List of Barbie films
, a fashion doll manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel, has starred or featured in 44 CGI-animated feature films and streaming television films since 2001, which has become a core component of an eponymous media franchise.
In response to a growing rise of digital and interactive media as well as the gradual decline of the sales in Barbie dolls, toys and accessories in the 1980s, Mattel collaborated with animation studios to produce films which were broadcast on Nickelodeon in the United States from 2002 to 2017 and released on home video formats, originally by Artisan Entertainment's home video division and Family Home Entertainment and their successor Lionsgate until 2006 and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment thereafter until 2017. Since 2012, Mattel expanded the franchise beyond just the films to other audiovisual media such as web series, television shows and streaming television content, with the latter following the growing trend of streaming services and online platforms. In 2020, Mattel revamped the films into streaming television films, branding them as animated "specials" and integrating them into the canon of the inaugural television show in the "Barbie" media franchise, Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures.
A 2023 live-action film featuring the character and toyline was theatrically released by Warner Bros. and Mattel Films, alongside LuckyChap Entertainment and Heyday Films. It released alongside Oppenheimer from Universal Pictures as one half of a suggested double-feature phenomenon named Barbenheimer and broke numerous box-office records that year with a global gross of $ 1.44 billion, including the highest-grossing Warner Bros.-released film.
Adaptations and original plots (2001–2009)
Mattel launched its eponymous in-house entertainment division in 2001 and began the Barbie film series by adapting pre-existing stories/tales, with CGI animation provided by Canadian studio Mainframe Entertainment. Elise Allen introduced original storylines to the series through screenwriting the entries of the Barbie: Fairytopia franchise. In between their co-productions, American studio Curious Pictures pitched in by animating The Barbie Diaries.In 2007, Mainframe was acquired by local post-production company, Rainmaker Animation and Visual Effects, rebranding it as Rainmaker Animation initially and then Rainmaker Entertainment the following year. The films during this period were originally distributed on VHS and DVD by Artisan Entertainment and Family Home Entertainment from 2001 until 2004, when both were acquired by and folded into Lionsgate. In 2006, Mattel ceased distribution of the films on VHS and focused solely on DVD; at the same time, Universal took over the domestic distribution rights, after negotiations with Lionsgate broke down over the low amount offered by Mattel to continue distributing future Barbie films. Lionsgate was permitted to continue distribution of the titles released by them up to The Barbie Diaries for several years after; these rights eventually reverted to Mattel, who then authorized Universal to begin reissuing these titles.
''Barbie in the Nutcracker'' (2001)
Based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann and The Nutcracker ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, this inaugural film in the series stars Barbie narrating to her younger sister, Kelly, a story about a young girl named Clara who gets a beautiful wooden nutcracker from her aunt Elizabeth as a Christmas gift. Later that night, the toy comes alive to protect Clara from the evil Mouse King's soldiers. Clara gets shrunk to toy size, and, along with her brave Nutcracker, she searches for a magical Sugarplum Princess to reverse a spell.''Barbie as Rapunzel'' (2002)
This 2nd entry based on the classic tale by the Brothers Grimm stars Barbie as Princess Rapunzel, who is trapped in a tall tower by an evil witch named Gothel. Hidden from the outside world, Rapunzel spends much of her day painting and dreaming of a happier life. After many years alone, Rapunzel goes on a journey with her friends Penelope and Hobie to look for her happily ever after life with Prince Stefan.''Barbie of Swan Lake'' (2003)
Based on the Swan Lake ballet music by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky, this 3rd film revolves around Barbie playing Odette, a young daughter of a baker, who one day follows a unicorn named Lila into an enchanted forest. After being transformed into a swan by a sorcerer named Rothbart, she decides to uncover how to break the spell upon herself and free the forest from Rothbart's evil clutches.''Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper'' (2004)
Based on the classic novel by Mark Twain and the first musical film in the series, this 4th film stars Barbie as the dual role of blonde Princess Anneliese and brunette commoner Erika, who go on a trip toward a lifelong friendship. The two soon discover the Queen's advisor, Preminger, has evil plans to take endless power for himself. Only Erika knows how to help Anneliese save the kingdom.Following the original release of this film, Lionsgate would acquire Artisan Entertainment and Family Home Entertainment and thus in the process take over the original distribution rights of the films.
''Barbie: Fairytopia'' (2005)
This is the 5th entry and the first-ever original Barbie film, though based on the Fairytopia toy line, starring Barbie as a wingless fairy named Elina who lives in a magical meadow with her puffball best friend, Bibble. Many of Elina's winged friends lose their flying abilities and become weak due to a green-colored potion spread throughout the meadow by firebirds sent by an evil fairy named Laverna. Elina sets off to save her meadow and her friends by tracking down Azura, one of the 7 Guardian Fairies.This film was released in the spring, breaking the one-film-per-year fall release cycle of the previous films.
''Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus'' (2005)
This is the 6th film entry, the 2nd original film in the series and the first not based on previous material, starring Barbie as a talented ice skater named Princess Annika. When her family and village are attacked by the evil wizard Wenlock, she embarks on a journey to save them. Accompanied by a hunter named Aidan, her cursed older sister, Brietta, and a polar bear named Shiver, the group uncover family secrets and make a plan to defeat Wenlock to save their people.''Barbie: Mermaidia'' (2006)
Also known as Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia, this is the 7th entry and the final Barbie film to be originally released on VHS. It is a sequel to Barbie: Fairytopia, as well as the first sequel to a previous story of the Barbie films. This time, the fairy Elina must rescue the mer-prince Nalu from Laverna's fungal minions. Elina and Bibble team up with a mermaid named Nori to locate the prince and save Mermadia.Following the original release of this film, Mattel ceased future Barbie film releases on VHS, as the format was gradually deprecating in market share and worldwide popularity at the time.
''The Barbie Diaries'' (2006)
This is the 8th entry and is the first to solely be originally released on DVD, and the only Barbie film produced by Curious Pictures. This film stars Barbie in her inaugural standalone character and her best friends Tia, Courtney and Kevin as sophomores in high school. The four stick together as they face high school challenges whiles making music under their band name "Charmz". Barbie strives to land her dream job at the school's TV station but has to battle the school's most popular girl, Raquelle. Barbie must also juggle her boy crush feelings, both with the school's top jock, Todd, and her male best friend, Kevin, with Raquelle advancing on Todd. One day, Barbie opens her locker with her friends by her side and a letter slips to the floor. When she reads it out loud, her friends recognize that Barbie has a secret admirer, but Barbie does not admit it. Barbie begins to lean on a magic diary given to her by a kind and fun-to-be-with salesgirl named Stephanie to help strengthen her confidence and go for her dreams. Barbie would later "rock the house" with Charmz in place of her reporter dream. Kevin would eventually have hold of Raquelle's necklace which she inexplicably let slip from her hands and hand it to Barbie, who was dazzled at its beauty. While he was explaining his "secret admirer" status, Barbie chose to interrupt him in favor of dancing with her.''Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses'' (2006)
Based on the eponymous tale by the Brothers Grimm, it's the 9th entry and the 3rd ballet film. It tells the story of a widowed King Randolph and his 12 daughters, including the most outgoing of them all, Princess Genevieve, played by Barbie. To ensure his daughters grow up to learn to behave like proper ladies, the King enlists his less fortunate cousin, Duchess Rowena, to teach the girls about royal etiquette. Little does he know that the Duchess wants to end his life and take over the kingdom for herself.''Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow'' (2007)
Alternatively named Barbie: Magic of the Rainbow, this is the 10th entry and the final part of the Barbie: Fairytopia trilogy. It follows Elina, who goes to fairy school where she learns magic and dancing. Once again, Laverna comes up with an evil plan to stop the fairies from performing their annual rainbow dance, destroy a tulip called the "first blush of spring," and plunge all of Fairytopia into darkness and winter. Elina and her classmates must learn to set their differences aside and unite to stop Laverna once and for all.This film is the last to be produced by Mainframe under the Mainframe Entertainment name.