Back in May, Universal Pictures and Illumination surprised everyone by releasing The Super Mario Bros. on Digital platforms just shy of a month after it had arrived in theaters.
It was already a $1 billion hit by that stage and the gamble paid off for the studios when Nintendo's animated adventure ended up breaking VOD records. Now, Warner Bros. Discovery appears to be taking a similar approach to Barbie despite the fact it's still breaking box office records.
Variety (via Toonado.com) confirms the movie is scheduled to arrive on Digital platforms starting September 5 and is already available to pre-order on Amazon for $19.99.
Surprisingly, there's been some backlash to the decision on social media. Barbie has become a cultural phenomenon, but many fans believe a six-week Digital release window is too short, particularly with it still performing well at the domestic and international box offices.
There's still heaps of time for the Mattel movie to make more money over the next few weeks, of course, and this news comes after Barbie just passed The Dark Knight to become Warner Bros.' biggest movie in North America.
We'll get updated numbers this weekend, but as of now, Barbie has made over $1.2 billion worldwide and looks set to be the biggest title of 2023. The prevailing theory is that the movie is going to eventually surpass Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2's $1.34 billion haul, a feat it should be able to achieve during what looks set to be a quiet August for new releases.
"To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place," reads the movie's brief synopsis. "Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken."
The epic ensemble includes Will Ferrell, John Cena, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Kate McKinnon, Dua Lipa and Helen Mirren.
Barbie is now playing in theaters.