to compare a bunch of direct-to-VHS kids’ movies to a big four-quadrant blockbuster. I also eliminated Barbie: Epic Road Trip, a Netflix interactive, since it’s more of a game than a movie. (It’s really good, though. You should play it.)
[Ed. note: This article contains minor spoilers for every one of the 41 Barbie movies.]
This Barbie is the sole survivor of a shipwreck who grows up alone on an island surrounded by animals!
The only thing you really need to know about this one is that apparently, the animators have never, ever seen an elephant. Uncanny animals aside, this movie’s entire premise is based on the romantic connection between two characters who barely interact! Also, that elephant…
Barbie as the Island Princess is available for digital rental or purchase on Prime Video and Vudu .
This Barbie is a movie star taking a break from the spotlight and helping save her aunt’s fashion house from ruin!
After a bunch of fairy-tale retellings, Mattel Entertainment apparently decided Barbie