Overview
A whimsical journey of self-discovery and empowerment awaits in a vibrant world where dreams come true.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- irreverent
- joyful
- group movie night
- family movie night with older children
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's inventive production design, comic performances, musical sequences, and ambitious feminist social commentary, while noting some tonal unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story directly turns Barbie's manufactured image and cultural legacy into material for satire and self-questioning.
Barbie Land is presented through vivid pink production design and artificial doll-like spaces that contrast with the outside world.
The film makes gender hierarchy visible through Barbie Land, the Kens' social ambitions, and the characters' encounters with human society.
Barbie and Ken leave Barbie Land for the human world, where their assumptions and identities are challenged.
Films like Barbie, and why
The Lego Movie
shares brightly stylized fantasy comedy, female-centered self-discovery, and satirical engagement with gender roles
The Truman Show
shares surreal toy-based worldbuilding, meta humor, musical spectacle, and an existential identity journey
Booksmart
shares feminist themes, witty ensemble comedy, female friendship, and heightened visual design
Pleasantville
shares playful fantasy, gender-role satire, and a fish-out-of-water journey between constructed and ordinary worlds
Movie Details
- Director
- Greta Gerwig
- Release Date
- 2023-07-19
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (11626)
Cast
- Margot Robbie
- Ryan Gosling
- America Ferrera
- Ariana Greenblatt
- Issa Rae
- Kate McKinnon
- Alexandra Shipp
- Emma Mackey
- Hari Nef
- Sharon Rooney
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, TNT, TBS, tru TV, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Barbie about?
- A dazzlingly pink fantasy comedy sends Barbie and Ken beyond their perfect toy world into a funny, musical reckoning with gender, identity, and real life.
- What is Barbie like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Barbie as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Barbie violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Barbie as mild.
- What did critics think of Barbie?
- Critics broadly praised the film's inventive production design, comic performances, musical sequences, and ambitious feminist social commentary, while noting some tonal unevenness.
- Which films are like Barbie?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lego Movie, The Truman Show, Booksmart, and Pleasantville.
- How long is Barbie?
- Barbie runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Barbie?
- In United States, Barbie streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, TNT, TBS, tru TV, HBO Max.
