It’s officially a Barbie world.
US director Greta Gerwig’s box office smash, based on the beloved Mattel doll, has become Warner Bros’ highest-grossing film of all time globally, dethroning 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (not adjusted for inflation).
Barbie, starring Australian actress Margot Robbie, was released last month, and managed to tick over the coveted $US1 billion milestone at the worldwide box office after just two weeks in theatres.
Its gross has continued to increase in the weeks since, and as of Monday, US time, it tipped over $US1.342 billion, which is what the final Harry Potter film generated after finishing its cinema run.
Barbie still has at least another month left in theatres, as it slowly climbs the list of highest-grossing films from all studios.
It currently sits behind Black Panther among the list of top-grossing films of all time, with the Marvel superhero flick in 16th place at $US1.349 billion.
Then, Barbie has serious potential to topple this year’s Super Mario Bros. Movie ($US1.359b), Avengers: Age of Ultron ($US1.405b), Frozen II ($US1.453b) and, potentially, Top Gun: Maverick, which made $US1.495b.
It’s difficult to speculate where Barbie could fare on the all-time list, but if it continues on its trajectory, it could potentially dance its way into the top 10.
It comes after it was revealed Robbie, 32, stands to make her highest salary yet for her efforts bringing Barbie to the big screen.
The two-time Oscar nominee reportedly made an upfront fee of $US13.5 million to portray the Mattel doll.
But according to Variety, that figure will boost to around $US50 million – potentially more – thanks to lucrative box office bonuses.
Robbie was instrumental in bringing Barbie to life, with her production company LuckyChap Entertainment buying the rights from Mattel back in 2018.
She later pitched the film to Warner Bros. and managed to convince Gerwig to write and direct.
Speaking of her commitment to making Barbie happen, Robbie recently said she was “overselling” the project in early meetings with executives.
“I think my pitch in the green-light meeting was the studios have prospered so much when they’re brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director,” Robbie said in an interview with Collider in July.