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The movie industry owes a debt of gratitude to Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” according to Meryl Streep. During the Palm Springs Film Awards, the iconic actress praised the blockbuster comedy for rescuing the film industry and securing jobs for actors and crew members. With a staggering $1.4 billion in ticket sales, “Barbie” dominated the box office in 2023 and holds the title of Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing film ever.
Streep’s Recognition
Meryl Streep took the stage after Billie Eilish and Finneas received an award for their contribution to the “Barbie” music soundtrack. As the first songwriters to be honored with the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs Film Awards, they added to the movie’s success. Streep acknowledged their achievement, saying, “You’ve delivered the ‘Barbie’ love bomb. You’ve saved the movies last summer and all of our jobs. You’ve brought joy to countless generations and genders. Surf that wave, kids, until you’re old and deserve to be jaded like me.”
Movie Magic
“Barbie” and Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” proved that audiences still crave the theatrical experience even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Steven Spielberg expressed his gratitude to Cruise, acknowledging that his films had played a significant role in keeping movie theaters alive. “Seriously, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ might have saved the entire theatrical industry,” Spielberg told Cruise during last year’s Oscar nominees luncheon.
Award Season Buzz
The success of “Barbie” continues to be recognized in the industry. The movie received nine Golden Globe nominations, a remarkable 18 Critic’s Choice Award nominations, and garnered 12 Grammy nominations for its soundtrack. The standout track, “What Was I Made For?” is in the running for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys. Additionally, it has been shortlisted for an Oscar for Best Original Song alongside two other tracks from the movie: “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa and “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling.
The Future of “Barbie”
Despite the overwhelming triumph of “Barbie,” Margot Robbie, the film’s lead actress, isn’t rushing to commit to a sequel at the moment. In an interview with Variety, Robbie shared, “This wasn’t designed to be a trilogy… I don’t know what more could even look like. We want to make more films that have the effect that ‘Barbie’ has. I don’t know if it has to be ‘Barbie 2.’ Why can’t it be another big, original, bold idea? Let’s find an amazing filmmaker, a big budget, and the support of a major studio to create something extraordinary. That’s what I want to do.”
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