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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Barbie (2023 film)

Barbie is a 2023 live-action satirical fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig and based on Mattel’s Barbie dolls.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Barbie is a 2023 live-action satirical fantasy comedy directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as they leave Barbie Land for the real world.

What it is

The first live-action Barbie feature film, it follows Barbie and Ken as they journey from a seemingly perfect Barbie Land into the human world. The story uses comedy and fantasy to explore identity, gender roles, and self-discovery.

Key details

Directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach, the film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, with a large ensemble cast including America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, and Helen Mirren. It is rated PG-13, runs 1 hour 54 minutes, and premiered in theaters on July 21, 2023.

Why it matters

Barbie became a major box office success and received multiple Oscar nominations. It is noted for its satirical take on the Barbie brand, addressing gender expectations and self-image, and is relevant to Canadian audiences as a major Hollywood release that played in Canadian cinemas and later streamed in North America.

In short

  • First live-action Barbie film, directed by Greta Gerwig.
  • Stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken.
  • Explores gender roles, identity, and self-discovery through satire.
  • Rated PG-13, runtime 114 minutes, released July 21, 2023.
Canadian angle

Barbie is relevant to Canadian audiences as a major Hollywood release that played in Canadian cinemas and later became available through streaming in North America, including Canada depending on local platform rights.

Quick questions

Who is in the Barbie movie?
The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, with supporting roles by America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Helen Mirren, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, and Dua Lipa.
Who directed Barbie?
Greta Gerwig directed Barbie.
Is Barbie movie appropriate for kids?
The film is rated PG-13, so it is generally intended for teenagers and older viewers rather than very young children.

Sources

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/
    Supports: Rating, runtime, and plot description
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_(film)
    Supports: Director, writers, live-action status, and plot overview
  3. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/barbie-netflix-date-cast-details
    Supports: Streaming availability in the United States and cast details
  4. People — https://www.people.com/barbie-cast-everything-to-know-7509829
    Supports: Cast list and director
  5. Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/barbie-movie-cast-rating-release-plot-trailer-soundtrack-2023-5
    Supports: Plot, rating, and release date
  6. Collider — https://www.collider.com/barbie-cast-and-character-guide-margot-robbie-ryan-gosling-greta-gerwig/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, director, and plot summary