(SPOT.ph) August has been a great month for all Barbie enthusiasts, a.k.a. the general public. There were news and pictures of Greta Gerwig's live-action Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken; not to mention that four classic movies from the franchise, namely Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus, Barbie as Rapunzel, and Barbie: The Nutcracker have all dropped on Netflix ready to be streamed over and over again. Finally, we get something nice. That said, there's no doubt a Barbie movie marathon is scheduled this weekend, whether alone or with your best gal friends.
Also read: Y2K Kids, These Classic Barbie Bangers All Drop on Netflix This August
While all Barbie movies are undoubtedly top-tier, each one as magical as the last, completes every childhood, still works wonders for our inner child, so on and so forth—we can all agree we have that one Barbie title that's the closest to our hearts. You know. The one we'd fight tooth and nail for; or create a passionate essay about why it's the best one. Sidenote: Where was this energy during your school days? We're talking about your "This (insert Barbie movie title here) is the best and there's nothing you can do to change my mind" or "(insert Barbie movie title) supremacy!".
We all have our lists and reasons. Keep that in mind when you go through this one. We ranked 2000s Barbie movies, now considered classics, or at least we say so, based on how the writer's heart remembers them. Fight us in the comments.
We rank 2000s Barbie movies by how much we wish we could rewatch them:
10. Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009)
“All for one, and one for all!” This movie had us in awe of the girls’ transformation before they kick ass. Is that a necklace being used as a slingshot? The stunts? Alexa, play “Unbelievable.” We don’t know, and we don’t want to find out, how some of the weapons actually work. Anyway, the fighting scenes plus that training montage—How?—in the secret training room are a delight to watch. Empowering? Definitely. It’s not all the time princesses get to save the men, the exact same men who told them they cannot be musketeers. Being told you can run in a field dominated by men? Sounds too familiar.
“Why don’t you run along and leave the musketeer-ing to the big boys?” How about a big NO?
9. Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008)
The songs in Barbie movies are always top-tier, and the ones in Diamond Castle prove our point. “Believe”, “Two Voices One Song”, and/or “Connected” has us busting out a lung trying to sing along with Liana and Alexa as they get chased by a dragon and an evil sorceress. Despite having not watched it for a long time, you still know the lyrics by heart. While Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses focuses on the power of dance, Barbie and the Diamond Castle have the power of music—and friendship, of course.
8. Barbie: Princess Charm School (2011)
Oh, to win a lottery, have a carriage show up at work, be taken to a school to “train” to become a princess—and then find out that you are actually the long-lost princess of the whole kingdom? Blair Willows was written like a true main character. Despite having known the truth from a mile away, a.k.a look at the Queen’s portrait, the revelation still got us at the edge of our seats. We also love character development. And that confession from Dame Devin? Tops the cake. At one point, we all tried to balance a book in our heads with “On Top of the World” playing in the background because of this movie.
We know it isn't technically in the 2000s anymore, but this Barbie movie was one of the last to have that old-school feel. Yes, the 2000s is now old school. Please don't make us say it again.
7. Barbie as the Island Princess (2007)
One thing to love about the film, aside from Ro, is her companions. It's a kooky group that pretty much looks like your own friendship circle. The sensible, kind of like the parent in the group; the one who is babied by everyone; and, of course, what's a clique without a diva? The only thing missing is the feathers. Anyway, speaking of peacock feathers, Ro’s gown transformation lives in our minds rent free. That twist, too.
6. Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001)
Ah, the first one. Such an OG. But poor and wonky, albeit understandable, animation. What age were most of us when this was released? Five? Six? Decades later, it still oozes nostalgic charm. If you love Barbie and the Swan Lake, then you’ll no doubt love The Nutcracker as well. Plus, that element of classical music and ballet, courtesy of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was arguably our first touch in that world. Our apologies to Tom & Jerry. That said, the musical scoring and the dances? Gorgeous. The evil Mouse King? Childhood nightmare material. Until now, really.
5. Barbie as Rapunzel (2002)
We've met too many princesses with long, magical hair in fairytales before, and we all know the tales. Sans the magic dragon guarding the tower, a whole new kingdom via a secret passage, among other things. There's no retelling quite like this animated film. Creating magnificent dresses with just a paintbrush? Barbie was both painter and stylist here, though we are a little disappointed her hair only reached the floor. At least we still got that epic dresses montage.
As we grew up though, we came to realize that the “Any specific plans or just… general pain and anguish?” / “Pain, anguish, and perhaps a trim” quote from Big Bad Gothel is too real. Still, she's the bad guy, even with those magnificent eyebrows. Or maybe, especially with those eyebrows.
4. Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005)
Who has overprotective parents? Did your hand just shoot up in the air? Truth is, we can all relate to Princess Anika in a way, thanks to her “You’re ruining my life,” line. But don’t we all have our reasons? We shouldn’t need a curse to realize that. The main protagonist is a headstrong, hashtag don’t-need-no-man gal who saves the day with her very own pink pegasus named Brietta. Add in those eye rolls and the 10/10 sarcastic comments, not to mention witty banter with Aiden, and Anika's a character we could watch over and over again.
3. Barbie of Swan Lake (2003)
The costume? 11/10. The dancing? Also 11/10. Oh, to be able to do ballet in an enchanted forest, with glowing costumes, and those little blue lights we think are fireflies dancing with your every step. The musical scoring? Another 11/10. Barbie made a a great nod to Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” which is all the more what’s amazing about this film. We wonder if the composer would be able to comprehend a globally known doll brand remaking his ballet into a moving picture—and successfully, too.
With the magical and pretty vibe of this film, we wouldn't mind rewatching this one over and over again. No Barbie movie is ever complete without talking animals, magic, and some sort of spunky creature. A unicorn, for this one.
2. Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
With so many main characters involved, you’d think it would be hard to keep track and be attached to all of them—Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses will prove you wrong. Every sibling has something to bring to the table, especially eternal main character Barbie as Princess Genevieve. In this, you’ll see the love for family, and, of course, dance. They didn't call this movie the 12 Dancing Princesses for nothing. The musical scoring, the dance numbers, the characters (special mention to Derek and the pretty shoes)—it's all just *chef’s kiss.* 12/10 on this one. One for each child.
ICYDK: Catherine O’Hara voices this animated film’s antagonist, the evil Duchess Rowena with her equally wicked pet monkey Brutus.
1. Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004)
Because, of course, it is. The switching lives trope? A commoner trying to learn how to be a princess and act like someone she is not? That required scene where they balance books on their heads? We love to see it. And we know you do, too. The songs, most specifically “I Am A Girl Like You”— you know, the “I’m just like you/You’re just like me,” (don't you dare say you didn't sing that)—have never escaped your mind. Or at the very least, you've seen the meme.
Sometimes we all need a breather from the life we ought to have. We can all relate, Anneliese and Erika. We all need “one day for ourselves.” Now, to find our Anneliese or Erika we could switch with. Or heck, we'll settle for watching this movie daily.
this strange new world.