The Barbie movie is on pace to be the top-grossing film this year. This means we’re about to get a lot of movies trying to duplicate that success in a toy-filled cinematic future.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
The “Barbie” movie has made more than $1.2 billion worldwide. It’s on pace to surpass “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as the top-grossing film this year.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, “BARBIE”)
HARI NEF: (As Barbie) This is the best day ever.
MARGOT ROBBIE: (As Barbie) It is the best day ever. So is yesterday and so is tomorrow. And every day from now until forever.
(SOUNDBITE OF DUA LIPA SONG, “DANCE THE NIGHT”)
ROBBIE: (As Barbie) You guys ever think about dying?
(SOUNDBITE OF RECORD SCRATCH)
KELLY: Well, this means we are about to get a lot of movies that try to duplicate “Barbie’s” success. Mattel and Hasbro both have films in the works based on toys, toys including Nerf, Hot Wheels, the Magic 8 Ball and many more. Here to talk us through our toy-filled cinematic future is Stephen Thompson, co-host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour. Stephen, hi there.
STEPHEN THOMPSON, BYLINE: Hey, Mary Louise.
KELLY: OK. Tell me what exactly we’re dealing with here because there have been movies for ages based on toys, all about toys. How exactly is “Barbie” changing things?
THOMPSON: Well, it’s worth remembering upfront that there have been dozens, literally dozens, of Barbie movies. This isn’t the first Barbie movie. It’s just the one that made more than a billion dollars. And it’s really helped make Mattel a big player in the movie business. There have already been Mattel movies based on American Girl dolls, but there are a bunch more in the pipeline. There’s a Barney movie in the works with Daniel Kaluuya. J.J. Abrams is attached to a Hot Wheels movie. Jimmy Warden, who wrote “Cocaine Bear,” is working on a horror-comedy based on the Magic 8 Ball. And there are…
KELLY: OK.
THOMPSON: I know. There are a bunch of other Mattel movies they’re…
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