I’m a bit of a Barbie fanatic. These movies quite literally raised me. Growing up, my family had a DVD with all of the OG Barbie movies on it. My sisters and I would watch it on repeat in the car to the point that we memorized the words. The car karaoke was immaculate.
As a self-proclaimed Barbie enthusiast, I present a handful of the most iconic movies ranked—from masterpieces that should be analyzed in English class to mishaps that could pass as horror movies.
Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for the Barbie movies listed.
- Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper
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At the top of the list, we have Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper. Princess Anneliese, who desires more than the fuss and frills of royal life, and pauper Erika, who wants to escape her late parents’ debt to a dress shop owner, meet unexpectedly and bear an uncanny resemblance. This leads to a plan to switch places and culminates in the suppression of a threat to the throne. If you haven’t seen this movie, stop reading, and go watch it. I’m serious. Anneliese and Erika are incredible characters. Dominick and Julian are the standard for romantic interests, and there is no calm, civilized way to listen to the songs. Not to mention the political intrigue and social class issues discussed. But, the real star of the show is actually the antagonist: Preminger. The dramatic king and narcissistic icon carries the movie with his witty commentary and theatrical reactions (see the TikToks below). Now, you must watch the movie, for how could you refuse? (If you didn’t understand the reference, go watch the movie!)
- Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
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This is a movie about twelve sisters. It is about magical shoes and a hidden staircase. It is about dancing. It is about family. I love how this film highlights the value of uniqueness and personality in life. The princesses’ world becomes shades of gray when the Duchess strips them of their hobbies. She takes away their individuality: colorful dresses become the same dull gray. Croquet mallets, musical instruments, and stilts become etiquette lessons and cleaning duties. It is only through dancing that the girls can be themselves again. The movie shows the importance of the arts and how they bring color to the world.
- Barbie and the Three Musketeers
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If we’re talking about female empowerment, Barbie and the Three Musketeers is the first movie that comes to mind. It is the story of Corinne, who dreams of being a musketeer, something women are not allowed to be, and three girls—Viveca, Renée, and Aramina—she meets along the way. The four main girls are unique and strong in their own ways, each with captivating storylines and personalities. It’s great to see other girls besides Barbie able to take the spotlight. I also love the way this movie discusses sexism; men often belittle the girls. Even the supposed love interest, the prince, ends up being kind of a jerk and putting down Corinne’s dream. This makes the girls’ final victory all the more sweeter. A mix of humor, girl power, and incredible songs, this movie is a must-watch for girls of all ages.
- Barbie: Fairytopia
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Bibble. That’s it. That’s the review.
- Barbie And The Diamond Castle
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Hear me out. I know Barbie and The Diamond Castle seems a little low on the list, and it physically pains me to have to put it this low when this movie was such a huge part of my childhood. However, Slider, the evil dragon, kept young me up at night (search him up, then you’ll understand what I mean). The content of the movie, though, is perfection: an unbreakable female friendship, matching heart-shaped necklaces, a woman trapped in a mirror, scream-worthy songs (I’ve included one below), adorable companions (the dogs and the love interests), and a fantastical adventure to find a diamond castle. If you can endure Slider’s grotesque, swamp-green skin, glowing eyes, and frightening grin, then the movie is an absolute gem. After all, you have to pass the dragon to reach the treasure.
- Barbie as Rapunzel
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It has nothing on Disney’s Tangled. (Also, Mother Gothel and the pet ferret she wears on her shoulders are more than a little revolting.) There is, however, this little transformation sequence that I love:
- Barbie as the Island Princess
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This is a story that follows Ro, who doesn’t know her full name, nor who her family is. Shipwrecked as a child, her only tie to a forgotten life is a song. Content living out her days with her three animal friends, Ro’s world is turned upside down when a man arrives to her island on a ship, drawing her to the sea and a world she doesn’t know. Although the story is heartfelt, the romance between Ro and Prince Antonio is heart-fluttering, and the side characters, Princess Luciana, Sagi, Azul, and Talullah, are heart-warming—Tika is horrifying. There is no justification for the full set of lashes that is on that elephant. Every second of screen time she has is a jump scare. Truly. She belongs in a horror movie. I mean, just look at her:
Not to mention, Tika’s role in the movie, in preventing Ro from finding her family, makes my blood boil. With that aside, enjoy this beautiful duet between the main couple.
So, there you have it—eight Barbie movies ranked from fictional masterpieces to mildly terrifying. Writing this list has brought a wave of nostalgia and memories associated with these movies. If you’ve never seen a Barbie movie, it’s never too late to start, and hopefully, this article can be the final push that you need.