Mattel created the most iconic toy and brand to ever exist, Barbie. Barbie is a very well-known staple in most of our childhoods, whether you grew up with toys, books, movies, or costumes. With catchy soundtracks, strong female leads, and a comedic cast of recurring characters, there are over 40 Barbie movies and everyone has an opinion on them, including us. We are going to review and rate the top-rated Barbie movies on IMDB. Spoilers ahead!
1. As The Princess And The Pauper (2004)
IMDB Rating: 6.9 - Personal rating: 7/10
In this adaptation of Mark Twain’s, “The Prince and the Pauper,” Annalise is a princess in S.T.E.M. who looks eerily similar to a seamstress in the village named Erika. When Preminger, who is arguably one of the best villains in Barbie, kidnaps Annalise, Erika disguises herself as the princess in an attempt to save her. As a kid, the constant series of conflicts were off-putting and frustrating. Annalise got kidnapped by Preminger’s empty-headed sidekicks but eventually escaped. However, she was denied entry to the castle because Erika had disguised herself as the princess. She tried seeking refuge but ended up being imprisoned again. When the never-ending series of conflicts get resolved, we are left with a satisfying and clean conclusion. Now that I’m not 5 years old and can tolerate dark themes, I understand the hype. This movie is a cult favorite for a reason and still holds up after 13 years.
2. Barbie In The 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
IMDB Rating: 6.8 - Personal rating: 8/10
Princess Genevieve has 11 sisters, all unique, eccentric, and have a passion for dancing. King Rudolph is worried about his daughters being perceived as unladylike so he invites Duchess Rowena for assistance. However, her teaching methods are cruel, rigorous, and restrictive. Dancing is now forbidden. To cope, the princesses discover a magical kingdom from a fairytale their deceased mother once told them about. They dance without having to worry about their miserable life. Duchess Rowena is poisoning King Rudolph but when his children warn him, he’s in denial. The conflict could’ve been easily resolved if he wasn’t so dense. I remember this movie being enchanting, idyllic, and mesmerizing. A whimsical and stunning soundtrack that has haunted me for years.
3. Barbie And The Magic Of Pegasus 3-D (2005)
IMDB Rating: 6.5 - Personal rating: 7/10
Barbie And The Magic of Pegasus was a classic hit with most viewers. I loved the heroic storyline where Princess Anika (Barbie) saves her family from a Warlock who turned her family to stone. As well as the amazing cast of characters who help Princess Anika throughout her journey. The graphics were extraordinary and for some probably the start of their love for crystals. This movie greatly showed the meaning of being a hero and the importance of family.
4. Barbie As The Island Princess (2007)
IMDB Rating: 6.5 - Personal rating: 7/10
The Island Princess represented a classic princess fairytale very well. It includes talking animals, music numbers, and family matters. Though I would say the storyline was a little slow, I still did enjoy the musical numbers, costumes, and scenery. If you like a follow-through of a typical princess story, you would enjoy this movie.
5. Barbie: Princess Charm School (2011)
IMDB Rating: 6.5 - Personal rating: 9/10
Blair Willows is the main breadwinner for her adoptive family. She wins the lottery to attend the “Princess Charm School,” a boarding academy where she can learn how to become a lady in waiting. She seizes the opportunity to hopefully make a better future for her sister and sick mother. When she arrives, she sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the other students who are of noble backgrounds. Delancy, a soon-to-be princess, finds Blair insufferable because of her bias toward lottery students. Her mother, Dame Devin, lives vicariously through her daughter. Dame Devin loathes Blair because she looks awfully similar to the late Queen Isabella who was killed in an accident the same night Blair was left on her adoptive mother's doorstep. I really enjoyed the quick pace, simple storyline, convivial cast of characters, and quotable dialogue. Such a delight.
6. Barbie And The Diamond Castle (2008)
IMDB Rating: 6.4 - Personal rating: 7/10
Liana and Alexa are two best friends who live in a cozy cottage. Shortly after they come across a pair of heart-shaped stones, an abrupt storm decimates their garden. They create friendship necklaces out of the stones. They then stumble upon an old lady who offers them a mirror, but instead of seeing their reflection, they are met with the face of another woman, Melody. She’s on the run from the antagonist, Lydia, who is trying to destroy the Diamond Castle, the birthplace of music. They embark on a journey to prevent all that from happening. This whole movie was pure chaos. Each aberrant scene is followed by another aberrant scene. The side characters are eccentric and bizarre, which is common throughout the Barbie franchise.
7. Barbie Of Swan Lake (2003)
IMDB Rating: 6.4 - Personal rating: 8/10
Barbie's story tells of a shy woman who lives in a small village who turns to play an important role in protecting a forest full of magical creatures from a man and his daughter. This is a definite favorite because of the plot, musical numbers, costumes, and characters. Swan Lake is one of the few movies where I even enjoy the antagonist characters.
8. Barbie In "A Christmas Carol" (2008)
IMDB Rating: 6.3 - Personal Rating: 8.5/10
A Barbie retelling of Charles Dickens's 1843 novel “Christmas Carol”. Eden Sterling is Ebenezer Scrooge, an opera singer in Victorian London. She projects the cruel standards pushed on her from a young age onto her coworkers and friends. The night before Christmas, Eden is forced to confront her traumatic childhood and how that negatively affected who she is. A classic “Save the Cat” tale about friendship, accountability, and empathy that Dickens would be proud of, I rewatch this every Christmas with my family and it never gets old.
9. Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale (2010)
IMDB Rating: 6.3 - Personal rating: 7.8/10
A Fashion Fairytale wasn’t as magical as I remembered from when I was little. As a little kid, I loved and cherished this movie. Now rewatching it, it wasn’t “all that” as I had remembered it. Although, the storyline is still good and it feeds into those childhood fairytale dreams. The movie starts with Barbie getting fired from her current acting job and getting broken up with her. To get a break from everything she goes to Paris to visit her aunt, while there she finds her true passion in the fashion industry and helps her aunt with the business.
10. Barbie: Mermaidia (2006)
IMDB Rating: 6.3 - Personal rating: 9.5/10
When I was younger I used to want to be a mermaid. I remember living vicariously through this movie and it fulfilled that wish. Mermaidia filled my screen with vibrant colors, lovely scenery, and charming characters. We were able to go underwater with a fairy who turned into a mermaid to save her friend. I still stand behind this movie, and it is as magical as I remembered when I was younger. The story structure is wonderful and certain scenes/characters add to the magic that's aspired. Their comedic performances also run perfectly with a character named Bibble, who most love and adore.