Everything you could ever need to know about the Barbie movie

Come on, Barbie, let's go party! 🎀

Barbie
Author: Alex RossPublished 26th Mar 2024
Last updated 3rd Apr 2024

It's all about BARBIE right now! The release of the highly-anticipated movie was finally upon us in July 2023, and it's safe to say we were not disappointed when seeing starring actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in action! With the film quickly becoming one for the books, join us as we recap everything there is to know about the Barbie movie, including the cast, how to watch the film, the soundtrack, and just how Margot filmed the iconic 'foot scene'...

Although the movie has an extensive cast list, including the likes of Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, America Ferrera, Ncuti Gatwa and Helen Mirren, singing sensation Dua Lipa also made her acting debut, playing the role as mermaid Barbie.

When did the Barbie movie come out?

After what felt like a decade of waiting, the Barbie movie dropped on Friday 21st July 2023.

How can I watch the Barbie movie?

As of 29th March 2024, fans can watch the incredible movie on Sky Cinema!

Take a look at photos from the UK Barbie premiere:

Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie


Margot Robbie



Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie


Simu Liu



Nicola Coughlan


Simu Liu



Sam Smith


America Ferrera, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling


Dua Lipa





Simu Liu





Trailer for Barbie movie:

On Thursday 25th May, Warner Bros. released the main trailer for Barbie, featuring Margot and Ryan, as well as some other huge names that feature in the film.

The caption for the trailer stated: 'To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken'.

In the trailer, Barbie is tasked with venturing into 'the real world' in a bid to restore her happiness. However, Barbie and Ken later find themselves in trouble with the law and end up in jail.

The trailer also shows Barbie becoming the target of a hunt led by a toy company CEO, who angrily declares that 'no one rests until this doll is back in a box!'

What is the Barbie movie about?

Directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Greta and Noah Baumbach, Barbie the movie is a live-action romantic comedy based on the famous Barbie fashion dolls.

The movie, which was actually first mentioned way back in 2009, will feature Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, as Barbie sets off from 'Barbieland' into the human world to find happiness, with the person playing with her 'stereotypical barbie doll' beginning to feel sad.

Warner Bros. said of the movie: 'To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you're a Ken.'

Without spoiling the plot too much, the Barbie movie celebrates female empowerment as Ken - the surprising 'villain' of the film - discovers the patriarchy... Or as he likes to think of it, 'horses'.

On Barbie's journey to reverse the changes Ken has made to Barbieland, the film explores the true meaning of happiness and what it means to live in the Real World.

Did Margot really arch her feet, or is it CGI?

A hot topic of conversation, following the release of the official trailer, was how Margot managed to keep her feet in perfect Barbie form once she took her heels off. As we all know, Barbie dolls' feet stay arched once their shoes are removed - a feature that is replicated in the Barbie movie.

Despite speculating that it may have involved a helping hand from CGI, Margot surprised fans when she revealed that they are actually her feet! With the help of a bar to hold on to, and some sticky tape on her shoes, Margot actually kept her feet arched herself!

Who is in the cast?

As well as Margot Robbie playing the lead role of Barbie, and Ryan Gosling playing the lead role of Ken, the movie signed some huge names for the supportive characters.

Helen Mirren narrates the movie, with British singer Dua Lipa making her acting debut as mermaid Barbie.

Sex Education stars Connor Swindells, Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey also appear, alongside Hollywood legend Will Ferrell.

Other names include Michael Cera, America Ferrera, Ritu Arya, Hari Nef, Ana Cruz Kayne, and Derry Girls and Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan.

See the full cast list below:

Margot Robbie - Barbie

Ryan Gosling - Ken

Will Ferrell - The CEO of the toy company

Helen Mirren - Narrator

Ncuti Gatwa - Ken

Simu Lee - Ken

Dua Lipa - Mermaid Barbie

Nicola Coughlan - Diplomat Barbie

Emma Mackey - Physicist Barbie

Connor Swindells - Toy company intern

Issa Rae - President Barbie

Kate McKinnon - Gymnast Barbie

Alexandra Shipp - Writer Barbie

Ana Cruz Kayne - Judge Barbie

Michael Cera - Allan

Hari Nef - Doctor Barbie

Emerald Fennell - Midge

Sharon Rooney - Lawyer Barbie

Scott Evans - Ken

Kingsley Ben-Adir - Ken

Jamie Demetriou - Toy company employee

America Ferrera - Unknown role

Rhea Perlman - Unknown role

Ariana Greenblatt - Unknown role

Marisa Abela - Unknown role

Ritu Arya - Unknown role

John Cena - Unknown role

The soundtrack - Barbie The Album

Not only has the film taken the world by storm, but the incredible soundtrack has too!

Featuring huge names such as Lizzo, Sam Smith, Nicki Minaj and Charlie XCX, the album also includes the epic lead single 'Dance The Night' provided by Dua Lipa - which as of August 2023, is certified Silver in the UK,

To top it all off, the album even has a song by Ryan Gosling - aka Ken - himself (yep, you read that right). Check out the full tracklist, as well as everything else you need to know about Barbie The Album.

The Barbie dream house

As if it isn't exciting enough that we are getting a Barbie live-action film, fans couldn't believe their eyes when a real-life Barbie dream house popped up in Malibu, California! Not only that, but it is available to Air BnB from July!

Decked out with a full hot-pink colour scheme, the mansion is also kitted out with a gym, vibrant cowboy-themed bedroom, a pool, floats, and... Pretty much all things Barbie! Check out the photos in the Instagram post below.

Teaser trailer for Barbie movie:

A one-minute, 14 seconds teaser trailer was released for Barbie in December 2022, featuring Margot Robbie and a number of other stars from the film.

The trailer confirmed the movie's release date of 21st July.

What songs feature on the Barbie soundtrack?

Dua Lipa has released a song called 'Dance The Night', which features on the soundtrack. Nicki Minaj has also released a collab with Ice Spice, which samples Aqua's 'Barbie Girl'.

Billie Eilish has released a new single called 'What Was I Made For?', which feature on the film's soundtrack. The song is out now.

Sam Smith has become the latest singer to announce a song for the film. Sam released 'Man I Am' on the day of the film's release (21st July).

Barbie is in UK cinemas now.

Now read:

Dwayne Johnson announces live-action remake of Moana

Margot Robbie reveals surprising reaction to Barbie movie photos getting leaked

All the details we know so far about Disney's upcoming live-action remakes

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