Greta Gerwig’s directorial venture, “Barbie,” has stormed its way into the prestigious $1 billion global ticket sales club, shattering the previous records for female directors held by Patty Jenkins for “Wonder Woman.” In just three weeks since its release, the film has surpassed all expectations, solidifying its place as a groundbreaking success.
“Barbie,” directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig and led by the talented Margot Robbie. It raked in an impressive $53 million from 4,178 North American locations over the weekend, in addition to a staggering $74 million internationally. As a result, the film’s total global box office earnings stand at a jaw-dropping $1.03 billion, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.
The movie has secured the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weeks, with no signs of slowing down. Barbie achieved the $400 million domestic milestone records and crossed the $500 million mark internationally faster than any other film under the studio’s banner. Even surpassing the beloved “Harry Potter” franchise.
Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps, overseeing domestic and international distribution for the studio. Expressed their astonishment at the film’s extraordinary performance. They noted that “Barbie” has exceeded their most optimistic projections. Leaving them almost speechless in response to its phenomenal success.
With this milestone, “Barbie” now joins the exclusive club of just 53 movies in modern box office history that have crossed the $1 billion threshold (without accounting for inflation). What’s even more remarkable is that “Barbie” has become the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman. Surpassing the previous record held by “Wonder Woman,” which had amassed $821.8 million globally.
Record-Breaking Success for Female Directors
While “Barbie” now claims the title of the biggest film directed by one woman, three other movies co-directed by women remain ahead in terms of total earnings. These include the immensely popular “Frozen” ($1.3 billion) and its sequel “Frozen 2” ($1.45 billion), both co-directed by Jennifer Lee, as well as “Captain Marvel” ($1.1 billion), co-directed by Anna Boden.
However, it’s worth noting that “Barbie” has overtaken “Captain Marvel” domestically, accumulating $459.4 million compared to the latter’s $426.8 million, setting a new North American record for live-action movies directed by women.
The success of “Barbie” sends a powerful message to the film industry, highlighting the tremendous talent and potential of female directors. It serves as a milestone in breaking barriers and paving the way for more diverse voices and visions to be heard and celebrated on the big screen. As audiences continue to flock to theatres to experience “Barbie’s” captivating story, it cements its place as a trailblazing film in cinema history.