Following the record-breaking success of Barbie (2023), which grossed over $1.4 billion globally and became the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman, Barbie is ready to return to the big screen. But this time, in animated form addapted to theaters.
Illumination, the animation powerhouse behind global hits like Minions and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is officially partnering with Mattel Studios to develop the first-ever Barbie animated feature for theaters. The announcement, confirmed last week, marks a new chapter in the doll’s cinematic evolution, just two years after Greta Gerwig’s live-action interpretation became a pop culture phenomenon.
While a release date has yet to be confirmed, sources at Deadline report that Universal Pictures, Illumination’s exclusive partner for financing and distribution, will handle the theatrical rollout.
Plot details remain under wraps, but expectations are high. The film aims to expand Barbie’s legacy into a new creative space, blending Illumination’s family-friendly animation style with the timeless appeal of Mattel’s iconic brand.
