There are more than 40 Barbie movies, and we ranked them all - Gamezon

Actual Barbie followers know that the enduring blond trend doll has had an extended cinematic profession, a long time earlier than Greta Gerwig’s satirical live-action film Barbie. Barbie’s film roots began in 2001 with the direct-to-VHS characteristic Barbie within the Nutcracker, and he or she’s since gone on to star in 41 animated films.

Individuals who grew up as Barbie followers after 2001 most likely have their Barbie film, the one they watched over and over as youngsters and have virtually memorized. However there’s extra to Film Barbie than our particular childhood favorites — her movie profession has gone via many alternative phases, from straight-up fairy-tale diversifications to laborious science fiction. And in addition fantasy films that includes mermaids. There have been a lot of Barbie mermaids. However one factor is fixed throughout all Barbie films: She’s the hero of her personal story, saving the day (and sometimes the world!) along with her finest pals, all whereas wanting tremendous cute.

So which films maintain up? Which of them actually embody the Barbie vitality that has been within the zeitgeist over the previous few months? That are worthy of testing while you exit the theater in a post-Barbie excessive?

As is my nature and my calling, I sat down and watched each single Barbie film, from Barbie within the Nutcracker to 2023’s Barbie: Skipper and the Massive Babysitting Journey, and ranked each single one among them.

Fast notice: I made the manager selection to not embrace Gerwig’s film within the rating. It was made with a distinct viewers in thoughts than any of the movies under, and extra importantly, it had a a lot larger finances. It simply doesn’t appear truthful to check a bunch of direct-to-VHS youngsters’ films to a giant four-quadrant blockbuster. I additionally eradicated Barbie: Epic Highway Journey, a Netflix interactive, because it’s extra of a recreation than a film. (It’s actually good, although. You need to play it.)

[Ed. note: This article contains minor spoilers for every one of the 41 Barbie movies.]

41. Barbie because the Island Princess (2007)

An elephant with terrifying front-facing eyes lined with mascara.

This Barbie is the only real survivor of a shipwreck who grows up alone on an island surrounded by animals!

The one factor you actually need to find out about this one is that apparently, the animators have by no means, ever seen an elephant. Uncanny animals apart, this film’s complete premise relies on the romantic connection between two characters who barely work together! Additionally, that elephant…

Barbie because the Island Princess is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

40. Barbie: A Style Fairytale (2010)

Barbie, a blonde girl in a sparkly pink dress, stands with her aunt, an older woman with grey hair in a blue dress, and Alice, a brunette with glasses in purple. Ken, a blonde man in a black suit with a pink tie, stands behind them. Barbie talks to a reporter. Behind them is a pink runway.

This Barbie is a film star taking a break from the highlight and serving to save her aunt’s trend home from destroy!

After a bunch of fairy-tale retellings, Mattel Leisure apparently determined Barbie wanted to be an everyday lady — however nonetheless with some magic. Thus started the period the place Barbie was a film star (cool!) stumbling onto magical secrets and techniques (cool!), besides not like the earlier films the place the magic assorted, the magic on this period is, like, completely about trend. (Cool?)

There’s nothing inherently improper with being fashion-forward; this is Barbie, in any case. However on this explicit film, you may actually see how the magical merchandise was particularly made with a toy in thoughts: It’s a magical closet that transforms garments by fully protecting them in glitter. The plot is contrived across the magic closet. In comparison with different Barbie films, this one feels prefer it swung and missed what folks really love in regards to the Barbie films, which is seeing the style doll in a extra story-driven context.

Barbie: A Style Fairytale is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

39. Barbie: A Fairy Secret (2011)

Babrie, a blonde young woman, wearing a magenta dress and holding her hands up in protest, her face is alarmed. She sports rainbow-colored fairy wings. Next to her is Raquelle, a dark-haired girl in a purple dress, with pink and purple wings. She looks determined.

This Barbie is a film star who will get whisked away to the fairy world after a fairy kidnaps her boyfriend!

This has the identical issues as Style Fairytale, besides that as a result of the storyline facilities round Barbie and her rival Raquelle studying to get alongside, it has some juicy homoerotic stress that provides it a leg up. Nonetheless, their rivalry may be very one-sided (Raquelle is jealous of Barbie, however Barbie is like, Uh, OK?). As soon as once more, for no matter purpose, though Barbie and Raquelle stumble onto a world filled with magical fairies, all these fairies do is make purses and sneakers.

Barbie: A Fairy Secret is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

38. Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007)

A male fairy in green dancing in the air, with a blue female fairy and a small pink female fairy behind him.

This Barbie is a fairy chosen to characterize her area in an essential ritual!

One of the best a part of the Fairytopia films is the cool world-building. To its credit score, the third film within the Fairytopia collection, Magic of the Rainbow, does develop on that world in a enjoyable means, exploring extra of the distinctive fairy sorts and their powers. Nonetheless, aside from that, it’s a bit exhausting to see the villain pull off a plan that’s much like what she does within the first two films, and for the primary character, Elina, to undergo the identical actual character journey for the third time. C’mon, lady, achieve some confidence! You’ve saved the world twice already!

Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

37. Barbie of Swan Lake (2003)

Barbie, a blonde girl, extending her arms as she gets a magical blue and pink feathered dress.

This Barbie is a soft-spoken peasant lady who will get became a swan whereas attempting to save lots of a magical forest!

I do know, I do know — Barbie followers might imagine it’s blasphemy to place this Barbie basic close to the underside of the listing. However in the event you haven’t watched this since age 7, you may neglect what number of sequences are simply characters dancing, rendered in unhealthy CG! There’s a wasted thread with the primary character’s sister, and never quite a bit occurring past the dancing. Additionally, though Kelsey Grammer voices the villain, he clearly simply phoned within the voice performing efficiency. Do higher, Frasier! We noticed you commit in Anastasia and Toy Story 2!

Barbie of Swan Lake is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

36. Barbie within the Nutcracker (2001)

Barbie in a pink ballerina outfit, dancing with a Nutcracker.

This Barbie is the Sugarplum Princess!

That is the first-ever Barbie film, and I acknowledge that it paved the way in which for sharp, girl-focused fairy-tale retellings. I additionally actually admire the way it offers The Nutcracker extra of a plot, and the ballet’s protagonist, Clara, extra company. Nonetheless, the plot of The Nutcracker continues to be actually boring, and no quantity of Tim Curry cackling because the Mouse King can change that.

Barbie within the Nutcracker is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

35. Barbie and the Secret Door (2014)

Barbie in a pink dress, holding a magic wand. Next to her is a brunette girl in yellow. They are in a Candyland-esque fantasy world.

This Barbie is a shy princess who discovers a portal to a magical world!

After the “Barbie is an everyday lady, but additionally a cool film star who stumbles upon magical trend” period of Barbie films of the early 2010s got here the “Barbie performs a princess, and likewise there’s one other plot factor occurring” period within the mid-2010s. This time, Barbie is a shy princess named Alexa who would somewhat learn than fulfill her royal obligations. She finds a door that leads her right into a fantasy realm, which she should save. This all sounds enjoyable on paper, however one way or the other, it’s a drag. The songs are forgettable, the sidekicks are a few of the most annoying in Barbie film canon, and Alexa simply doesn’t deserve the cool magical powers she will get!

Barbie and the Secret Door is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

34. Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar (2012)

A princess in a pink ballgown standing with a popstar in a short purple dress, both of them under bright pink light.

This Barbie is a spoiled princess who convinces an overworked pop star to change locations!

For no matter purpose, there have been 4 variations of Barbie as a princess buying and selling locations with somebody — and that is the weakest one, as a result of the princess character is a complete brat. Additionally, it’s the one which leans the toughest on the OG Barbie role-swap film (Princess and the Pauper, we’ll get to it), to the purpose the place it rehashes one among that film’s songs. That selection does a disservice to the unique film — this one simply isn’t pretty much as good, and the by-product qualities are only a reminder that you just that you may be watching the far superior Princess and the Pauper as an alternative.

Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar is on the market for digital buy solely on Prime Video and Vudu.

33. Barbie & Her Sisters in a Pet Chase (2016)

Barbie, her blonde hair in a ponytail, scouting out the surrounding area. Her three sisters stand behind her.

This Barbie is an older sister who majorly messes up some trip plans!

The 2010s kicked off a brand new wave of Barbie films that additionally targeted on Barbie and her little sisters. Earlier films generally had a framing gadget the place Barbie informed a narrative to Kelly, her youngest sister. However Kelly was rebranded as “Chelsea” in 2011. Additionally, Barbie has two extra sisters: athletic Stacy and tech-savvy Skipper.

The puppies the sisters have right here had been launched in 2015’s Nice Pet Journey, and they’re essentially the most annoying a part of that film, since they spend most of their display time speaking to one another and making dumb observations and jokes. The puppies have an much more distinguished position on this one, which drags all of it the way in which all the way down to this placement on the listing. So does the plot, the place the women get misplaced on an island and can’t appear to do something proper when it comes to looking for their means again to their lodge.

Barbie & Her Sisters in a Pet Chase is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

32. Barbie: A Excellent Christmas (2011)

Barbie in an awful pink candy-cane-striped dress standing with her sisters and her aunt in a snowy landscape. They are singing a Christmas carol.

This Barbie is an older sister who simply needs her youthful sisters to have the proper Christmas!

That is the primary of these “Barbie and her sisters” films — Barbie’s sisters (and their full names) had lengthy been part of the doll canon, however this one formally introduces all of the Roberts women as a part of the film universe.

At this level, although, the films are nonetheless kinda tied to the preexisting canon of Barbie as a film star. (That slowly evolves, till Barbie transforms again to an everyday lady within the latest films.) There are a couple of references to Barbie’s earlier adventures and in-universe film roles on this one, which is much less about Barbie as a glamorous fashionista and extra about her position as a giant sister.

The 4 Roberts women get stranded in a small city on the way in which to New York Metropolis for Christmas. Whereas it’s enjoyable to see their personalities conflict, there’s an excessive amount of occurring, as they every get A Massive Christmas Arc to meet. Factors additionally docked as a result of within the large finale, Barbie wears one of many ugliest attire she’s ever worn.

Barbie: A Excellent Christmas is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

31. Barbie: Fairytopia (2005)

Barbie as Elina, a fairy without wings wearing a pink dress, riding atop Hue, a giant insect-man with purple wings and blue skin.

This Barbie is a fairy with out wings, the one fairy who can save her land from falling right into a villain’s clutches!

Factors for the actually enjoyable and funky world-building, laid down by iconic youngsters’s fantasy creator Diane Duane. Factors docked for the existence of Bibble, an annoying blue puffy animal (?) sidekick that haunts my goals. Wingless fairy Elina embarks on a journey to save lots of Fairytopia, encountering some gnarly 2000s-era CG pals alongside the way in which, whereas additionally studying to be assured. I really like that for her.

Barbie: Fairytopia is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video.

30. Barbie: Mariposa (2008)

Barbie as Mariposa, a blonde fairy with big pink butterfly wings, standing next to her friend Willa, a purple-haired fairy with purple wings.

This Barbie can be a fairy who should save her land from a villain’s clutches, this time by venturing exterior the protection of her dwelling!

That is principally a greater redo of Fairytopia, to the purpose the place it even follows the identical fundamental plot construction. It’s an enchancment for a couple of core causes. One, Mariposa has extra of a persona than Elina. Two, the world-building is even cooler. Three, two imply fairies accompany Mariposa on her adventures, and so they all ultimately be taught to be pals. That’s the form of Barbie story I really like. And 4, no Bibble! (Properly, OK, technically he’s within the framing gadget, so possibly I ought to say much less Bibble.)

Barbie: Mariposa is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

29. Barbie: Video Recreation Hero (2017)

Barbie in a cubic Minecraft-style form, building something with bricks.

This Barbie is an aspiring online game developer who will get sucked into her favourite cellular recreation and should reserve it from a virus!

I really like that they alter the artwork model when Barbie jumps between online game ranges. That mentioned, this one specifically feels overly didactic in a means that veers round to being patronizing. I believe the target market for this could perceive that coding helps construct video video games, and so they don’t want it defined again and again and over!

Barbie: Video Recreation Hero is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

28. Barbie as Rapunzel (2002)

Barbie as Rapunzel, with long blonde hair, wearing a sparkly purple dress. Next to her is a purple dragon and a white rabbit.

This Barbie is a captured prisoner who longs for freedom and loves to color!

I really feel remiss in placing Barbie as Rapunzel so low on this listing, as a result of it was my Barbie film as a child — the one I watched again and again and again and again, to the purpose the place my dad nonetheless remembers the names of minor characters. However whereas your Barbie film could be on the highest of the non-public listing in your coronary heart, as knowledgeable, I must acknowledge that the marvel of Barbie as Rapunzel has diminished with maturity. The film does give the fairy story some further oomph, making Rapunzel a painter and giving her a magical paintbrush, however general, it’s clunky.

Barbie as Rapunzel is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

27. Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005)

Barbie as Anika, wearing a purple dress. Behind her is a pegasus horse and a man in dark clothes. They are in a dark, scary, magic forest.

This Barbie is a sheltered princess who should save her kingdom from being petrified by an evil wizard! Additionally, she discovers her older sister was became a horse!

Think about the plot of Frozen, besides as an alternative of getting ice powers, Elsa was became a flying horse 10 years in the past by a lustful wizard after she rejected his advances. Additionally, Kristoff is a brooding jerk who gambled away his household’s cash and desires to repent, in a scorching form of means. That’s all fairly thrilling, however the janky and annoying polar bear companion knocks some factors off. Additionally, the villain pales compared to a few of the others of this period when it comes to efficiency and memorability, although he definitely has a twisted motive.

Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

26. Barbie within the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)

Barbie as Princess Genevieve, wearing a pink dress, as Derek the shoe cobbler, a brunette young man, dances with her. Behind them is a sprinkling of golden lights.

This Barbie — and her 11 sisters — uncover a magical refuge, however should in the end depart it to save lots of their father!

I watched this one as a child, however I didn’t keep in mind what number of extended dancing scenes it has. Sadly, as with Barbie of Swan Lake, they actually drag out the film, with lengthy sequences the place nothing occurs save for some dancing. The remainder of the film is fairly enjoyable, although. Every of the sisters has her personal enjoyable pastime, and so they find yourself thwarting their nefarious aunt with these particular person abilities. It’s inventive, however there’s simply. So. A lot. Dancing.

Barbie within the 12 Dancing Princesses is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

25. Barbie: The Pearl Princess (2014)

Barbie as a mermaid with a pink tail next to a brunette mermaid with a purple tail.

This Barbie is a mermaid with pearl powers who simply needs to go to the very particular ball!

Barbie has been a film mermaid many, many instances (together with within the Greta Gerwig model), and that is essentially the most forgettable of these instances. All of the little particulars of this model of an undersea world are carried out higher in different Barbie mermaid films. However not less than the facet characters listed here are enjoyable — just like the villain’s scrawny son, who would somewhat be a botanist than a foul man, and the toxic fish who simply needs pals.

Barbie: The Pearl Princess is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

24. Barbie: Dolphin Magic (2017)

Barbie in a wet suit, swims above Isla, a purple-tailed mermaid. They look into each other’s eyes.

This Barbie is an everyday lady… who helps a mermaid save a bunch of magical dolphins!

So Barbie isn’t a mermaid on this one, however she does befriend a mermaid named Isla. Her sisters are additionally there — and so is Ken, who’s interning for an evil marine biologist. (You may discover that Ken is often an afterthought in these films, if he’s talked about in any respect.) Isla and Barbie have a really candy friendship ~~and are undoubtedly in love~~. Oh, and the puppies are again, however fortunately, this time they don’t speak.

Barbie: Dolphin Magic is on the market to stream on Netflix, and is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

23. Barbie: Skipper and the Massive Babysitting Journey (2023)

Skipper, a brunette with a purple streak in her hair, holds a bunch of snacks in a water park. Next to her is a girl with dark hair and blonde streaks.

This Barbie is definitely Barbie’s sister, who will get caught with a summer time job!

Sure, animated Barbie films are nonetheless being made! Every little thing that got here out since 2017 follows the canon of the Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures collection, that means that Barbie is an everyday lady, and her sisters get to star in their very own films. The newest Barbie film as of July 2023 follows Skipper, who takes a job at a waterpark (managed by Barbie’s rival Tammy) whereas her sisters are off doing cooler issues over the summer time. It’s a enjoyable time and extra slice-of-life than numerous the Barbie films, but it surely leans slightly an excessive amount of on over-the-top wacky hijinks for my style. The cool chibi-style animation change when Skipper tells a narrative is enjoyable, although!

Barbie: Skipper and the Massive Babysitting Journey is on the market to stream on Netflix.

22. Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia/Barbie: Mermaidia (2006)

Elina, a blonde fairy with pink wings, swims next to Nori, a blue-haired mermaid.

This Barbie is a fairy who goes on an journey with a mermaid to save lots of a merprince!

This film would’ve been far more enjoyable if mermaid Nori acquired over her jealousy of Fairytopia collection protagonist Elina (she thinks Elina and the merprince are an merchandise), and as an alternative realized Elina is the one for her. That mentioned, this fairy/mermaid fantasy crossover continues to be a enjoyable time, and it dives (ha) into the underwater world of the Fairytopia universe. Elina’s large heroic second on this film might be the best one within the collection. Actually, the Fairytopia films ought to’ve stopped right here, as an alternative of with 2007’s Magic of the Rainbow.

Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

21. Barbie Presents: Thumbelina (2009)

A young girl with brown hair and bangs looks at a tiny fairy creature in a flower.

This Barbie is a tiny fairy-like creature who should save her dwelling from grasping land builders!

This one is much less about Barbie’s character and extra in regards to the deeply lonely lady she finally ends up befriending. Makena is the spoiled daughter of two toy moguls who’re too busy to spend any time along with her. Thumbelina (the Barbie character right here) agrees to create magical plant gadgets Makena can use to win pals, in change for Makena speaking to her dad and mom and convincing them that they shouldn’t destroy the glade the place Thumbelina and her folks dwell. However Thumbelina realizes Makena is definitely actually unhappy and lonely and simply needs to attach, and Makena slowly realizes that gaining materials items to one-up her pals isn’t a method to be completely happy. It’s surprisingly touching!

Barbie Presents: Thumbelina is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

20. Barbie: Mariposa & the Fairy Princess (2013)

Mariposa, a fairy with butterfly wings, holds hands with Catania, a fairy with crystal wings. They are both blonde, though Mariposa’s hair is darker.

This Barbie was despatched to be an envoy after saving her kingdom, and thru the ability of friendship, she bridges the rift between lands!

This film would’ve been far more enjoyable if Mariposa and Catania had been in love — a typical thread in Barbie films. While you’re slightly lady enjoying with 20 Barbies and one or two Kens, queer relationships simply form of occur. And since many of those films don’t have many male characters, the wealthy relationships between the women simply invite queer interpretations! Whether or not it’s deep friendships or rivalries that flip into understanding, the Barbie films provide much more nuanced feminine relationships than many widespread films.

However anyway, this film good points an additional edge in the event you learn it as if Mariposa and Princess Catania are in love. There may be a lot great stress between the 2 completely different fairy kingdoms that the additional plot with the villain, who nobody even realizes is an issue till the third act, is simply kinda annoying. However sending shy, bookish Mariposa to be an envoy to a hostile kingdom the place she ultimately befriends the princess, and collectively, they use their friendship to beat tensions between their lands? That’s a plot worthy of one of the best childhood Barbie video games.

However better of all, there’s no Bibble on this one!! We’re free!

Barbie: Mariposa & the Fairy Princess is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

19. Barbie within the Pink Sneakers (2013)

Barbie in a pink ballet outfit holding a bouquet, standing next to her costume designer friend.

This Barbie is a ballerina who retains making up her personal steps as an alternative of following her choreography, after which will get sucked into the world of ballet!

Each concern I’ve had with the Barbie films that spent means an excessive amount of of their run instances on dancing one way or the other isn’t as grating on this one. It could be as a result of this film surprisingly highlights my absolute favourite ballet, the tragic Giselle. But in addition, Kristyn, the primary character, spends her time traversing via completely different ballet tales and attempting to “repair” their endings — similar to she tries to improvise her dance strikes as an alternative of following the choreography. What I like most about this one is that it doesn’t reward Kristyn for blatantly disregarding creative custom by giving her the primary half in her ballet faculty’s upcoming present. As an alternative, she finds a brand new path within the dance world that higher suits her revolutionary spark.

Barbie within the Pink Sneakers is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

18. Barbie in a Mermaid Story (2010)

A closeup of Merliah, her blonde hair in a ponytail, as she surfs.

This Barbie is a champion surfer who discovers she is definitely half-mermaid!

On this model of the “Barbie as mermaid” trope, professional surfer Merliah Summers learns that her mom was really a mermaid, and that she’s inherited some mermaid powers, like speaking with animals and respiration underwater. Oh, and he or she isn’t simply a mermaid: She’s a mermaid princess. Merliah should save the dominion of Oceana from her evil aunt, who has trapped Merliah’s mom and now guidelines Oceana with a merciless hand. This film is ok, however its actual worth is the way in which it richly units the stage for the sequel, which works above and past in exploring the ramifications of what occurs when a long-lost half-mermaid princess returns to the throne.

Barbie in a Mermaid Story is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

17. Barbie & Her Sisters in a Pony Story (2013)

Barbie in a pink riding jacket, nuzzling a white horse.

This Barbie is a Horse Lady who should save her aunt’s failing horse camp!

And why shouldn’t Barbie join with a uncommon breed of attractive white horses (with pink streaks of their manes) who as soon as carried princesses round? I watched this one with my Horse Lady buddy, and he or she says that for each bizarre factor this film does with equestrian sports activities, it will get a bunch of particular little issues proper, so all of it evens out. The 2 horse-trainer brothers who work at rival camps have essentially the most ridiculous pretend French accents on this planet, and it kinda guidelines.

A recurring arc within the Barbie films is that Barbie’s youthful sister Skipper often will get the one-off facet romance, if solely as a result of Barbie’s destined soulmate is Ken (who isn’t really constantly current in these films), and Skipper is the next-oldest Barbie household sister. Pony Story offers Skipper a really cute rivals-to-crushes arc with a snooty boy from the opposing driving faculty.

Barbie & Her Sisters in a Pony Story is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

16. Barbie: Princess Appeal Faculty (2011)

Barbie in a blue and pink school uniform, with two friends in matching uniforms. They are in a pink dorm room.

This Barbie is a waitress, chosen to attend faculty with royalty!

All of the enjoyable of boarding faculty mixed with the additional oomph of being a princess! Barbie’s character Blair is an everyday ol’ lady who will get chosen to coach alongside future royalty. She struggles to slot in amongst her uppercrust classmates, however in the end rises to the problem. I want the princess classes right here had extra substance to them than dancing and etiquette, however hey, a coaching sequence revolving round balancing books on her head to enhance her posture and studying elaborate ballroom dance steps is fairly enjoyable.

Nonetheless, I can’t recover from the truth that each pupil will get a private pixie slave, who’s principally there to cater to their each whim. What the hell? I believed Harry Potter’s home elves proved that’s a horrible thought.

Barbie: Princess Appeal Faculty is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

15. Barbie & Her Sisters within the Nice Pet Journey (2015)

Barbie’s sisters — Stacy, Chelsea, and Skipper — lie on the grass, their puppies snoozing between them.

This Barbie is an older sister who needs to save lots of her grandmother’s city from monetary destroy!

This film would really be a reasonably enjoyable Goonies-type journey, the place Barbie and her siblings attempt to discover a secret treasure and save their grandmother’s little city from monetary destroy. Nonetheless, the speaking puppies actually destroy it! I do know it’s The Nice Pet Journey, but it surely works solely properly with out the obnoxious puppies, which simply drag the film down. As I discussed earlier, the puppies return in subsequent films, however the folks at Mattel apparently realized how annoying they had been, and phased out the speaking.

Barbie & Her Sisters within the Nice Pet Journey is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

14. Barbie in Princess Energy (2015)

Barbie as a superhero with a pink mask, flying through the air

This Barbie is a princess who will get superpowers and saves the day!

One of many refreshing components of this Barbie character is that she really has flaws she should confront. On this case, Kara is principally Tony Stark, besides she’s a princess as an alternative of a tech mogul. She will get superpowers, and with the assistance of her two tech-savvy finest pals, she embarks on a secret double life as a superhero. However she will get slightly too large for her britches, shoves folks out of the highlight as a result of she’s involved about her picture, and treats her pals like rubbish, even after they assist construct up her superhero itinerary. This Barbie learns a lesson by the top of the film, although! Then she saves the day along with her super-sparkly powers.

Barbie in Princess Energy is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

13. Barbie in Rock ’N Royals (2015)

A brunette with blue hair streaks in a blue dress talks to a blonde princess in pink.

This Barbie is a princess who by chance swaps locations with a pop star after they attend one another’s camps!

I used to be not anticipating Rock ’N Royals to be pretty much as good as it’s. That is the third of the 4 “Princess Barbie switches locations with another person” films, and likewise the second time she particularly modifications locations with a pop star. This time, it’s a a lot looser “swap” that may be solely attributed to a paperwork mixup: Princess Courtney will get signed up for Camp Pop, whereas worldwide pop star Erika Juno finally ends up at Camp Royal. The rivalry between the camps is excessive, however in the easiest way — particularly after you discover out that the camp leaders are literally resentful exes.

Barbie in Rock ’N Royals is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

12. The Barbie Diaries (2006)

Barbie, a blonde teenage girl, sitting on her pink bed and writing in her diary, her study materials strewn around her.

This Barbie is an everyday highschool lady and aspiring reporter who simply needs to be cool!

When you put each PG highschool film right into a blender and ran it via a janky CG strainer, you’d get The Barbie Diaries. This isn’t a foul factor. That is the primary film to point out Barbie as an everyday teenager — and it got here out years earlier than the opposite “common Barbie” movies. The animated look of this one is inexplicably completely different from all of the others of its period. Sadly, the storyline is strongly mid-2000s, which signifies that not like in different Barbie films, the place Barbie finds some widespread footing along with her rivals, the rivals right here keep imply women. That being mentioned, in the event you respect it for the time capsule it’s, it’s a gem.

The Barbie Diaries is just not at the moment obtainable for streaming or digital rental (except you may entry Stan). It was launched on DVD in 2006.

11. Barbie: Massive Metropolis, Massive Goals (2021)

Malibu Barbie, a blonde-haired blue-eyed white girl, and Brooklyn Barbie, a dark-haired dark-eyed Black girl, jam on their pink guitars together.

This Barbie is an aspiring musician who needs to make it large within the Massive Apple!

Barbie heads to a prestigious performing arts program in New York Metropolis — and learns that there’s one other Barbie Roberts! This one is from New York, in order that they name one another “Malibu” and “Brooklyn.” I really like their friendship, and the entire idea of Barbie Roberts not simply being the acquainted blonde Cali lady is numerous enjoyable. (The a number of Barbie roles additionally assist inform Gerwig’s live-action film.) Malibu Barbie struggles with impostor syndrome, since she doesn’t really feel ok to be a part of this program, particularly after she learns that one among her fellow college students is definitely a well-known pop star in disguise.

Barbie: Massive Metropolis, Massive Goals is on the market to stream on Netflix, and obtainable for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

10. Barbie: Princess Journey (2020)

Two basically identical blonde girls in pink. The one in the background has a tiara, though.

This Barbie is an everyday lady who switches locations with a princess!

For the primary time, Barbie isn’t really the princess character! That alone offers this model of the story a refreshing undercurrent, as a wayward princess principally guilts poor Barbie into pretending to supervise royal obligations. It’s additionally actually enjoyable to see Barbie’s highschool pals and see a brand new facet of Barbie, as a grounded-in-reality lady who will get sucked up into wacky adventures.

Barbie: Princess Journey is on the market to stream on Netflix, and obtainable for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

9. Barbie because the Princess and the Pauper (2004)

A blonde girl in an oldtimey pink dress gasps as she looks at a brunette girl in an oldtimey blue dress. Behind them is a fairy tale village.

This Barbie is a princess whose kingdom is in monetary destroy, so she has to marry a king to put it aside — however she will get kidnapped, so to forestall the queen’s conniving advisor from taking on, her finest buddy and tutor hatches a plan for a servant lady who appears to be like similar to her to take her place! (Phew!)

What does The Princess and the Pauper have that a few of the different early Barbie films didn’t? A well-known actor who dedicated laborious to the villain position. Martin Brief offers his all as Preminger — there’s a purpose this film continues to be as widespread as it’s! Maybe the sheer success and pleasure of Princess and the Pauper is what impressed Mattel to rehash the story three extra instances. There may be much more occurring in Princess and the Pauper than a easy “Let’s each change locations to see how the opposite lives!” Due to that, it soars previous its competitors.

Barbie because the Princess and the Pauper is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

8. Barbie & the Diamond Fort (2008)

Barbie, a young blonde woman with pale skin, wears a pink and orange dress and stands next to Teresa, a young brunette with tan skin, who is wearing a pink and purple dress. They both follow Melody, a pale red-head girl in dark crimson, as she leads them into a castle.

This Barbie and her finest buddy embark on a quest to save lots of a muse trapped in a mirror!

This is sort of a Dungeons & Dragons journey about two bards, finest pals who clear up issues and defeat adversaries via the ability of music and friendship. Alongside the way in which, they butt heads and argue when issues get laborious, however they in the end do not forget that crucial factor is their love for one another. That’s a real Barbie message! Additionally, the songs slap! I’m nonetheless buzzing “Linked.”

Barbie & the Diamond Fort is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

7. Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009)

Four girls in princess dresses fist bump in front of a pink castle gate.

This Barbie secretly trains as a musketeer with three pals and saves a prince from being assassinated!

Why did it take so lengthy to offer Barbie a sword? Why are there no more Barbie films with swords?! Truthfully, it’s a tragedy. Barbie stars as Corinne, a younger girl who goals of changing into a musketeer. (She’s additionally the daughter of d’Artagnan, the primary character of Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Three Musketeers.) She groups up with three different women who share the identical dream, although every of them has a singular (and fashion-forward!) weapon.

Barbie and the Three Musketeers is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

6. Barbie: Spy Squad (2016)

Barbie on a pink motorcycle holding a pink laser sword, racing through a vibrant neon city at night.

This Barbie is a proficient gymnast who will get recruited as a spy along with her two finest pals!

Everybody will get cool devices and superior costumes and — wait, what’s that? This film is definitely about Barbie overcoming the anxiousness that causes her to freeze up and the overwhelming stress she places on herself to succeed as a result of she seems like everyone seems to be relying on her? It’s good to dive into this facet of Barbie! Often, she’s cool, calm, and assured — however the gal has so a lot stress! Absolutely she will get anxious generally and messes up!

Barbie and her pals mess up in Spy Squad, however in a sensible means, not in a irritating means. In spite of everything, they’re simply common youngsters recruited by a spy company; they’re not going to get it straight away! However Barbie learns the way to floor herself and get out of her personal head relating to her anxiousness, and that’s much more of a triumphant arc than taking down the unhealthy man.

Additionally, cool sparkly devices!!

Barbie: Spy Squad is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

5. Barbie & Chelsea: The Misplaced Birthday (2021)

Chelsea, a young blonde girl, standing in a jungle with a big-eyed giraffe, monkey, and elephant.

This Barbie is definitely Barbie’s youngest sister, who’s upset about not getting a birthday celebration!

Of all the films that includes Barbie and her sisters, this one presents essentially the most compelling dive into their relationships. The Roberts women and their dad and mom are on a cruise ship — however after they cross the worldwide dateline, they by chance skip over Chelsea’s birthday! She’s a bit upset, particularly since each single cruise exercise appears to be adults-only or for older youngsters, so she sneaks away and has a vivid dream about trekking via a jungle with some animal pals. Which really is an prolonged metaphor about Chelsea realizing that even because the youngest sister within the household, she’s robust and succesful!

In the meantime, Barbie, Skipper, and Stacie attempt to discover her — however should ruminate on their relationship with their sister, and take into account how they should perceive her slightly higher with a purpose to discover her. It’s most likely essentially the most tender portrayal of the Roberts sisters. Additionally! There may be an elephant, and he or she appears to be like so a lot better than the elephant from Island Princess. I actually wanted that with a purpose to cleanse away the horror.

Barbie & Chelsea: The Misplaced Birthday is on the market to stream on Netflix, and obtainable for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

4. Barbie in A Christmas Carol (2008)

Barbie with her blonde hair in Victorian ringlets, holding a small blonde. Barbie wears a red cape trimmed with white fur.

This Barbie is an conceited Victorian starlet who’s visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve!

I wish to reimagine basic literature with a twist, whether or not meaning transferring tales into completely different time durations or adapting them with completely different genders in key roles. As such, I used to be completely happy with this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ endlessly tailored story A Christmas Carol, which swaps out Scrooge in favor of a useless starlet named Eden Starling.

As an alternative of confronting her greed and starvation for materials gadgets when the inevitable three ghosts present up, Eden confronts her conceitedness and selfishness. Of all of the tailored tales within the Barbie film canon, this one strikes the best steadiness of retaining the story’s unique coronary heart whereas including sufficient oomph — however with out altering the fundamentals a lot that it’s an adaptation in identify solely. And in contrast to The Nutcracker, as an illustration, the unique story is rock-solid. That alone offers Barbie in a Christmas Carol an important basis to take Barbie diversifications to a brand new stage.

Barbie in a Christmas Carol is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

3. Barbie in a Mermaid Story 2 (2012)

Barbie as Merliah, in a surf swim suit, arguing with Kylie, a brunette who now has a purple mermaid tail. They are underwater.

This Barbie is identical half-mermaid professional surfer from A Mermaid Story, however this time, she has to decide on between a giant browsing competitors and her cultural traditions!

I’ve already waxed on elsewhere about how nice this sequel is, however as a recap, Mermaid Story 2 digs into the cross-cultural battle of being a half-magical being who’s solely not too long ago realized about her magical facet, and is discovering it conflicts along with her non-magical targets. Professional surfer Merliah Summers is again, and this time, she and her rival Kylie should save the underwater kingdom of Oceana. On the identical time, Merliah should reckon with what it means to be a mermaid princess and additionally a human. It’s every part great in regards to the unique Mermaid Story, coupled with the queer stress of Barbie: Mermaidia.

Barbie in a Mermaid Story 2 is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

2. Barbie: Mermaid Energy (2022)

A group of mermaids in bright tail colors all posing together.

This Barbie is an everyday lady who turns into a mermaid along with her sisters and finest buddy with a purpose to assist perform an historic mermaid custom!

Barbie has been a mermaid many, many instances — and that is essentially the most fascinating case. Sure, this film does pose 1,000,000 questions in regards to the Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures world. (Mermaids exist? Barbie and her sisters and her buddy all became mermaids canonically?) However rattling, it’s a enjoyable time! Barbie, her sisters, and her roommate Brooklyn reunite with Isla from Dolphin Magic, solely this time, all of them get to remodel into mermaids, and so they additionally get super-cool powers.

There’s some enjoyable stress between the old-school mermaids and the newly turned mermaids, although all of them must recover from it with a purpose to save their underwater kingdom from an island of trash that’s heading their means. Additionally, the villain from Dolphin Magic returns, however she will get a redemption arc that’s really fairly satisfying.

Barbie: Mermaid Energy is on the market to stream on Netflix.

1. Barbie: Star Mild Journey

Barbie in a silver space suit, holding her hands up in the sky. Behind her is an impressive starscape.

This Barbie, who has sick hoverboarding expertise, will get chosen to assist save the galaxy, as a result of the celebrities are slowly going out!

I had very excessive hopes for this one, ever since seeing an out-of-context screencap for it on Tumblr that described it as “if Elsa from Frozen was in Mass Impact.” And people, I’m so happy to say that Barbie: Star Mild Journey completely delivers in each potential means.

It’s one of the vital visually attractive Barbie films, giving a lush pink-and-purple makeover to typical sci-fi set staples like futuristic cities and area journey. The characters all have cool, distinct personalities and powers, and amazingly, none of them are annoying. Actually, aggressive and sassy champion hoverboarder Sal-Lee is likely one of the finest Barbie rival characters within the canon, and socially awkward grasp pilot Prince Leo is a worthy Designated Male Character.

The principle battle of the celebrities going out is definitely actually terrifying when you concentrate on it, and that risk will get an additional edge when compassionate but impulsive Barbie clashes with the extra inflexible and cautious King Constantine, the person who recruited a workforce of proficient youngsters to save lots of the celebrities. However Barbie and the King notice they should work collectively to save lots of the galaxy, so he isn’t the villain he’s poised to be. The risk right here is extra existential and runs deeper than the standard Barbie film plot — many Barbie films characteristic her attempting to save lots of a kingdom, however this time, there’s no particular unhealthy man. To save lots of the universe, Barbie and her pals should begin by determining what the heck is even occurring with the celebrities.

This one is an epic sci-fi journey that additionally occurs to be tremendous pink, sparkly, and filled with lady energy. It’s an ideal Barbie film.

Barbie: Star Mild Journey is on the market for digital rental or buy on Prime Video and Vudu.

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Tags: Barbie, movies, ranked