Barbie’s Cinematic Journey: A Complete Guide To Watching All Barbie Movies In Order
The first ever live-action ode to Barbie just hit the cinemas in July, but the Barbie we know has appeared in 40 computer-animated films over the past years since the first film, Barbie in the Nutcracker, was released in 2001.
The earliest features were inspired by classic stories, fairy tales, and even literary favorites. They later moved to original narratives set in magical worlds and royal kingdoms, which then got more realistic, like high school classrooms and present-day New York.
Their latest offering landed in 2022 called Barbie: Mermaid Power. Moreover, over the last 40 movies, the effervescent Barbie has taken on versatile roles, from royalty to rock star and spy.
In light of the latest live-action summer blockbuster, let us catch up on the previous installments of the Plastic Fantastic Doll and Her World that fans all over the world cannot get enough of. Here is a presentation– all Barbie movies in order.
How To Watch All Barbie Movies In Order
The original barbie movies are not a series, so you won’t miss much if you do not follow the order. If you are wondering how many Barbie movies are there, well, the number is over 40 as of 2023.
The old Barbie movies were made in the early 2000s, so the quality may not be as good. But the nostalgia cannot possibly allow that to stand between you and a Barbie movie. Here are all the Barbie movies in order of their release.
Barbie In The Nutcracker
First on the list is Barbie in the Nutcracker! When Barbie’s younger sister struggles to rehearse a ballet solo, she decides to help by telling her the story of the Nutcracker. In the story, a young girl named Clara receives a pretty Nutcracker as a Christmas present. Furthermore, that same night, the toy comes alive to protect Clara from the mouse king and his soldiers.
Barbie As Rapunzel
Secondly, in this spin on the classic fairytale, Barbie plays Rapunzel, who has spent her entire life locked away in a tower by an evil witch. Additionally, with her friends Penelope, a dragon, and Hobie, a rabbit, she finds a way to escape out of the tower, where she meets the handsome Prince Stefan.
Ending quote: “Love and imagination can change the world.”
Barbie Of Swan Lake
The third one is another ballet-inspired feature of Barbie, who tells the story of Swan Lake to little sister Kelly. In the story, Odette is a gifted dancer who stumbles into an enchanted forest where she gets transformed into a swan by an evil witch who wants to steal the throne from the Fairy Queen.
Ending quote: “You’re braver than you think.”
Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper
Inspired by Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper is the fourth feature from the franchise. It follows the interconnected stories of two young girls born on the same night- Princess Anneliese and a commoner, Erika. A coincidental encounter brings them together. They look identical except for their hair color. Eventually, their friendship helps them overturn all the evil plots of the royal adviser, Preminger.
Ending quote: “Live your dream.”
Barbie Fairytopia
This one is a series with 2 other movies that were released intermittently. If you want to watch the barbie Fairytopia movies in order, just check their titles and year of release.
The story revolves around Elina, who is a flower fairy with no wings and is usually made fun of by her fellow fairies. However, when another flower fairy gets kidnapped, and the others start to lose their flying abilities, Elina decides to end the evil plans of Laverna, who releases a poisonous mist into the air to kill all the fairies.
Ending quote: “What makes you different makes you special.”
Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus
When the evil witch Wenlock turns her entire village, including her parents, into statues, Princess Annika is rescued by a winged horse named Brietta, who whisks her off to the cloud kingdom. Here, she gets to know about how she can defeat Wenlock and break the curse that left her family blighted.
Ending quote: “There is always hope.”
The Barbie Diaries
Here, Barbie features as a typical teenager busy with school, friends, and dating. When she starts writing her hopes and dreams in her diary, they start to come true. However, there is a crux: she soon finds herself becoming distant from her best friends.
Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia
Flower fairy Elina comes back for a second time in this film. This time, Laverna is also back.
Along with her minions who have kidnapped Elina’s pal, the merman prince Nalu. Elina sets out to rescue him, for which she must travel from Fairytopia to Mermaidia.
Ending quote: “Trust your true self.”
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
Based on the German fairytale, tells the story of King Rudolph and his daughters. Barbie is Genevieve, the most eccentric of the 12 sisters. Their lives become stifled when the King’s cousin Rowena arrives to teach the siblings royal etiquette. Later, they find a portal to a magical world where they become free to dance all night.
Ending quote: “There’s a difference only you can make.”
Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow
In another of the Fairytopia movies, Elina and fellow sprites are given the duty to create the first rainbow of the season. Before they can complete the task, they will have to study at the fairy school at the Crystal Palace, but the evil Laverna is back to dismiss their plans all over again.
Ending quote: “Together we’re strong.”
Barbie as the Island Princess
Rosella is found shipwrecked on a tropical island as a baby, where she grows up alongside animal buddies such as Tika the elephant, Azul the peacock, and Sagi, the red panda. When Prince Antonia comes to the shore, the duo falls in love, inviting her to travel to his kingdom, where she can get back her memories of the past.
Ending quote: “There may be miracles awaiting
They may be closer than we know
When we have love to guide us as we go.”
Barbie Mariposa
Another Fairytopia spin-off allows us to meet Mariposa, a butterfly from Flutterfield, a far-away land protected by Queen Marabella’s magical lights. The evil witch Henna poisons the queen, and the light starts to fade away, leaving the kingdom open to threat. Mariposa and friends set out to find the antidote outside Flutterfiled.
Ending quote: “The most beautiful thing you can be is yourself.”
Barbie and the Diamond Castle
Alexa and Liana are given a magical mirror, where they find a girl named Melody trapped inside. When she is freed, Melody narrates her life in the diamond castle. Lydia, the evil queen, tried to take the palace for herself. The three set out to lift the curse and end the evil queen’s reign over the diamond castle.
Ending quote: “Friendship is the true treasure.”
Barbie in A Christmas Carol
Barbie stars here in a Charles Dickens novel spin-off. She plays a glamorous but miserly singer Eden Starling, who plans to make her contemporary performers rehearse on Christmas day. Will the three Christmas spirits be able to change her heart?
Ending quote: “Keep the beauty of Christmas in your heart every day of the year.”
Barbie Thumbelina
Thumbelina lives in a magical world that is hidden among the wildflowers, but when a young girl named Makena destroys her patch, she and her pals move to a city apartment. Here, they learn that the construction company’s redevelopment plans will soon threaten their home.
Ending quote: “Even the smallest person can make a big difference.”
Barbie and the Three Musketeers
This one is a spinoff of the Alexandre Dumas classic. Corinne is the daughter of the musketeer D’Artagnan, who dreams of following in her father’s footsteps. When she goes to Paris, she is made fun of by being told that girls cannot be musketeers. Undeterred, Corinne teams up with three of her palace maids who share her zeal.
Ending quote: “True courage is pursuing your dream, even when everyone else says it’s impossible.”
Barbie in a Mermaid Tale
Merliah is a surfing champion who discovers that her mother is a mermaid queen of the underwater kingdom, Oceana. It is now ruled by her tyrannical aunt. When Mariah’s magic pendant reveals her long-missing mother is alive, she travels to Oceana to rescue her. She gets the help of a friendly dolphin and some new mermaid buddies.
Ending quote: “What makes you different just might be your greatest strength.”
Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale
Dejected after being fired from a film and also being dumbed by Ken, Barbie puts all her focus on her inner rom-com actor. She goes to Paris to forget all her problems. She visits her fashion designer aunt Millicent, where she learns that her business is on the verge of being shut down. Barbie and her aunt’s assistant, Alice, must rescue the company in time.
Ending quote: “Magic happens when you believe in yourself.”
Barbie: A Fairy Secret
‘Ken gets kidnapped at the orders of a fairy princess who fell in love with him. Barbie has to team up with her rival Raquelle to go to the fairy realm and win him back. She has help from her team of fashion stylists who have magical powers of their own.
Ending quote: “Forgiveness lets you fly.”
Barbie: Princess Charm School
Barbie plays Blair, a waitress who is selected to join a prestigious school where she will be taught to act like royalty. She soon thrives at her lessons and makes many friends among her classmates. One of the cold-hearted teachers starts to realize Blair looks a lot like the Kingdom’s missing princess. She then tries to stop her from learning her own identity at all costs.
Ending quote: “There’s a princess in every girl.”
Barbie A Perfect Christmas
For the Christmas holidays, Barbie and her sisters Stacie, Skipper, and Chelsea plan to go on a festive trip to New York. They would meet their aunt Millie. But unexpected complications make them stop at Tannenbaum.
Ending quote: “Being together is what makes a perfect Christmas.”
Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2
Merliah goes to Australia for a surfing competition in this Mermaid Tale sequel. When she is not at Oceana. Evil mermaid Eris emerges from her whirlpool and attempts to take her throne. Merliah and her pals must foil her evil plottings.
Ending quote: “It feels good to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Barbie: The Princess and the Popstar
Keira feels overwhelmed by her fame of being a pop star. Tori is a princess who is stifled by her royal life and protocols. They decide to swap places for a day. They think the other’s life will be easier than their own. But their experiences turn out surprisingly different!
Ending quote: “There’s a star that’s right inside you,
So come on and let it out
Find out what you’re about and just shout
Here I am!”
Barbie in The Pink Shoes
Ballet dancer Kristyn tries a new pair of sparkling dance shoes. Her life is drawn into a whirlwind of fantastical dance fun. She must dance to her favorite ballets like Giselle and Swan Lake to defeat the evil Snow Queen. It is inspired by the fairytale- The Red Shoes.
Ending quote: “Listen to the beat of your heart and keep on dancing.”
Barbie: Mariposa and the Fairy Princess
Mariposa goes from Flutterfield to the kingdom of Shimmervale as a royal ambassador. Her work is to make peace between Flutterfield’s rivals, the Crystal Fairie, but soon, with the help of her new friend Princess Catania, she finds that a dark fairy is planning to destroy the realm.
Ending quote: “The best way to make a friend is to be a friend.”
Barbie and her Sisters in a Pony Tale
With her sisters Stacie, Skipper, and Chelsea, Barbie heads off to Switzerland to spend the summer at a horse riding camp. While looking for a horse to bring back home, she minds a magical one that soon turns out to be of a very typical breed.
Ending quote: “If you love something, set it free.”
Barbie: The Pearl Princess
Lumina is a mermaid who is a skilled underwater hairdresser. She also has the ability to change the color of pearls and make them dance. She is invited to the royal ball, where she must help deter the threats of evil forces wanting to take over the kingdom.
Ending quote: “Always leave things better than you found them.”
Barbie and the Secret Door
Princess Alexa likes to read more than fulfill her royal duties. She finds a secret door to a world full of magical creatures and learns about her special powers. She must use them to stand up against the villainous Malucia, who is trying to rob the land of its magic.
Ending quote: “You never know what you can do unless you try.”
Barbie in Princess Power
A magical butterfly grants Princess Kara special powers, turning her into a Super Sparkle. Her jealous cousin gets to know about it and finds a butterfly to become Dark Sparkle, her nemesis. Will they be able to keep their rivalry aside to save their kingdom?
Ending quote: “The power to change the world has been inside you all along.”
Barbie in Rock ‘N Royals
A mix-up causes Princess Courtney to trade places with rock star Erika. It happens when the royal is sent to cap pop, and the singer goes to camp royalty. Trying to get the best of their situation, they learn about each other’s lives and make new friends along the way.
Ending quote: “Rock your own story.”
Barbie and Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure
Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea, and their puppy friends go to their hometown and discover an old map in their grandma’s attic. It could lead to some long-buried treasure!
Barbie: Spy Squad
Barbie becomes a spy who is recruited by a secret spy agency when they are impressed by her gymnastic skills. Along with her friends, Teresa and Renee end up tracking a cat burglar who has gone undetected for the longest time.
Ending quote: “This is our story, what’s yours?”
Barbie: Star Light Adventure
Barbie is a space Princess surfing through the cosmos with popcorn by her side. The stars start to flicker, and Barbie must go to a new planet to join the mission to save the galaxy.
Ending quote: “This is our story, what’s yours?”
Barbie and Her Sisters in a Puppy Chase
Barbie and her sisters travel to a tropical island to support Chelsea when she competes in a dance competition. They visit the dancing horse festival nearby and lose their puppies. Will they be able to find their pets before Chelsea performs on stage?
Ending quote: “This is our story, what’s yours?”
Barbie Video Game Hero
Fans get to see Barbie in a gaming world of her favorite game. But she is not alone! A cloud named Cutie and a princess called Bella are her companions. They must defeat the evil emoji while they pass each level.
Ending quote: “This is our story, what’s yours?”
Barbie Dolphin Magic
Ken completes his marine biology internship, where Barbie and her sisters visit. She meets a mermaid and discovers a rare dolphin. Ultimately, she learns that Ken’s boss wants to exhibit to earn money, and he is bent on saving it.
Ending quote: “This is our story, what’s yours?”
Barbie Princess Adventure
Princess Amelia is scared of taking on her royal duties. She has a plan to swap places with her lookalike Barbie, who is in the princess’ home country, Floravia, for an exchange trip.
Ending quote: “Life doesn’t happen on camera. Life is what happens when the cameras are off.”
Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday
Barbie and her family are on their way to celebrate Chelsea’s seventh birthday. The boat crosses the international date line, and now that they lost their birthday, Chelsea wants to find it. They head to an enchanted jungle in a bid to get it back.
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams
Barbie goes to New York to attend a summer program where she meets Brooklyn Barbie. They become friends, but they are competing to perform a solo at Times Square. Who will win?
Barbie: Mermaid Power
Finally, on this list is Barbie: Mermaid Power! The two Barbies and their sisters are now mermaids who want to help their friend Isla, who appeared in the previous film Dolphin Magic. Furthermore, they have to take part in challenges to see who gets to become the power keeper of the underwater kingdom.
How the Barbie Movie Franchise Impacted the Society
The Barbie movie franchise has played a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes towards gender roles, empowerment, and social issues.
Its influence extends beyond entertainment, making a lasting impression on culture and society. Let me tell you a few of them:
Empowerment and Representation
First and foremost, the Barbie movies have consistently promoted the idea that women can achieve anything. Furthermore, by showcasing Barbie in diverse roles, such as a scientist, astronaut, and president, the franchise has inspired young girls to dream big and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men.
Challenging Stereotypes
Barbie movies have evolved to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes. They emphasize that both girls and boys can break free from societal expectations and be whoever they want to be. Additionally, this message has resonated with many, encouraging a more inclusive and accepting society.
Cultural Impact
The franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, music, and even language. For instance, phrases like “Barbie world” have entered everyday vocabulary, and the movies’ vibrant aesthetics have inspired fashion trends and social media content.
Awareness of Social Issues
Recent Barbie movies have tackled important social issues such as environmental conservation, mental health, and equality. Besides, by addressing these topics, the franchise has raised awareness and sparked conversations among its audience, contributing to a more informed and conscious society.
Economic Influence
Finally, the success of Barbie movies also had an economic impact. It has boosted sales of Barbie dolls and related merchandise, contributing to the toy industry’s growth. Additionally, the movies have created job opportunities in animation, marketing, and retail sectors.
Get, Set, Barbie!
In conclusion, Barbie has been our beloved princess who has a heart of gold. A movie marathon of all the Barbie movies will take days… but it’s worth it.
Let us know if you watched it or plan to watch all Barbie movies in order, and share your thoughts with us. We would love to hear from you!
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