More than a year later BarbieWith the record-breaking theatrical release, Netflix has added the highest-grossing film of 2023 to its library, where it sits among many other similar films. The fantasy comedy, directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, is the first live-action film based on Mattel's Barbie dolls. Barbie stars Margot Robbie as the titular character, who travels from Barbieland to the real world after starting to lose all the qualities that make her a “perfect” doll. The film was a tremendous success, both financially and critically, resulting in Gerwig and Baumbach developing a Barbie sequence (for The Hollywood Reporter).
Until Gerwig's account Barbie sequel premieres, fans of the first film can check out related films on Netflix (after rewatching Barbie as many times as their hearts desire, of course). While the fantasy comedy is undoubtedly unique, some other great films contain similar themes, stories, tones, etc. They may not be Barbiebut they're all fun and heartfelt in their own right.
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Crossroads
Directed by: Tamra Davis
Perhaps Crossroads is not the first film that comes to mind when I think of BarbieBut the two films are very similar. Both are run by women andthemes of female empowerment, friendship and self-discovery. In CrossroadsThree teenagers go on a cross-country road trip after high school graduation, and the three estranged friends go on the journey for different reasons. Meanwhile, in Greta Gerwig's film, Barbie is also on a journey of self-discovery.
More, Crossroads has a talented, star-studded cast that elevates the story, similar to BarbieIt's cast. Britney Spears, Zoe Saldaña and Taryn Manning play the three aforementioned best friends, with Crossroads serving as Spears' film debut (and her last leading role). Other cast members include Anson Mount, Kim Cattrall, Dan Aykroyd, Justin Long, Beverly Johnson and Jamie Lynn Spears.
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Ella Enchanted
Directed by: Tommy O'Haver
For those who wish a little romance alongside feminist themes and catchy songs, look no further than Ella Enchanted. The 2004 jukebox musical fantasy comedy film stars Anne Hathaway as Ella, a woman from the kingdom of Lamia who is cursed to be obedient (meaning she has to do whatever anyone tells her). All her life, Ella had to obey everyone. However, her life begins to change after meeting Hugh Dancy's Prince Char.
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Ella Enchanted Cast |
Paper |
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Anne Hathaway |
She from Frell |
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Hugh Dancy |
Prince "Char" Charmont |
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Cary Elwes |
Mr Edgar |
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Steve Coogan |
Heston (voice) |
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Eric Idle |
The Narrator |
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Aidan McArdle |
Slannen |
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Minnie Driver |
Mandy |
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Vivica A. Fox |
Lucinda Perriweather |
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Joanna Lumley |
Lady Olga |
Ella becomes the heroine of her own story in this fairytale satire, similar to Barbie in Barbie. In fact, Hathaway's character is a far cry from a damsel in distress. Ella Enchanted It's absurd, funny, whimsical, and musical, but it's also quite inspirational, making it the perfect film to accompany Greta Gerwig's 2023 fantasy comedy.
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Moxie
Directed by: Amy Poehler
Many Netflix original movies also make great matching watches Barbieas Moxie. Amy Poehler's 2021 dramedy follows a teenage girl who takes inspiration from her mother (played by Poehler) to start a feminist zine (called "Moxie") at your school. She wants to empower young women, like herself, and call out the rampant sexism they all face every day. The movement causes an uproar at school and changes students and teachers forever.
On the surface, it's easy to see how Moxie and Barbie are the same. Both have feminist themes, emphasize the power of sisterhood, and feature the main character undergoing some dramatic (but necessary) soul-searching. It's hard not to feel inspired after watching Moxie and Barbie, It doesn't matter what gender the viewer identifies with, which is why they complement each other so well.
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Someone great
Directed by: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Another great movie (pun not intended) to watch alongside Barbie and Someone great. The 2019 Netflix romantic comedy stars Gina Rodriguez as Jenny, a young woman who has just gotten out of a long-term relationship and is moving from New York to San Francisco, where she has been offered her dream job at Rolling Stone. After her boyfriend breaks up with her, Jenny and her friends (Brittany Snow's Blair and DeWanda Wise's Erin) have one last hurray in town, to mend Jenny's broken heart and give her a proper send-off before leaving for the West Coast.
Like Margot Robbie's character in Barbie, Jenny is discouraged and desperately needs women's empowerment in Someone great. While the Netflix original film does include some romance (it is a romantic comedy, after all), it primarily focuses on the three women at the center of the story and their journeys. So, although Someone great presents love stories, the film is not about romance; it's about women going through radical changes and learning how to deal with it (similar to Barbie).
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Based on sex
Directed by: Mimi Leder
Women run the government in Barbie. However, in the real world, politics is very different and tends to favor male candidates. One of the first women to break this barrier, however, was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is at the center of the story in the 2018 biopic. Based on sex. Ginsburg was a lawyer who became the second woman to serve as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court when President Bill Clinton nominated her in 1993. She held the position until his death in 2020.
Based on sex stars Felicity Jones as Ginsburg and follows the early days of her career. The film chronicles the struggles Ginsburg faced as a woman in the legal world and how his persistence and passion resulted in him obtaining a seat on the United States Supreme Court. While Based on sex is certainly darker and more dramatic than BarbieGinsburg's quests and struggles are as inspiring as Barbie's triumphs.
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The six triple eight
Directed by: Tyler Perry
The six triple eight premiered on Netflix in December 2024 and quickly started trending on the streaming platform. Tyler Perry's biographical war drama is based on Kevin M. Hymel's 2019 film History of the Second World War article "Fighting a war on two fronts" and revolves around the 6888th Battalion of the Central Postal Directorate, an all-black, all-female battalion serving during World War II. While certainly different in tone, cinematography, and plot, The six triple eight contains themes that can also be seen in Barbie.
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The cast of The six triple eight |
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Character |
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Kerry Washington |
Great Adams Charity |
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Ebony Obsidian |
Lena Derriecott King |
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Milauna Jackson |
Captain Abbie Noel Campbell |
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Kylie Jefferson |
Berenice Baker |
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Shanice Shantay |
Johnny Mae Burton |
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Pepi Sonuga |
Elaine White |
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Sarah Jeffery |
Dolores Washington |
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Dean Norris |
General Stop |
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Susan Sarandon |
Leonor Roosevelt |
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Gregg Sulkin |
Abram David |
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Barbie and The six triple eight address sexism and the obstacles women face. However, this last film also discusses racism, as the members of the 6888th Battalion of the Central Postal Directorate had to face both. As a result, The six triple eight it arguably has more serious connotations (and is more rooted in reality), but it's more than worth watching afterwards Barbie.
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Easy A
Directed by: Will Gluck
Easy Athe tone is more similar BarbieIt's funny, colorful, witty, and multi-layered. The 2010 rom-com also features a painfully misunderstood character (similar to Margot Robbie's Barbie) - Olive Penderghast by Emma Stone. Olive is a teenager who is ridiculed at school after a rumor spreads about her having sex. So, she decides to embrace her new brand and sews a red “A” on her clothes (an homage to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel). The Scarlet Letter).
Easy A chronicles what it's like to be a teenager in high school who everyone judges for having sex (even though Olive technically hasn't), while the boys receive praise for doing the same thing. About that, Barbie it's about how patriarchy hurts everyone. Then, Barbiethe message of apparently goes hand in hand with Easy Aand, with the 2010 romantic comedy focusing on a specific example of the 2023 fantasy comedy theme.
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Take revenge
Directed by: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Take revenge is the second film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (after Someone great). Just like his first film, The 2022 teen black comedy is about female friendships (with a twist). Take revenge stars Camila Mendes as Drea and Maya Hawke as Eleanor, two teenagers who help each other get revenge on someone who hurt them. Drea is mad at her ex-boyfriend for sharing a scandalous video of her. Meanwhile, Eleanor is furious about the rumor that she forcibly kissed another girl (Carissa) at summer camp a few years ago, which resulted in Eleanor becoming a social outcast.
In the center of Take revengeThe story of is the complicated friendship between Drea and Eleanor, linking it to other films that promote women's empowerment (such as Barbie).
Take revenge pays homage to classic teen films (as Heathers and Mean Girls), although it contains many elements that make it unique. However, as mentioned above, in the center of Take revengeThe story of is the complicated friendship between Drea and Eleanor, linking it to other films that promote women's empowerment (such as Barbie).
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, War History Network