August 2023
The adventure comedy grossed $1.342 billion worldwide, according to The Hollywood Reporter, making it Warner Bros.'s highest-earning theatrical release of all time, not adjusted for inflation.
This new achievement means Barbie has overtaken Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, which previously held the title of the studio's biggest release after premiering in 2011, totaling $1.341 billion in theaters worldwide.
Barbie's latest financial achievement also comes just days after it passed The Super Mario Bros. Movie as the best-earning film of 2023 so far at the domestic box office, multiple outlets reported.
Starring Margot Robbie in the title role, Barbie led the domestic box office in each of its first four weekends in theaters following its release on July 21 to Blue Beetle, which hit theaters Aug. 18. The film's reach also extended beyond theaters: Ryan Gosling's song "I'm Just Ken" entered the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this month at No. 87.
Robbie - who produced Barbie with her company LuckyChap Entertainment - previously told Collider in an interview before the actors' strike that she claimed her film would gross $1 billion when she introduced Barbie to the studio.
"I think my pitch at the green-light meeting was that studios have had so much success if they were brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director," the actress, 33, said at the time.
As the fantasy comedy film based on the Mattel doll - which follows Barbie (Robbie) and Ken (Gosling, 42) as they travel to the real world - continues to catch on in cinemas, Warner Bros. announced Wednesday that it will release Barbie in IMAX theaters on Sept. 22 for a limited one-week run.
This version of the film features new footage chosen by director Gerwig (40).
"So many Barbie fans have joined us on this journey and we cannot thank them enough for supporting the film and sharing their Barbie experience in theaters, on social media and around the world," Gerwig said in a statement.
"We made Barbie for the big screen, so it's even more exciting to bring the film to IMAX, the very biggest screen," Gerwig added. "And as a special thanks to Barbie fans, we are excited to share a little more of the incredible work of our cast and crew by adding special new footage that we hope audiences will enjoy."