During the recent NTI and Snow Days, I passed my time by going back and watching some of the best media to come out of the 21st century: the Barbie Movies. Ask any girl who was born in the 2000’s what their favorite Barbie movie is and you’ll be sure to have a very spirited response. After all, Barbie movies affected pop culture for many years. Dolls, DVDs, and soundtracks were at the top of every Christmas list. Kids not only got to admire pretty dresses but also got a positive influence to look up to. A person who always encourages people to be
themselves, whether a human, a mermaid, a princess, or a fairy. No matter what the Barbie movie is, the positive message and nostalgia alone give it a 10/10 ranking. That said, here’s my ranking for my top five Barbie movies.
- Barbie in a Mermaid Tale
This movie inspired many little girl’s wishful thinking. Career choices among the younger demographic instantly became one thing: mermaid. Merliah, the main character, was a very worthy protagonist. She was so easy to root for; her personality and pink streaks make Merliah and “Barbie in a Mermaid Tale” a fan favorite.
- Barbie of Swan Lake
The entire aesthetic of Barbie of Swan Lake is enchanting. With some of the most beautiful scenes in any Barbie movie, it’s no surprise that Barbies of Swan Lake placed so high on the ranking. Another stand-out aspect of this movie is the evil sorcerer Rothbart. For a Barbie movie, the stakes for our protagonist are very high. There is a chance she could be turned into a swan or killed. Although many children’s movies allude to death and murder, not many outright say it. So the risk to Odette gives the audience a reason to keep watching and be invested in the story.
- Barbie as Rapunzel
Barbie’s paintbrush might be the most iconic thing ever. A twist on the classic story that involved Rapunzel being locked into a tower and having to paint her way out. Unlike other variations that show Rapunzel and Gothel having a great relationship, Gothel’s hatred towards Rapunzel is obvious, and this makes you feel bad for Rapunzel and root for her more. With a rambunctious bunny, a loyal dragon, and a cunning weasel this movie has everything it needs to be one of the best Barbie movies.
- Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow
Any movie from the Fairytopia trilogy is high-ranking; however, I think Magic of the Rainbow is supreme. The epic conclusion to the trilogy includes Barbie’s Elina defeating the evil sorceress Laverna with her magic powers. These powers combine to make a beautiful rainbow motif on Elina’s fairy wings. While the death of an iconic villain like Laverna is a true loss, the teamwork visibly shown between the fairies is encouraging and uplifting, making this movie one-of-a-kind. Plus, we get MANY scenes from everyone’s favorite character: Bibble.
- Barbie as Princess and the Pauper
The most famous movie in the Barbie franchise, and for a good multitude of reasons. The songs are iconic and songs like “I Am a Girl Like You” and “How Can I Refuse” have been referenced in pop culture for years. A Barbie movie villain also makes a movie great, and none is greater than Preminger. Preminger is motivated by his will to take over the Kingdom. He is completely committed to this goal and will stop at nothing to achieve it. The setting of this movie takes us to gold mines castles, and other visually appealing places. Not only is this movie fun to listen to, but the gentle color palette and beautiful scenery make it enthralling to watch.
