In a cinematic showdown that has left audiences both amazed and exhilarated, Greta Gerwig‘s whimsical comedy “Barbie” has taken the box office by storm, propelling itself to new heights and breaking records along the way. With a staggering $537.5 million in domestic box office earnings, “Barbie” has officially dethroned Christopher Nolan‘s 2008 superhero spectacle “The Dark Knight” ($536 million) as the highest-grossing domestic release in Warner Bros.‘ storied history.
And the victory lap is far from over. In the days to come, the irrepressible “Barbie” is set to surpass the animated juggernaut “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” from Universal ($574 million) as the reigning domestic box office champion of 2023. With its current trajectory, “Barbie” – having already reached a staggering $1.2 billion globally – is on a trajectory to potentially eclipse even “Mario” ($1.35 billion) to claim the crown of the year’s highest-grossing worldwide release.
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The journey of “Barbie” has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, capturing the hearts and wallets of moviegoers for an impressive four consecutive weekends as the reigning No. 1 movie. A mere 17 days into its theatrical run, it secured its membership in the elite $1 billion club, not only marking it as the fastest Warner Bros. film to achieve this milestone but also solidifying its place as the eighth-fastest in the studio’s century-long history. The accolades don’t stop there; the film is also gearing up to potentially surpass the massive success of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” ($1.34 billion), holding the title of Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing global release ever.
“Barbie” kicked off its cinematic adventure with a bang, boasting a colossal $162 million opening – a feat that overshadowed even the mighty “Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($146 million). Notably, it also claimed the throne for the biggest opening ever for a film directed by a woman, toppling the previous record held by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s 2019 blockbuster “Captain Marvel” ($153 million).
Margot Robbie, who masterfully embodies the titular Barbie character with her own unique flair, is reaping the rewards of her instrumental contribution to the film’s success. As the film’s leading star and producer, she is poised to rake in a jaw-dropping $50 million, encompassing both her salary and bonuses tied to the box office triumph. Meanwhile, Greta Gerwig, the visionary force behind the film’s creative brilliance, is also poised to receive a generous share of the spoils due to the runaway success of her directorial venture.
As “Barbie” continues to enchant audiences and shatter records, it has undoubtedly carved out a place in cinematic history as a phenomenon that not only defied expectations but rewrote the rulebook for success. With the echoes of applause and laughter resonating in theaters worldwide, the legacy of “Barbie” is poised to shine brightly in the annals of blockbuster triumphs.
