Image credit: Barbie The Movie Facebook Page/Warner Bros Pictures
Barbie the Movie – Let’s Talk About It! And Did You Find All of These Hidden References and Easter Eggs?
As old Shrek may sayโฆ The Barbie movie is like a cinematic onion. Onions have layers. Barbie definitely has layers, and a truckload of them!
The Barbie movie has been a record breaking hit at the cinemas and is a unique concept, unlike anything else. Not for a long time has there been a movie offering so much to think about, opening up conversations, for a long time afterwards.
Greta Gerwig (Co-writer & Director) is truly a genius, and along with Margot Robbie (who starred and co-produced) the two were the driving force in making the movie an entertaining, interesting and moving spectacular. Who would have thought Mattel would be brave enough to let them push the boundaries in such a way.
Now that the Barbie movie is available to stream right from the comfort of your cosy couch, the hype has kicked up again. Some people are diving into it for the first time, while others are gearing up for a delightful re-watch (and perhaps another one after that, because, why not?!).
If youโre going in for another watch, did you ever notice just how many hidden surprises/Easter Eggs are packed into this flick?
Barbie certainly isnโt just a movie about a doll.
The Barbie movie is like a gift that keeps on giving!
Weโve listed a fair few of these hidden gems for you below, but trust us, there are more Easter Eggs in this movie than a bunnyโs treasure trove. We wonโt spill all the beans in one go; that wouldnโt be any fun!
Have a squiz at our list below and see if you caught these sneaky surprises when you first watched the film. If you didnโt, keep your eagle eyes peeled on your re-watch, and let us know any other gems you discover.
If you havenโt yet seen the movie and donโt want to spoil it, come back here once youโve seen it and see if you noticed all of these hidden goodies?
Letโs start with other movie references that have been packed into the film…
Image credit: Warner Bros Pictures
โ2001: A Space Odysseyโ
One โnot so hiddenโ movie reference is Barbieโs opening scene. In a clever twist to suit the modern age, Barbieโs journey begins with a re-imagined โDawn of Womanโ scene. This recreation pays homage to the โDawn of Manโ scene from Stanley Kubrickโs 2001: A Space Odyssey masterpiece (1968).
Instead of primates discovering tools, we watch as little girls discover the first doll to resemble an adult. They smash up their outdated baby dolls as a symbol of breaking free from traditional roles. Itโs an excellent way to show how Barbieโs debut reshaped the playtime landscape, inspiring girls to imagine themselves as more than just mothers and homemakers.
Who knew a doll could be so empowering?
Youโll also notice during this first scene that Barbie is wearing a black-and-white bathing suit with a tightly permed fringe; replicating the first ever Barbie that Mattel released in 1959.
The nods to the Wizard of Oz
The Barbie film isnโt shy about its love for The Wizard of Oz, and itโs just too much fun to miss!
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
As Stereotypical Barbie ventures to the Real World, she follows the pink road. A playful wink at the yellow brick road from Dorothyโs iconic journey of self-discovery in the Land of Oz.
In the Barbie Land movie theatre, as Barbie zips by in her pink Corvette (which youโll notice is purposely too small for her, just like the actual toys!), you can see that The Wizard of Oz is playing. Also, if you look inside the doors to the theatre, thereโs even a yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City.
Even the field of flowers scene with the tandem bicycle is a nod to Dorothyโs poppy-filled adventure, hinting at the transformative moments that await Barbie in her own self-discovery journey.
Greta Gerwig herself mentioned how The Wizard of Oz influenced Barbie Landโs dazzling aesthetic, capturing that โauthentically artificialโ vibe from classic Hollywood magic and glamorous backdrops of old musicals.
The Matrix
When Stereotypical Barbie seeks a solution to her malfunctions, she visits Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), the oracle of plastic wisdom.
In a very clear play on The Matrixโs iconic red pill-blue pill scene, but with shoes. Weird Barbie lays out the ultimate choice โ a pink high heel (stay in Barbie Land and continue to become weirder) or a Birkenstock (search the Real World for the child influencing her malfunctions).
The Truman Show
If you noticed that Barbie Land looks slightly similar to The Truman Showโs TV town, youโd be right! Greta Gerwig met with Peter Weir (the director of The Truman Show), to get insider tips on capturing the magic of the artificial sets.
Another comparison to The Truman Show โ just like Truman Burbank, Barbie is eager to break free from the confines of Barbie Land, to find her truth in the Real World.
Clueless
Barbieโs beautiful wardrobe took inspiration from Cherโs closet in the 1995 movie, Clueless. Barbie just gets the added benefit of magic as she just has to spin to put on her outfit of the day. Once dressed, her outfit for the next day automatically appears.
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Saturday Night Fever
During the beginning of the movie, Barbie throws a dance party. Itโs the perfect blow-out bash that unfolds to a dazzling dance-fest, which is a tribute to John Travolta and the legendary scene from Saturday Night Fever (1977) โ even down to the costuming.
Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus
Eagle-eyed Barbie fans may have spotted a Pegasus statue along the coast during one of the Barbie Land beach scenes. This beautiful winged horse statue is a nod to the 2005 Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus animated film.
Psycho
Weird Barbieโs equally weird house actually pays homage to the Bates house from Alfred Hitchcockโs classic horror masterpiece, Psycho!
This little tid-bit of information was revealed by Barbie production designer, Sarah Greenwood.
It may seem like an odd pairing, but the shared DNA is undeniable, especially in the front stairs leading to the door of Weird Barbieโs home.
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Midnight Cowboy
When Barbie and Ken find their cowboy outfits in Venice Beach, itโs like a scene from the 1969 Midnight Cowboy movie.
Greta Gerwig noted that she wanted the dynamic duo to capture that same โlost in the big cityโ vibe that Jon Voightโs Midnight Cowboy character has when he hits the streets of New York City in the film.
Top Gun
As the Kens take over Barbie Land, they play volleyball on the beach โ a scene that was inspired by the famous beach volleyball game in Top Gun.
It doesnโt stop there. The triumphant high five exchange between the Kens is also an imitation of the one we witnessed between Maverick and Goose in Top Gun.
Singinโ in the Rain
When Ken steps into the limelight, belting out โIโm just Kenโ and launching into a show-stopping dance extravaganza during the war of the Kens, the set, the costumes, and the sheer audacity have a striking resemblance to the dream ballet from the classic โSinginโ in the Rainโ (1952).
According to Gerwig, this is just one example of how Gene Kellyโs filmography influenced the Barbie movie. Itโs also another example of how Barbie embraces the past while stepping stylishly into the future.
Grease
When Ken (the dashing Ryan Gosling) struts into his bro era, with his โIโm just Kenโ montage, itโs practically bursting with cheeky references. And, letโs be real, what could be more classic than adding a dash of John Travolta? You guessed it โ the iconic โGrease Lightningโ scene, where Travolta and his crew rock those snug black tees while belting out a tune that still gets our engines revving!
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
The Godfather
In the โKen-domโ, Issa Raeโs President Barbie uses The Godfather movie as her secret weapon to distract Simu Liuโs Ken while another Barbie is stolen away and reprogrammed back to normal.
President Barbie mispronounces the filmโs name with a perfectly wrong emphasis to come across as ditsy.
The result? A mesmerising distraction that lures Simu Liuโs Ken into passionately โken-splainingโ the cinematic classic The Godfather, hoping to impress her.
The Shining
When Barbie discovers that her tether is with Gloria (America Ferrera). Barbie and Gloria start seeing the same memory montage at the same time.
Gloriaโs daughter, Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), pops up and asks if the two are โshiningโ. โAre you guys shining? Are you two shining right now?โ she asks. A clear nod to the chilling ability from Stephen Kingโs spine tingling masterpiece (and Stanley Kubrickโs 1980 film adaptation) The Shining.
It did make us wonder what a horror version of the Barbie movie might be like!
Gotta Kick It Up!
Barbie sneaks in a shout-out to one of America Ferreraโs early gems โ the Disney Channel classic โGotta Kick It Up!โ
Gloriaโs husband (played by her real-life husband Ryan Piers Williams) says โSรญ se puede.” The Spanish phrase that translates to โYes, it can be doneโ, was repeated in 2002 โGotta Kick It Upโ by Ferrera and her friends as the motto they used to inspire one another.
Gotta Kick it Up! Image Credit: Rotten Tomatoes
There are many other movie references that can be found in the Barbie movie, but we thought weโd leave some for you to find on your re-watch!
Did You Notice These Other Fun Easter Eggs Found in the Barbie movie?…
Sylvester Stallone
It appears that Ken takes inspiration from none other than 80โs-era Sylvester Stallone! It seems the Rocky star is the representation of โmanly menโ in the Ken-dom.
When Ken visits the Real World, he discovers a thing or two about patriarchal power. While Ken is exploring LA on his own, Stalloneโs presence is first felt in a gym where those legendary posters of Stalloneโs Rocky alter-ego line the gym walls.
Ken then sees multiple screens which are all showing a montage of masculinity throughout the years, where Stallone is seen in fur coats. So, who better for Ken to replicate his macho might on than Stallone himself?
Suave Ken steps back into Barbie Land sporting that Stallone swagger โ fur coat and all. Ken is also seen wearing boxing gloves at one point when he arrives back to Barbie Land. And, his recent obsession with horses as a sign of masculinity โ well, the real Stallone also loves horses and it could be connected this Rockyโs nickname, โThe Italian Stallionโ!
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures/Getty
Barbieโs Car Odometer
If you look closely in Barbieโs car, you might notice that the odometer reads โ030959.โ The first Barbie toy was launched on March 9, 1959.
Kenโs name in the Real World is โand Kenโ
In the Real World, Barbie and Ken get arrested. Did you notice Kenโs mugshot board reads โand Kenโ?
Ken may very well believe thatโs his real name considering heโs always referenced in the duo as โBarbie and Kenโ.
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Barbie Sets and Scenes
Did you know that CGI wasnโt used for the travel scenes between Barbie Land and the Real World? They built each form of transport and the actors sat in them with the scenery around them all created as well, old school style.
BAX
The name of the airport in Barbie Land is BAX, inspired by LAโs airport, LAX.
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
The Creation of Adam
Apparently, this is actually Margot Robbieโs favourite Easter egg in the Barbie Movie. In a small kitchen within the Mattel HQ, Barbie meets her creator, Ruth Handler.
Ruth hands Barbie a cup of tea and their hands touch like Michelangeloโs โThe Creation of Adamโ โ imitating the moment when God gives life to the first man.
Bratz Dolls
In the Real World, Barbie goes to a high school and comes across teenager Sasha and her friends. Is it just a strange coincidence that Sasha shares a name with one of Barbieโs long-time rivals of the original Bratz dolls? Sashaโs group of friends also seem to resemble the other original Bratz dolls โ Cloe, Jade, and Yasmin.
Sashaโs mum, Gloria, also calls Sasha โBunny booโ โ which was the Sasha Bratz Dollโs nickname too!
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Ruth Handlerโs Tax Scandal
The movie doesnโt linger too long on the life story of Ruth Handler, the mastermind behind the Barbie doll, but it does give a sly wink to a certain financial hiccup of Ruthโs.
After multiple allegations of fraud, Ruth resigned as Mattelโs President in 1974. In 1978, she was charged with fraud and false reporting.
In the Barbie movie, Ruth (played by Rhea Perlman) playfully lets slip the financial fiasco that had everyone raising their eyebrows. Itโs a light-hearted jab at real-life events, to show that no one is perfect (as per the movieโs themes).
The Older Woman Barbie Meets in the Real World
In the Real World, thereโs a touching scene when Barbie meets an older woman and tells her she looks beautiful.
This older woman is actually costume designer and 2 x Oscar winner Ann Roth. In 1996 she won an Oscar for Best Costume Design for The English Patient and in 2020, won Best Costume Design again for Ma Raineyโs Black Bottom.
Tanner, the Pooping Pup
At Weird Barbieโs house we meet Tanner the pooping pup, who drops poops as he walks across the room.
Tanner was an actual real toy made by Mattel. The toy Tanner also had the ability to eat and drop poops. He even came with his own pooper scooper!
Sadly, Tanner was recalled in 2007.
Image Credit: Mattel
Nearly Every Doll in the Film was Sold by Mattel
The one exception is Weird Barbie โ but, come on, I think we can admit that all of us probably owned at least one โWeird Barbieโ growing up?
Every other doll seen in the movie was made for sale at one point or another.
Pregnant Midge โ She was released and quickly discontinued in the 70โs for being โtoo weirdโ and for โpromoting teen pregnancy.โ
Allan โ Kenโs buddy Allen (brilliantly played by Michael Cera), whoโs main selling point was that all of Kens clothes and accessories could fit him. Allan was released and discontinued in the 60โs also. In the Barbie movie, Allan wears the same outfit as the original Allan doll wore when he was created.
Image Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Growing Up Skipper โ Poor Growing Up Skipper was created in 1975, released as a version of Barbieโs younger sister. Skipper had a special skill โ she could grow a larger bust when you rotated her left arm! It was meant to be an interpretation of growing up and puberty, that didnโt go down too well! Needless to say, Skipper didn’t last long!
Video Girl Barbie โ She donned a small video camera in her necklace and a video screen on her back, as a way to โfilm Barbieโs point of view.โ However, she was pulled off the shelves after a warning from the FBI.
Teen Talk Barbie โ in 1992 Teen Talk Barbie hit the shelves, and she said a controversial phrase โmath class is tough.โ Mattel admitted this phrase shouldnโt have been included after womenโs groups criticised the doll.
Earring Magic Ken โ Mattel tried to make Ken โcoolโ again in the 90โs and dressed him in a mesh shirt, faux leather vest, an earring, and a strange necklace that was probably his downfall! Weโre not going to go into the necklace, but Earring Magic Ken was soon unofficially named โGay Kenโ.
Sadly, this didnโt sit well with homophobic customers of Barbieโs, and Earring Magic Ken was pulled from the shelves after only being โaliveโ for six months!
Sugar Daddy Ken โ ummmโฆ.that was seriously his real name! Seriously. But apparently this was his name because he came with a West Highland Terrier named Sugar. So, heโs really just โSugarโs daddy.โ
Sugar Daddy Ken was released in 2009 to mark Barbieโs 50th anniversary. Surprisingly, he didnโt hang around for long. But we just canโt figure out why?!
There are many other Barbie Easter Eggโs to uncover. Which ones have you noticed?
Oh, and to finish off, weโve decided to add Gloriaโs (America Ferrera) monologue from the movie:
Image Credit: Barbie the Movie FB page
Weโre sure itโs an inspiration to all women to know that we truly are โKenough!โ
โIt is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you donโt think youโre good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow weโre always doing it wrong.
You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you canโt ask for money because thatโs crass. You have to be a boss, but you canโt be mean. You have to lead, but you canโt squash other peopleโs ideas. Youโre supposed to love being a mother, but donโt talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for menโs bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, youโre accused of complaining.
Youโre supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because youโre supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. Itโs too hard! Itโs too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.
Iโm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I donโt even know.โ
– America Ferrera as Gloria in ‘Barbie’
Barbie is Warner Bros’ Highest-grossing Movie of All Time
It certainly seems like ‘life in plastic, is fantastic’ in a Barbie world! The Barbie movie has broken a major global box office record by becoming Warner Bros’ highest-grossing film of all time globally, and the highest-grossing movie of 2023. After only two weeks in theatres, Barbie beat the $1 billion USD milestone at the worldwide box office.
In the weeks since, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie gross has continued to rise and has now made over $1.342 billion USD – beating the previous record of 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
Barbie is currently sitting as the 11th highest-grossing movie of all time, surpassing even the first Avengers movie (and she continues to rise!).
Greta Gerwig’s pink unicorn has made her the first woman to independently Direct a billion dollar movie. Barbie has also made producer and star, Margot Robbie, the highest paid female-actor of 2022. Margot made a cool $12.5 million upfront for the Barbie. But it also seems that she stands to make an additional approx. $50 million in salary and box office bonuses! Wowzers.
Apparently, Margot still has a ways to go to be paid the highest Hollywood payday of all-time. Old mate, Tom Cruise currently holds that wee title. He reportedly received over $100 million following the success of 2022’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick,” which made around $1.5 billion at the box office.
Well done to all involved in the brilliantly fantastic film that is Barbie.
Review by Brooke Hendry
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently.
Image Source: See images
SUBSCRIBE
Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!
