There was no doubt about Barbie being a mega-hit once it hit the theatres, but its opening weekend shattered everyone’s expectations. The story of Mattel’s iconic doll blew us away with its amazing $337 million opening and set serval major records along the way.
Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig, Barbie took its titular heroine on a path of self-discovery that forced her to change her outlook on what it means to be a woman in the real world. Her visionary take on Barbie’s journey was met with critical acclaim and amazing box office numbers following the film’s premiere on July 21.
Barbie knocked it out of the park with a $337 million global opening, racking in $155 million in North America and an additional $182 million in other territories. This marks the biggest opening of the year so far and the highest-grossing weekend for a film directed by a woman.
These numbers are even more impressive when you remember that Warner Bros. predicted a $75 million domestic debut, and the company’s president of international theatrical distribution, Andrew Cripps, was blown away after seeing them.
“The incredible worldwide results we’ve seen are a testament to the filmmakers’ singular vision to provide a fun and engaging experience that audiences of all ages are responding to in a fun and powerful way,” said Cripps in a statement.
