Exciting news! Greta Gerwig’s big Barbie movie is out now. And you can watch it on Max. It’s all about Barbie and her adventures and you can enjoy it from your own home. Here’s a quick look at how you can catch Barbie on Max, right from your comfy spot in your Dreamhouse or Mojo Dojo Casa House.
As the most popular Barbie, Stereotypical Barbie embarks on a journey to the human world, grappling with irrepressible thoughts of mortality and body image, all while seeking her true purpose in life. Alongside her, Ryan Gosling takes on the role of Ken, her almost-boyfriend, on a quest for self-discovery, temporarily transforming Barbieland into his personal bachelor pad.
“Barbie” made its theatrical debut in July 2023, attracting audiences who flocked to witness the female-led comedy while adorned in various shades of pink to honor Mattel’s beloved (and at times, controversial) doll. The opening weekend marked a significant milestone, becoming the highest-grossing debut for a female director at the domestic box office.
For those eager for more Barbie magic, Max is unveiling an American Sign Language (ASL) version along with bonus footage. The extras include cast interviews, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the film, and more. Here’s your guide on how to indulge in this billion-dollar movie on Max and experience the world of Barbie like never before.
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When is the Barbie movie streaming on Max?
The highly anticipated Barbie movie is officially available for streaming on Max, starting from December 15 at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET. Now, fans can dive into the vibrant world of Barbie from the comfort of their homes.
Max has also unveiled a special treat for viewers with the release of an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the record-breaking film, titled “Barbie with ASL.” This unique version features ASL performer Leila Hanaumi, adding an inclusive and accessible dimension to the Barbie experience.
So, whether you’re a Barbie aficionado or a newcomer to the pink-hued universe, now is the perfect time to catch the film on Max, and for those eager to explore the story with ASL, “Barbie with ASL” promises an enhanced and inclusive viewing experience.
How I watch the Barbie movie at home?
Good news for Barbie fans! You can now enjoy the blockbuster film from the comfort of your home with a Max subscription or on various video-on-demand platforms offering the Max channel. Such as DirecTV Stream, Hulu, or Amazon’s Prime Video. If you prefer flexibility, the digital version of Barbie is also available for rent at $5.99 or for purchase at $19.99 on Amazon’s Prime Video and Apple TV.
After a successful run in cinemas lasting over a month, Barbie has achieved remarkable milestones. It has secured its position as the world’s highest-grossing movie in 2023, surpassing Marvel’s. The Avengers and ranking as the 11th top-earning film of all time in terms of domestic sales. Barbie has also claimed records for Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing domestic release and the most significant domestic opening ever for a non-superhero film or sequel.
10 Top listed Barbie Movies
10. An Homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey
Barbie began with a depiction of young girls deeply engaged in playing with their baby dolls, their love for these traditional toys quickly overshadowed by the introduction of the first monumental Barbie. This specific scene deliberately paid homage to Stanley Kubrick’s legendary “Dawn of Man” sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
In Kubrick’s masterpiece, a colossal monolith alters the course of evolution among apes, ushering in the dawn of conscious thought in humans. Certain shots in Barbie closely mirrored those in the original, unmistakably revealing Greta Gerwig’s inspiration drawn from this cinematic masterpiece.
This artistic choice served as an effective means to portray the profound impact that Barbie had on young girls. Up until that point, their aspirations had been limited to the role of mothers, influenced by their engagement with infantile playthings.
9. Sasha and Her Friends Potentially Represented the Bratz Dolls
One of the most intriguing speculations surrounding Barbie involves a significant Bratz Easter egg that fans assert emerged when Barbie ventured into the real world. During her visit to a high school, Barbie encountered four girls, among them Sasha, who happened to be Gloria’s daughter. These girls delivered a rather pointed critique to Barbie, expressing that they hadn’t engaged with Barbie dolls since they were five years old.
Keen observers noted that Sasha and her friends perfectly aligned with the four Bratz dolls. A popular alternative for girls as they outgrew Barbie. Not only did the girls resemble the Bratz dolls, but Sasha’s mother also affectionately referred to her as “Bunny Boo,” mirroring the nickname for the Sasha doll and her pet rabbit in the Bratz universe.
8. Multiple Wizard of Oz References
Greta Gerwig openly discussed her profound influence from “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) in an interview with Letterboxd, and this influence manifested in various aspects within the narrative of Barbie. As Barbie embarked on her departure from Barbie Land. She drove past a movie theater prominently featuring “The Wizard of Oz.” Additionally, the path leading her out of her comfort zone was referred to as a Pink Brick Road, reminiscent of the Yellow Brick Road that Dorothy traversed in the classic film.
Both Barbie and “The Wizard of Oz” symbolize young women embarking on significant journeys that transform their worlds. While Barbie transitioned from the realm of fantasy to reality, her journey was also one of self-discovery. The painted sets and the deliberately “authentically artificial” atmosphere of Barbie Land were directly inspired by the aesthetic of “The Wizard of Oz.”
7. Ruth and Barbie’s Touching Hands Mirrored “The Creation of Adam”Â
The incorporation of Ruth Handler the creator of Barbie was a sentimental highlight that resonated well with fans in the movie. Greta Gerwig took it a step further by infusing Ruth’s interaction with Barbie with additional significance, incorporating a Renaissance touch. In a subtle yet meaningful detail, when Ruth served tea to Barbie, the positioning of their hands mirrored the iconic “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo.
This brief but intricate detail added layers to a seemingly simple scene, as Ruth was the visionary behind bringing Barbie to life and sparking the imaginations of girls globally. It became a truly poetic moment, highlighting the depth within what might initially be perceived as a lighthearted film. Notably, this detail was Margot Robbie’s favorite Easter egg in Barbie.
6. The Pegasus Statue and Fairy Sign in Barbie Land
What made the Barbie movie particularly poignant was the deliberate choice not to establish a new order; Greta Gerwig embraced the rich history of Barbie and incorporated every form and rendition that had preceded her film. Rather than reinventing, the movie built upon and enriched the existing legacy, a sentiment reinforced by subtle Easter eggs like the Pegasus statue on the beach in Barbie Land.
The inclusion of the Pegasus in the film served as a not-so-subtle homage to a beloved Barbie animated movie, “Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus,” released in 2005. Additionally, a prominent sign featuring Barbie as a fairy in the background of the beach scenes was a nod to another animated installment, “Barbie: A Fairy Secret.” These references paid tribute to the animated Barbie movies that held an irreplaceable place in the childhoods of many girls.
5. Weird Barbie’s Choice to Stereotypical Barbie Is Like The Matrix
One of the most pivotal and amusing moments in Barbie’s journey occurred when Weird Barbie presented Stereotypical Barbie with a choice, using two different versions of the same object. She had the option to remain in Barbie Land indefinitely as her challenges intensified, or she could venture into the real world to unravel who was playing with her and why thoughts of death and cellulite were being implanted in Barbie’s mind.
Both scenarios represented life-altering choices, and the reference added a clever layer to the narrative.
4. Barbie Land’s Airport Is Called BAX
Despite being two separate and distinct universes in Barbie, both Barbie Land and the real world featured numerous references straight from reality. A particularly amusing detail was the naming of the airport in Barbie Land as BAX, a clear nod to LAX, the Los Angeles International Airport.
This playful inclusion highlighted the intricacy of the Barbie Universe in the movie, adding a layer of relatability for viewers. Even a pink Statue of Liberty contributed to the richness of the environment where all the Barbies resided and flourished.
3. Gloria’s Husband Is America Ferrera’s Real-Life Partner
Gloria’s husband had a brief cameo in Barbie, and fans would be delighted to know that the actor portraying him was none other than America Ferrera’s real-life husband, Ryan Piers Williams. His character, characterized by a goofy and sweet demeanor, was primarily dedicated to learning new languages.
His appearance took on an even more heartwarming quality when he shared the phrase “SÃ, se puede” with Barbie, translating to “Yes, we can.” While the slogan holds political significance, it was also famously uttered by Ferrera’s character in the 2002 Disney original film, Gotta Kick It Up! This connection became even more endearing considering it was one of America Ferrera’s earliest acting roles.
2. The Woman at the Bus Stand Is Legendary
Barbie’s initial experiences in the real world proved challenging, yet they led to one of the most heartwarming sequences in the movie. While sitting at a bus stop, Barbie encountered a delightful older woman. In a touching moment, the doll expressed that the woman was beautiful, prompting a sassy response affirming that she was well aware.
Remarkably, this woman wasn’t an actress but the legendary costume designer Ann Roth, renowned for her work in films like Midnight Cowboy, Hair, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Village, Mamma Mia!, and more. Roth, a 91-year-old maven with two Academy Awards to her name, added a unique and esteemed touch to the cameo. Despite initial expectations of a cameo by Barbara Handler, the woman who inspired Barbie, Greta Gerwig took an unconventional route by choosing one of the industry’s most respected veterans for this memorable scene.
1. The Humanity Montage Featured Real Clips of Cast and Crew’s Family
Barbie resonated with audiences on various levels, but its core essence lay in the portrayal of girlhood and womanhood. As Barbie grappled with an existential crisis and the desire to discover a deeper purpose beyond being a doll, Ruth illuminated the true essence of womanhood. A poignant montage ensued, featuring emotional clips of girls and women navigating life, celebrating both the highs and lows of the human experience.
Greta Gerwig revealed that the footage in this powerful final montage was sourced from real mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends of the cast and crew of Barbie.