In the realm of cinematic achievements, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” has etched its name in history, a modern-day confession of box office triumph. Surpassing the colossal 2012 Marvel hit “The Avengers” by a hair’s breadth, “Barbie” now stands as the 11th highest-grossing release in the annals of cinema, boasting a staggering $626 million at the domestic box office.
Yet, the path to cinematic immortality beckons as it eyes the coveted top 10. To ascend to these hallowed ranks, “Barbie” must outpace the likes of “Jurassic World” from 2015, holding the 10th spot with $653 million, and then set its sights on the iconic “Titanic” at No. 9 with $674 million. Further up the ladder, it must challenge the supremacy of “Avengers: Infinity War” at No. 8 with $678 million and the enigmatic “Avatar: The Way of Water” perched at No. 7 with $684 million. Notably, none of these ticket sales account for the nuances of inflation.
“Barbie” has already seized the throne as the highest-grossing domestic release of this year. This cotton candy-colored spectacle has amassed a jaw-dropping $1.4 billion worldwide, surpassing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($1.35 billion) to claim the title of the most significant global release of 2023. It currently sits as the 14th highest-grossing global release of all time, trailing just behind “Frozen II” ($1.453 billion) and “Top Gun: Maverick” ($1.495 billion). This plastic and fantastic tale embarked on its record-breaking journey through theaters in July, marking its debut with an astounding $162 million, the biggest opening of the year. Its reign at the top persisted for four consecutive weekends and held a spot in the top five for over two months. Notably, “Barbie” also clinched the distinction of having the most substantial opening weekend for a film directed by a woman and achieved the status of the highest-grossing movie helmed solely by a woman. A remarkable feat, given that Gerwig co-wrote the screenplay alongside Noah Baumbach.
In this captivating celluloid narrative, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling portray the archetypal embodiments of Barbie and Ken. They embark on a journey, leaving behind the veneer of a seemingly perfect existence to confront the complexities and nuances of life in the tangible world. With a stellar supporting cast that includes the likes of America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, and Michael Cera, “Barbie” has proven to be an indomitable force, captivating audiences and shattering records on its way to cinematic glory.
