Toys that become hit movies have never quite achieved the success that is Gerta Gerwig’s Barbie, the cultural phenomenon that has now left many fans feeling nostalgic over their childhood dolls. Heck, some are even apologising for their past mistreatment of their toy dolls after seeing Weird Barbie.
However, the 2023 live-action movie is not the first time Barbie took a stab at acting, as the iconic toy has starred in over 40 movies – and counting – since 2001, and we’re even counting her appearances in the Toy Story franchise.
Anyone who grew up with Barbie would remember the iconic CGI-animated films, especially during the early 2000s and 2010s, that depicted twice-told fairytales, ballets, and fantasy which became cult classics for the now grown-up millennials and Gen Zs.
In celebration of the movie’s record-breaking box office streak, let’s revisit the Barbie animated films that have earned a special place in the hearts of many with their iconic costumes, music, and after-credits blooper reels.
1) Barbie in A Mermaid Tale (2010)
Barbie caught that curl in Barbie in A Mermaid Tale as Merliah (Kelly Sheridan), a champion surfer from Malibu, discovers she isn’t just a half-mermaid, but mermaid royalty. With the help of dolphin Zuma (Tabitha St. Germain), Merliah must embrace her heritage to save the underwater Kingdom of Oceania, and her mother, Queen Calissa (Nicole Oliver), from her evil Aunt Eris (Kathleen Barr).
Inspiring fans to get pink streaks in their hair, Barbie in A Mermaid Tale is definitely a fan favourite. The film also received a sequel in 2011 that took the mermaid princess Down Under but we urge you not to dive into that one.
2) Barbie And The Diamond Castle (2008)
This animated musical adventure was one of Barbie’s more successful odes to the power of friendship, seeing many young fans rushing to get friendship necklaces for one another. The story sees Barbie (Kelly Sheridan) and her friend, Teresa (Cassidy Ladden), two peasant girls who discover a magical mirror and diamond castle. They then embark on a journey to save the imprisoned Muses and defeat the villainous Lydia (Kathleen Barr).
With emotional songs such as Connected and Two Voices, One Song, the film drove home the message of valuing true friendships over material wealth.
3) Barbie as the Island Princess (2007)
Nothing bonded Barbie fans in 2007 more than the shared hatred for a CGI-animated elephant, which made it seem like the animation team had never seen a real elephant before. Barbie as the Island Princess introduced Rosella (Kelly Sheridan), a girl who was shipwrecked on an island and raised by its animal inhabitants. After rescuing Prince Antonio (Alessandro Juliani), she ventures to the Kingdom of Apollonia to piece together her past and uncover a plot against the Crown.
Besides impressive musical numbers, such as Right Here in My Arms and The Rat Song, the film drew fans in with Rosella’s unique gift of talking to animals – something that many at the age dream of doing. Tika the Elephant (Susan Roman) may have been a hideous creature, but this film still worms its way into the hearts of fans.
4) Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
The world of Barbie and ballet are a match made in heaven, and Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses does it 12 royal times over. Barbie stars as Princess Genevieve (Kelly Sheridan), who, along with her 11 sisters, discovers a doorway to a magical world where they can celebrate their love of dance away from the scornful eyes of Duchess Rowena (Catherine O’Hara). The film was also the first of the animated Barbie-verse to be distributed by Universal Pictures.
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses stood out not only because of its gorgeous visuals but also for crafting a personality for each of the sisters – despite Princess Genevieve being the main character. It was a refreshing change of pace to see how each of their unique talents was used to save their kingdom.
5) Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005)
Sibling relationships are a common theme in the animated Barbie-verse, but Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus takes it to a whole new level. Barbie takes on the role of Princess Annika (Kelly Sheridan), a willful and stubborn ice-skater who escapes the clutches of the evil wizard Wenlock (Colin Murdock). She explores the wonders of Cloud Kingdom and teams up with a magnificent winged horse – who turns out to be her sister, Princess Brietta (Lalainia Lindbjerg) – to defeat the wizard and break the spell that imprisoned her family.
Princess Annika broke traditional conventions with a more realistic portrayal of a teenager who made mistakes and was able to learn from them. The film also introduced fans to Shiver (Kathleen Barr), a polar bear cub whose plushie was much more tolerable than its film counterpart.
6) Barbie: Fairytopia (2005)
In Fairytopia’s Magic Meadow, the wingless sprite Elina (Kelly Sheridan) must embark on a journey with her puffball companion, Bibble (Lee Tockar), to find Guardian Fairy Azura (Venus Terzo) when the evil Laverna (Kathleen Barr) weakens all flying creatures in Fairytopia. The challenge comes when Laverna promises to turn her long-awaited desire into reality – a set of wings. Barbie: Fairytopia marked a shift in the direction of animated Barbie films as it was the first to have an original storyline.
With adorable characters like Bibble, who cemented himself as a fan favourite Barbie companion, Barbie: Fairytopia quickly became a fan favourite and sparked two sequels, Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia (2006) and Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007).
7) Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004)
Based loosely on the Mark Twain novel, The Prince and the Pauper, this film is undoubtedly one of the greatest animated Barbie films to be made. Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper follows the stories of Princess Anneliese (Kelly Sheridan) and indentured servant Erika (Julie Stevens). The pair meet in the market and discover that they are almost physically identical; this comes in handy when Anneliese is kidnapped by Preminger (Martin Short), her mother (Ellen Kennedy) ’s advisor, to pressure the Queen to marry him.
The film boasts some of the most popular songs still relevant in pop culture today. These include I Am A Girl Like You, To Be A Princess If You Love Me For Me, and the ultimate villain song, How Can I Refuse?
8) Barbie Of Swan Lake (2003)
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses might have been a stunning collaboration between Barbie and ballet, but Barbie of Swan Lake was THE blueprint for the two elements coming together.
Based on the Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake, the film follows Barbie as Odette (Kelly Sheridan), the young daughter of a baker who follows a unicorn (Venus Terzo) into the Enchanted Forest and is transformed into a swan by an evil wizard (Kelsey Grammer) intent on defeating the Fairy Queen (Kathleen Barr). While its animation didn’t age well, the movie still captures the beauty and elegance of ballet.
9) Barbie as Rapunzel (2002)
Barbie as Rapunzel is one of the most unique takes on the Brothers Grimm’s fairytale of the same name.
Kidnapped by the witch Gothel (Anjelica Huston), Rapunzel (Kelly Sheridan) is locked in a tower and hidden from the outside world. Longing to see what lies beyond, Rapunzel enlists the help of her friends Penelope (Cree Summer) and Hobie (Ian James Corlett), but her dreams are soon dashed when Gothel catches hold of her plans.
Despite being animated in the early 2000s, Rapunzel’s artwork in the film is absolutely stunning, and it’s all thanks to artist Amanda Dunbar who allowed the team to insert her actual artwork into the film digitally.
10) Barbie In The Nutcracker (2001)
Barbie in The Nutcracker is lauded as the film that sparked the beginning of the animated Barbie-verse. Based on the classic Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker, Barbie steps into the role of Clara (Kelly Sheridan), a young girl who receives a lustrous wooden nutcracker from Aunt Elizabeth Drosselmeyer (Kathleen Barr) as a Christmas present. The toy comes to life to protect her from the evil Mouse King (Tim Curry) and his army; the two then set off on a quest to find the Sugarplum Princess.
While not as enthralling as its ballet successor, Barbie of Swan Lake, the film holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of fans as the first movie to have Barbie in all her CGI-animated glory.
With Mattel hoping to open an entire world of Barbie sequels, there could be a chance for fans to see their favourite animated Barbieverse characters on the big screen in live-action. It would certainly be a dream come true for those who grew up on a healthy diet of the doll, paving the road for even more stories to come – the possibilities are endless.
Sasha has been a lover of all things geek since before she could read, having driven her mother up the wall in providing geek material as fast as her daughter could get through them. While Fantasy has been her greatest love, Sasha won’t say no to anything Horror, Action-Packed, or Sci-Fi!
Natalie
Trinity Sun
