In a remarkable feat, Greta Gerwig’s directorial venture, “Barbie,” has swiftly ascended to the $1 billion milestone at the global box office within just three weeks of its theatrical release. This achievement not only places “Barbie” among the elite 53 movies that have crossed the billion-dollar mark but also shatters the previous record held by Patty Jenkins for the highest-grossing film directed by a woman.
Over the weekend, “Barbie” continued its triumphant run, adding another $53 million from 4,178 North American locations, according to studio estimates. The Margot Robbie-led and produced film has maintained its dominance, securing the top spot for three consecutive weeks, and Warner Bros. predicts it will surpass $1 billion by the end of the day.
Notably, only 53 movies in modern box office history have achieved the billion-dollar milestone, excluding inflation adjustments, making “Barbie” a significant addition to this exclusive club. Surpassing the previous record held by “Wonder Woman” directed by Patty Jenkins, which grossed $821.8 million globally, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” becomes the highest-grossing film directed by a woman.
While three movies co-directed by women still surpass “Barbie” in terms of global box office earnings, including “Frozen” ($1.3 billion) and “Frozen 2” ($1.45 billion), both co-directed by Jennifer Lee, and “Captain Marvel” ($1.1 billion), co-directed by Anna Boden, “Barbie” claims the North American record for live-action movies directed by women by surpassing “Captain Marvel’s” domestic earnings ($459.4 million versus $426.8 million).
Despite facing new competition over the weekend from animated releases like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” and the sequel “Meg 2: The Trench,” along with Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” now in its third weekend, “Barbie” maintained its stronghold on the box office.
The success of “Barbie” not only underscores Greta Gerwig’s prowess as a director but also signals a positive shift in the industry, breaking barriers for female directors and setting a new standard for box office achievements. As the film continues its impressive run, it adds a new chapter to the history of cinema, showcasing the commercial viability of films with women at the helm.
