In a groundbreaking triumph for female-driven filmmaking, Greta Gerwig’s highly-anticipated Barbie movie has taken the box office by storm, setting the stage for a historic opening weekend. The live-action adaptation of Mattel’s iconic fashion doll has already amassed an astonishing $70.5 million on Friday, including a remarkable $22.3 million from previews.
Early projections are painting a rosy picture for Barbie, suggesting it is on track to achieve a monumental domestic opening of over $155 million. Such feats have traditionally been reserved for male-driven superhero films or blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter. There are even optimistic forecasts speculating that the movie might soar past $160 million. Nonetheless, Warner Bros. is maintaining cautious optimism, conservatively estimating a $150 million-plus opening, pending any changes in Saturday traffic.
The international reception for Barbie has been equally dazzling, with overseas markets anticipating a remarkable debut of up to $120 million.
Beyond its box office success, Barbie is positioning itself to claim yet another remarkable milestone. The film is poised to secure the title of the biggest domestic opening ever for a solo female-directed movie, outshining Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, which previously held the record with a $103.3 million opening in 2017.
In addition to rewriting the record books for female-directed films, Barbie is on track to become the highest-grossing film of 2023 thus far, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s impressive $146.3 million debut. Notably, other highly anticipated 2023 releases, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, have yet to breach the $100 million mark at the box office.
The success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie is seen as a significant stride forward for gender representation and diversity in the film industry. It is a testament to the power of female storytelling and the growing demand for more inclusive narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Barbie as it continues to break barriers, smash records, and inspire a new era of cinematic achievement.
