Historic Success of “Barbie” has Made Greta Gerwig Highest-Grossing Female Director Ever Domestically
The Barbie phenomenon has proven to be the summer’s biggest storyline. Co-writer/director Greta Gerwig’s critically acclaimed imagining of the life and world of Mattel’s iconic doll has broken box office records and made history repeatedly since its July 21 premiere. Let’s break down the numbers.
Gerwig is now the highest-grossing female director domestically, with Barbie now surpassing Frozen II, which Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck directed. Barbie has made Gerwig the highest-grossing female director of a live-action movie, now that Barbie surpassed Captain Marvel, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, with a global total of $1.184 billion thus far.
Barbie has also entered the Warner Bros. pantheon, surpassing The Dark Knight Rises and three Harry Potter films in their top ten highest-grossing films of all time. Barbie‘s stunning opening weekend was the biggest domestic opener ever for a female director, solo or otherwise, and after a scant 17 days after its release, became the first live-action film in movie history directed by a woman to join the coveted billion-dollar club.
If Barbie can pass $1.43 billion, it will pass Frozen II and become the top-grossing movie of all time, whether live-action or animated, to be helmed by a female director. At the rate Barbie‘s breaking records, there are few people who would bet against this juggernaut.
For more on Barbie, check out these stories:
“Barbie” and Greta Gerwig Make History Again
“Barbie” Hair & Makeup Artist Ivana Primorac Conjures Personality From Plastic
Pretty in Pink With “Barbie” Production Designer Sarah Greenwood & Set Decorator Katie Spencer
The Barbenheimer Phenomenon Was Real, and Historic
Greta Gerwig Makes History as “Barbie” Becomes Biggest Opening Weekend Ever For Female Director
Featured image: Caption: (L-r) MARGOT ROBBIE, ANA CRUZ KAYNE, Director/Writer GRETA GERWIG and HARI NEF on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “BARBIE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk
