In a delightful turn of events, the fantastical world of “Barbie” has taken the crown as the reigning queen of the cinematic realm in 2023. Greta Gerwig‘s whimsical fantasy-comedy, featuring the dynamic duo of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has gracefully danced its way to the top, amassing a staggering $575.4 million at the North American box office. With this achievement, it triumphantly overtakes the previous champion, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which has secured $574 million domestically.
But the triumph doesn’t stop there. “Barbie” has waved its magic wand on a global scale, accumulating a colossal $1.3 billion worldwide. With its sights set even higher, the film is poised to dethrone “Mario” (with $1.35 billion globally) as the grandest global release of 2023. What’s truly remarkable is that among the megahits of this year, it’s the non-superhero, non-sequel charm of “Barbie” that has captured hearts and wallets alike.
The journey of “Barbie” began in July with a meteoric debut, raking in a jaw-dropping $162 million, making it the year’s best opening weekend. A streak of four consecutive weekends at the No. 1 spot followed suit, cementing its status as a cinematic force to be reckoned with. The film accomplished yet another milestone by securing the title of the biggest opening weekend for a movie directed by a woman, and subsequently becoming the highest-grossing film directed solely by a woman. As it stands, “Barbie” is perched at the 14th position on the list of all-time domestic releases and 20th globally.
Furthermore, the candy-colored sensation has now also outshone Christopher Nolan‘s superhero epic “The Dark Knight” ($536 million) as the highest-grossing domestic release in the extensive history of Warner Bros. The trajectory seems unstoppable as “Barbie” inches closer to potentially surpassing the studio’s highest-grossing worldwide release in a century, which is currently held by 2011’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” ($1.34 billion).
Helmed by the brilliant Greta Gerwig, known for her acclaimed works such as “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” the film boasts a screenplay co-written with her partner Noah Baumbach. Set against a backdrop of cotton candy hues, the blockbuster takes audiences on a whimsical journey as Barbie leaves her idyllic Barbie Land to embrace the complexities of the real world. The ensemble cast adds to the magic, featuring talents like America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, and Michael Cera.
As “Barbie” continues to capture hearts, imaginations, and box office records, it’s clear that its enchanting spell extends far beyond the silver screen. With its unbridled success, this cinematic gem is carving its name into history and leaving a trail of stardust that will be remembered for generations to come.
