“Barbie” Poised to Enter the Billion-Dollar Club on Sunday: Warner Bros. Discovery and Mattel’s Bubblegum Pink Flick Nears $1 Billion Global Box Office Milestone. Studio Estimates Anticipate the Achievement before the Weekend’s End, with Final Figures to be Revealed on Monday. Joining an Elite Group of Approximately 50 Films to Reach This Coveted Benchmark.
“In crossing the billion-dollar threshold, ‘Barbie’ gains entry into an ever more exclusive club, a trend that has been growing over the past few years,” stated Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. “Notably, this achievement is particularly significant for auteur filmmaker Greta Gerwig, as she becomes the first solo female director to helm a billion-dollar blockbuster.”
Gerwig now stands alongside Anna Boden, co-director of Disney’s “Captain Marvel,” as one of the only two women to lead a billion-dollar film. Comscore data shows that “Captain Marvel” achieved a remarkable theatrical run in 2019, coming close to $1.13 billion in global box office earnings.
Additionally, this milestone serves as Warner Bros. Discovery’s inaugural billion-dollar film after its merger in 2022. Moreover, it becomes the second movie of 2023 to achieve this remarkable feat. Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” also joins the elite club, surpassing $1.3 billion in global box office earnings since its release in April.
“This extraordinary box office triumph of ‘Barbie’ exemplifies what can be accomplished when all facets of filmmaking, marketing, distribution, fan engagement, and theater presentation come together seamlessly,” stated Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “And, of course, a touch of ‘Barbenheimer’ magic undoubtedly played its part in making this achievement possible.”
“Amidst a period where big-budget blockbusters have faced challenges in resonating with moviegoing audiences, ‘Barbie’s’ triumph stands out. While nostalgia-driven films like Disney’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ along with sequels from Paramount’s ‘Mission Impossible’ series and Universal’s ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise struggled to attract audiences, each movie garnered less than $200 million in domestic box office receipts.”
“Barbie” proves that movie enthusiasts are still eager to step out of their comfort zones for exceptional films and unforgettable communal experiences. Throughout July, both large and small movie theaters reported unprecedented ticket sales as audiences, adorned in pink, flocked to the theaters in high numbers.
According to Robbins, the box office juggernaut that is “Barbie” shows no signs of slowing down, especially with the upcoming weeks offering minimal direct competition. This favorable scenario gives “Barbie” ample opportunity to extend and build upon its current success.