On 21st July, the highly anticipated movie “Barbie” hit the screens, coinciding with the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, and it received an overwhelming response from audiences worldwide.
The movie proved to be a resounding success, grossing over $500 million in global sales during its first week, as reported by Bloomberg. It set multiple records for its star-studded cast and Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., continuing its streak of breaking records since its massive opening weekend.
As a comedy centered around Mattel Inc.’s iconic doll, “Barbie” achieved the distinction of being the biggest opening for a movie based on a toy and marked Warner Bros.’s best seven-day opening ever. It also set three single-day highs on its way to reaching the impressive milestone of $529 million in sales in its debut week. The film’s popularity was not limited to the United States, as it earned a remarkable $291 million from international markets, representing more than half of its total box office earnings. Notably, “Barbie” set the record for the largest Warner Bros. opening weekend in 24 international markets, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Moreover, it became the best opening week for a movie in Australia and New Zealand in the current year.
The success of “Barbie” not only delighted moviegoers but also had a significant impact on the company behind the iconic doll. Mattel’s shares rose by more than a third from their recent low in March, as the company looked to capitalize on the movie’s success. The toymaker is already exploring the possibility of a sequel and has plans to turn more of its renowned brands, such as Hot Wheels and Barney, into major Hollywood franchises.
Outside of her engagement with the film world, Nobel Prize-winning education activist Malala Yousafzai has recently raised her voice against the Taliban’s actions in Afghanistan, particularly the reversal of women’s rights to education, as reported by Khaama Press. Speaking at the United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria, Malala highlighted the stark contrast in the education landscape in Afghanistan from a decade ago. She stated, “Ten years ago, millions of Afghan girls were going to school, and one in three young women were enrolled in university. And now? Afghanistan is the only country in the world to ban girls and women from seeking education.”
This Barbie has a Nobel Prize 💖 He’s just Ken pic.twitter.com/Ljbqdfpgfd
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) July 30, 2023
Malala herself experienced the brutality of the Taliban in 2012 when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for advocating for girls’ education. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed, “I was shot and nearly killed for speaking out against these injustices. I did not know if my first speech at the UN would be my last, my only chance to ask the world to send every girl to school.” Her unwavering determination and advocacy for girls’ education continue to inspire millions worldwide.