Barbie Breaks the Box Office with $22.3M in Thursday Previews
Barbie, the live-action fantasy comedy film based on the popular Mattel fashion dolls, has smashed the box office records with a whopping $22.3 million in Thursday night previews, according to Variety. The film, which stars Margot Robbie as the titular character, is projected to earn over $70 million in its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing film of the summer.
The film, which was directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written by her and Noah Baumbach, has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its witty and whimsical take on the iconic toy franchise, as well as its colorful visuals, catchy songs, and stellar cast performances. The film currently holds an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 146 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Barbie is a delightful and dazzling celebration of girl power, self-discovery, and friendship, with Margot Robbie shining as the plastic fantastic heroine."
Barbie is also generating buzz for its diverse and inclusive representation of different types of dolls and characters, as well as its clever references and homages to various pop culture phenomena. The film features a large ensemble cast that includes Ryan Gosling as Ken, Barbie's loyal but clueless boyfriend; Issa Rae as Barbie Rae, Barbie's sassy and savvy best friend; Kate McKinnon as Barbie Ken, a gender-bending version of Ken; Alexandra Shipp as Barbie Ship, a hip and adventurous doll; Emma Mackey as Barbie Mackey, a rebellious and edgy doll; Hari Nef as Barbie Nef, a glamorous and fabulous doll; Sharon Rooney as Barbie Rooney, a sweet and shy doll; Ana Cruz Kayne as Barbie Kayne, a smart and nerdy doll; Ritu Arya as Barbie Arya, a fierce and fearless doll; Dua Lipa as Barbie Lipa, a pop star doll; Nicola Coughlan as Barbie Coughlan, a bubbly and cheerful doll; Emerald Fennell as Midge, Barbie's pregnant friend; Simu Liu as Ken Liu, an alternate version of Ken; Kingsley Ben-Adir as Ken Ben-Adir, another alternate version of Ken; Ncuti Gatwa as Ken Gatwa, yet another alternate version of Ken; Scott Evans as Ken Evans, one more alternate version of Ken; John Cena as Ken Cena, a muscular and macho version of Ken; and Will Ferrell as Skipper Roberts , Barbie's older brother.
Barbie tells the story of Barbie Roberts , a doll who lives in Barbieland , a perfect and plastic world where everyone is happy and beautiful. However, she suffers from an existential crisis that leads her to question her purpose and identity. She is expelled from Barbieland for not fitting in with the other dolls' expectations and standards. She then embarks on an epic adventure in the real world , where she meets new friends , faces new challenges , discovers new talents , and learns to embrace her true self .
Barbie is rated PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language. It has a running time of 114 minutes. It is now playing in theaters across North America.