The New York TimesThe New York Times

Mattel's windfall from 'Barbie'

By James B. Stewart

07 Sep 2023 · 8 min read

informed Summary

  1. The Barbie film, produced by Mattel and Warner Bros, is close to grossing $1.4 billion and has become the top-grossing Warner Bros film of all time, surpassing one of the Harry Potter movies. It could potentially reach the $2 billion mark.

When Ynon Kreiz arrived at Mattel in April 2018, the newly installed CEO had one mantra when it came to a feature film starring Barbie, a project he really wanted to get off the ground: He didn’t care if the movie sold a single additional doll.

But “Barbie” the film had to be good and a cultural event. It had to be different. It had to break molds.

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