5 movies to watch before Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ release

Since 2001, Mattel has produced films about the iconic Barbie doll as either traditional fairytale characters or as someone living in the present day and going on an adventure. The upcoming "Barbie" movie is a star-studded spectacle, and one of the highly anticipated movies of 2023.

From the trailer, we can already make our guesses that this Greta Gerwig directed film will be an existential drama with the backdrop of a color-saturated set where our childhood's beloved dolls will come to life. We have curated 5 films which evidently has parallels to the new "Barbie" movie so watching them would paint a clearer picture of what inspired and influenced it.

Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004)

"Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper" was way ahead of its time which attests to it being one of the most popular movies from the animated collection of Barbie movies. The plot is based loosely on the story by Mark Twain, and features two female leads with one of them as a princess and the other as a poor village girl. The two feisty Barbies come from two opposite ends of the social class spectrum but when their paths cross, they're forced to overcome a series of unfortunate events to save each other. There are 7 original songs, all of which are amazing and memorable. This was the first movie to mention how identical Barbie dolls appear to be. The focus of the new Barbie is on contemporary Barbies with a range of sizes and skin tones.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Gerwig has mentioned that she tried to emulate the extravagant settings and incredible soundtrack in "The Wizard of Oz." The authentic fantasy of the movie transports you into a colorful and whimsical land where dreams and magic intertwine. Dorothy is an invincible child heroine whose quest to find her way back home introduces her to a diverse group of delightful and peculiar people. Each character adds their own special traits and eccentricities, which help to weave this timeless story's beautiful tapestry. Like Dorothy travels down the iconic yellow brick road, Barbie is set to have her venture down a pink road.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

It's hard to resist the hopeless romanticism and surreal set design of this film which served as an inspiration for dozens of musicals. Greta Gerwig drew inspiration from the entrancing ambiance of Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and "The Young Girls of Rochefort" for the "Barbie" movie. The former is an effervescent musical about the possibility as well as the tragedy of passionate love and has an abundance of hypnotic color schemes.

The two movies have a juxtaposition of candy-coated dreamland and somberness, which provides more proof that "Barbie" might be a musical with an unsettling side. A character in Rocherfort - Maxence – is strikingly similar to Ken as he has bright blonde hair and remains obsessed with one blonde woman.

The Truman Show (1998)

"The Truman Show" by Peter Weir is unquestionably an intriguing film to watch for reference points as Barbie is set to be Truman - someone who is unaware that their hometown is a set made of plastic created to keep them in it - in her universe. With its existential focus on what it means to be human, Weir's psychological comedy-drama departs from Barbie movies typical themes of romance and melody. "Barbie" might emulate the titular character in "The Truman Show" as he or she learns about himself and journeys through this world of pastel hues in search of the truth.

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Barbie of Swan Lake (2003)
An animated Barbie rewatch from the 2000s is the perfect throwback to magical times in the candy-coated land. "Barbie of Swan Lake" is based on the Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake. It follows Barbie as she lives a simple life as the daughter of a baker until she discovers a unicorn and an enchanting woodland. Barbie battles a wicked magician and plucks up the courage to find true love.