Filmmaker Greta Gerwig and Warner Bros.’ Barbie have achieved another milestone this week. Gerwig has now become the highest-grossing female director of all time at the domestic box office, surpassing Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, who directed Frozen II.
In 2019, Frozen II, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, grossed $477.4 million in North America. However, Barbie has now surpassed that number, reaching $492.6 million as of Thursday. On Friday, it will join the exclusive club of films that have exceeded $500 million in domestic box office earnings.
But that’s not all. Gerwig is also celebrating another achievement as Barbie surpasses Captain Marvel, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, to become the highest-grossing film worldwide helmed by a female director. Captain Marvel grossed $1.13 billion globally, while Barbie has already reached $1.113 billion as of Thursday and continues to climb.
Barbie has been breaking barriers since its release, starting with an extraordinary $162 million opening weekend at the North American box office. This marked the highest domestic opening ever for a female director. Previously, Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman debuted at $103.3 million in 2017 and grossed $413 million, while Captain Marvel started with $426 million.
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After just 17 days in theaters, Barbie became the first solo-directed live-action film to enter the billion-dollar club globally. Now, the question is whether Barbie can surpass Frozen II’s worldwide earnings of $1.43 billion and become the highest-grossing film directed by a woman. Frozen, directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, earned $1.28 billion globally.
Given its current pace, box office experts believe that anything is possible for Barbie. It is expected to remain at the top of the box office over the upcoming August 11-13 weekend, despite being in its fourth week of release.
Gerwig’s achievement is significant as it highlights the progress made by female directors in the entertainment industry. It showcases their ability to create successful and impactful films that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Barbie’s success can also be attributed to its broad appeal. The film explores themes of empowerment and inclusivity, capturing the hearts of both children and adults. Its positive message and strong female lead have helped it become a box office sensation.
This achievement shines a spotlight on the importance of representation and diversity in the film industry. It shows that audiences are hungry for stories that reflect their experiences and perspectives, and that female directors can deliver those narratives effectively.
The success of Barbie also opens doors for more opportunities for female directors in Hollywood. It proves that projects led by women can not only be commercially successful but also critically acclaimed. This achievement will hopefully inspire studios to invest in more films directed by women and promote gender equality in the industry.
Furthermore, Barbie’s success reinforces the fact that diversity behind the camera leads to diversity on-screen. When films are directed by women, they often feature female protagonists and explore themes that resonate with women and girls. This representation is essential for creating inclusive and well-rounded storytelling.
As Barbie continues to shatter records, it is evident that the film industry is evolving. The success of female-directed films like Barbie proves that audiences are ready for diverse and inclusive stories. It is a testament to the power of representation and the potential for change in the entertainment industry.
Greta Gerwig’s achievement as the highest-grossing female director is a significant milestone, but it is just the beginning. The industry still has a long way to go in terms of achieving gender parity and creating equal opportunities for women in film. However, with every milestone and breakthrough, the path becomes a little clearer, and the future looks brighter for female directors in Hollywood.
