The feminism, the outfits, the P-I-N-K. Everything about Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie was so undeniably iconic that it feels impossible to shake—and impossible to stop watching.
If you found yourself mesmerized by the movie's magic, you're in no way alone. Everyone and their mother is dressing up in their favorite Barbie outfits and heading back to the theatres for the umpteenth time. Barbie not only broke the opening weekend record for 2023 but also completely obliterated the first-weekend record for a female-directed film (yay, Greta!).
While the whimsy and downright girliness of it all may have prompted your first ticket purchase, the deeper message about what it means to be a woman in today's world is what resonated with many viewers. For decades, we put Barbie in a silly and superficial box. And we could not have been more wrong.
"The kind of amazing thing is that Barbie went to the moon before women had the ability to get credit cards," Gerwig told The Guardian in an interview before the movie's release. "That's crazy. She was always a kind of step ahead."
The collective chokehold this film has us in likely isn't ending anytime soon. But if you're looking to channel more of that energy, check out these seven movies that inspire, entertain, and encourage a similar message.
Lady Bird (2017)
IAC Films
Who's in it: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, and Timothèe Chalamet
Where to stream: Kanopy, Paramount+, and Showtime
Itching for more of Gerwig's genius? Look no further than her Oscar-nominated film, Lady Bird. Starring Saoirse Ronan, this movie follows a high school senior as she navigates the pressures of growing up in a conservative Sacramento suburb while also developing her own identity. While it may not have the feminine flair of Barbie, this coming-of-age tale paints a unique portrait of modern female identity—one that is both hilarious and heartfelt.
Little Women (2019)
Wilson Webb
Who's in it: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Timothèe Chalamet, and Tracy Letts
Where to stream: STARZ
Gerwig's directorial resume may not be long, but it's certainly mighty. Following Lady Bird in 2019 was her adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, Little Women. With a star-studded cast and the best reviews anyone could ask for, this Oscar-winner is about as timeless as they come. It follows four sisters as they grow up together during the American Civil War and examines the changing dynamics of their relationships in a time when femininity was not the most celebrated thing.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Tracy Bennett/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
Who's in it: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, and Jennifer Coolidge
Where to stream: Prime Video
Looking for more pink and frills? Elle Woods (Witherspoon) is your girl. After her college boyfriend dumps her for not being "serious" enough, this sorority queen enrolls at Harvard Law School to prove that she's more than just a pretty face. This classic rom-com is as clever as they come, and its message about owning who you are—especially when the odds are stacked against you—is just as relevant today.
Birds of Prey (2020)
DC Entertainment
Who's in it: Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Ewan McGregor
Where to stream: Max
There's no arguing that Margot Robbie was born to play Barbie. But her range is absolute, and nothing is more evident of that than her portrayal of Harley Quinn in DC's Birds of Prey. In this thrilling and all-too-real action flick, Quinn joins forces with three other notorious female villains to protect a young girl from Gotham City's underworld. It'll have you on the edge of your seat and makes a powerful statement about female friendship, resilience, and taking control.
Clueless (1995)
Paramount
Who's in it: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, and Paul Rudd
Where to stream: Paramount+
If you were all about the fashion in Barbie, then you're going to have a ball with Clueless. This '90s classic follows the story of socially successful teen Cher Horowitz (Silverstone) as she sets up her teachers, gives a struggling student a makeover—and questions the entirety of her existence. Sound like any Barbie, er, anyone you know?
13 Going on 30 (2004)
Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Who's in it: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer
Where to stream: Max
Barbie's (Robbie) initial enchantment with the "real world" was eerily similar to that of 13 Going On 30's Jenna Rink (Garner). When the unpopular girl wakes up one morning to find out she's jumped ahead 17 years into the future, she realizes that adult life isn't quite what she expected. With plenty of humor and heart, this movie is an all-time favorite for a reason.
Life-Size (2000)
Disney
Who's in it: Tyra Banks, Lindsay Lohan, and Jere Burns
Where to stream: Unclear
Barbie was not the first doll to come to life. In 2000, Tyra Banks starred in the Disney Channel original movie Life Size as a doll that is transformed into a real woman thanks to a magical spell cast by Lindsay Lohan. The doll, named Eve, befriends the girl who transformed her and helps her stop avoiding the grief of losing her mother so she can embrace life once again.
