LOS ANGELES – Barbie is headed back to the big screen, this time in animated form, as Mattel Studios teams up with Illumination to produce the first-ever theatrical animated Barbie film. The announcement follows the massive global success of the 2023 live-action adaptation, which became a cultural and box office phenomenon.
The upcoming project marks a new chapter for the franchise, which has previously only released animated Barbie films through direct-to-video and digital platforms. With Illumination — the studio behind hits like Despicable Me and The Super Mario Bros. Movie — on board, expectations are high for a visually rich and family-friendly feature.
Although specific plot details and casting have yet to be revealed, the film will be distributed by Universal Pictures. The partnership signals a strategic move by Mattel to expand Barbie’s presence in cinematic storytelling, with a broader slate of toy-based movies also in development.
This initiative is part of Mattel’s growing effort to capitalise on its intellectual properties by translating popular toys into entertainment franchises. The upcoming Barbie animated film is expected to blend humour, adventure, and visual spectacle, aiming to captivate both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
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