‘Barbie’ Movie ‘Shines’ With Fans – and Makes Huge Box Office Debut

Barbie weekend is here, and reviews are pouring in across social media from fans who caught early previews of the blockbuster.

Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the Warner Bros. release is attracting big audiences with its fresh take on the iconic Mattel doll.

According to The-Numbers.com, the film from director Greta Gerwig rang up a cool $22.3 million in previews — selling the most preview tickets so far this summer.

The film’s portrayal of Barbie as a dynamic and multi-dimensional character has fans praising the movie’s feminist approach.

Related: Nicki Minaj and Margot Robbie Cause Fan Frenzy at ‘Barbie’ Los Angeles Premiere

It’s the BEST DAY EVER! ? #BarbieTheMovie is NOW PLAYING only in theaters! Grab your Barbies and Kens, and cruise over to the big screen now ??: https://t.co/3WZ1okXdmF pic.twitter.com/uEHlB4tuwN

— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) July 21, 2023

Viewers flocked to social media to share their initial reactions and gave the movie props.

On Twitter, user @ArmoriaAqua wrote, “#Barbie was a really great and important movie. It’s a lot more heavy and serious than I thought it would be and it’s definitely not for little kids who won’t understand it. I know that grown men are going to review bomb it for being feminist which upsets me because it was great!”

Kathy Stephen, social media editor for Variety, raved, “#Barbie is perfection. Greta Gerwig delivers a nuanced commentary on what it means to be a woman in a whimsical, wonderful and laugh-out-loud funny romp. The entire cast shines, especially Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in roles they were clearly born to play.”

While lighthearted in nature, some viewers said Barbie has even struck an emotional chord with them.

“Cried so much watching #BarbieTheMovie,” shared writer Kenzie Vanunu. “Never has a studio film so expertly explored the burden women carry in everyday life (in any role in their lives!)”

Others were equally impressed with the film’s approach to Ken, Barbie’s iconic partner. “The #BarbieMovie is actually a ken movie bc it’s also actually about toxic masculinity, which I did not expect at all,” tweeted Polygon writer Maddy Myers.

Supporting characters, like Issa Rae’s President Barbie, also got some love on social media: “Issa Rae as Madame President Barbie was too good,” wrote another Twitter user. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Barbie is now playing in theaters nationwide.