“Barbie” and Greta Gerwig Make History Again
It’s a Barbie world—it’s also Greta Gerwig’s world—and we’re happy to be living in it.
Gerwig is now the first-ever solo female director to helm a billion-dollar movie, as Barbie surpassed that major milestone this past weekend. Gerwig’s gangbusters take on Mattel’s iconic doll has nabbed $459 million in North America and $572 million internationally, putting Gerwig in the exclusive billion-dollar club and making her the only solo female director in it. Frozen and Frozen 2‘s Jennifer Lee co-directed with Chris Buck, and Captain Marvel‘s Anna Boden co-directed with Ryan Fleck.
Barbie‘s unbelievable success was also achieved at warp speed—Gerwig’s film hit the milestone a mere 17 days after its premiere, making it the fastest film in Warner Bros.’s 100-year history to do so, vanquishing Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which had the previous record of 19 days.
The reasons for Barbie‘s success begin with Gerwig—or, to be as factual as possible, they begin with star and producer Margot Robbie, who recruited Gerwig to write and direct. Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach co-wrote the script, and then Gerwig directed what has become a true cinematic phenomenon. The phenomenon has been aided by Gerwig and her starry cast, a best-in-class marketing campaign, incredible word of mouth, rave reviews from critics, and, of course, the spectacle of Barbenheimer, the rabid film fans who were clamoring for the release of both Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in the same weekend.
Barbie now joins Spider-Man: No Way Home, Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World: Dominion, and Avatar: The Way of Water as films that crossed the billion-dollar threshold during the pandemic era.
“This is a watershed moment for Barbie, and no one but Greta Gerwig could have brought this cross-generational icon and her world to life in such a funny, emotional, and entertaining story, one that is resonating with all four quadrants of moviegoers and literally turning the entire world pink,” said Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps, Warner Bros. presidents of domestic and international distribution, respectively, in a joint press statement. “Long lines and repeat viewings prove that movies are back in a big, big way, and we look forward to seeing just how far ‘Barbie’ can go in the real world.”
Barbie remained number one at the box office this past weekend—it’s third in a row—even with competition from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Meg 2: The Trench, and Oppenheimer.
For more on Barbie, check out these stories:
“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) RYAN GOSLING, MARGOT ROBBIE and Director/Writer GRETA GERWIG on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “BARBIE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk
