7th August, 2023
The Hollywood blockbuster film Barbie has hit the billion-dollar mark just 17 days after its release.
Warner Bros. confirmed in a statement released on Sunday that the film will close the weekend with $1.03 billion (£808 million) in global ticket sales.
This is also a record-breaking moment for Greta Gerwig, who is the first woman to achieve the feat as a single filmmaker.
It was referred to as a “watershed moment” by Warner Bros.
“Barbie” not only became the first film solely directed by a woman to gross $1 billion, but it did so faster than any film—including those directed by males—in Warner Bros.’ 100-year history, executives claimed.
Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution in the US, said: “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… literally turning the entire world pink.”
He claimed that long lineups in theatres and repeat viewings “prove that movies are back” after the cinema sector struggled as a result of pandemic lockdowns and competition from streaming services.
The pink-hued picture has gained critical acclaim and sparked a slew of selfies at doll boxes displayed in cinemas throughout the UK.
It has grossed $459 million in the United States and $572 million overseas, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken.