Mattel, Illumination Reported to Produce First Animated Barbie Theatrical Film

Following the massive success of Greta Gerwig's 2023 live-action Barbie movie, which grossed over $1.3 billion globally and became the highest-grossing film directed by a woman, Mattel is collaborating with Illumination to produce the first-ever Barbie animated movie for theatrical release. This new animated feature will be distributed by Universal Pictures, Illumination's exclusive partner, but plot details and creative teams have yet to be announced. The 2023 Barbie film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling notably sparked widespread cultural conversations and critical acclaim, earning eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Mattel Studios, which recently merged its film and television divisions, is expanding its portfolio with several upcoming live-action and animated projects based on its toy brands. The upcoming Barbie animated movie marks a significant milestone as Barbie has previously only appeared in direct-to-video and streaming animated films since 2001. This move underscores Mattel's growing commitment to leveraging its iconic IP in the film industry following Barbie's 2023 cinematic triumph.