By Mary Ellis Logan
Between 2001 and 2014, Mattel released 25 movies that I would consider to be the real Barbie movies; films which are clearly superior to this summer’s hit movie from director Greta Gerwig. Some of these films are focused on folk tales, such as Barbie of Swan Lake (2003) and Barbie as Rapunzel (2002). Others were motivated by books, such as Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004), inspired by the Mark Twain novel The Prince and the Pauper. Today, the Barbie franchise is focused on the 2023 live-action movie, starring Margot Robbie. However, the original animated films are much better.
Each movie features Barbie and Ken as different characters, sometimes known by their names and other times taking on new personalities. In every movie, Barbie lives a different life—as a mermaid, a fairy, a princess—really, anything you could imagine. My favorite life lived by Barbie is in Barbie in a Fairy Secret (2011). In this film, she enjoyed life as both a celebrity and a fairy, and, most importantly, wore the best outfits. When I was younger, I would imagine myself as Barbie, flying through the streets of Paris, trying on designer clothes and fighting for what I thought was right. The life I envisioned through the film gave me a sense of confidence that I feel benefited me in my life (without wings).
In an attempt to remind everyone of the true Barbie movies, I asked several students about their favorite early 2000s Barbie films. Using this information, as well as my own opinions, I put together a ranking of the students’ favorite films, as well as mine.
Barbie movie promotional covers. Image credit: sportskeeda.com
My Rankings:
#5: Barbie of Swan Lake
In 5th place, I have chosen Barbie of Swan Lake. This film features Barbie as a woman named Odette living in a small village and working in her father’s bakery. A missing royal unicorn leads the prince of a nearby kingdom to Odette’s village. The three work together in a battle for a magic crystal against Odette’s evil cousin, Rothbart. The two end up victorious and are married in Odette’s village. This DVD lived in the center console of my mother’s car and was turned on every chance I was given to watch TV in the car. I had a stuffed animal of the royal unicorn, who has since been stolen by my cousins, but he still reminds me of my love for this movie.
#4: Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
After careful consideration, I have decided to place Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006) in fourth place. This movie features Barbie as Princess Genevieve, one of 12 daughters of a widowed king. The princesses, who all share a room, discover a magical world accessible from their bedroom, where they spend their nights feeding their passion for dance. This movie is so impactful that Collegiate Senior Hannah Bonbright (’24) wrote her Senior Speech on it.
#3: Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia
In third place, I have selected one of the most famous movies of the Barbie franchise, Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia (2006). This film stars Barbie as Eliana, a mermaid who has traveled to Mermaidia to save her friend, Prince Nalu. Eliana works with another mermaid, Nori, and pet puffball, Bibble, to find the mermaid prince. I think what enticed me the most about this film was how utterly confusing it was. While I never truly understood what was happening, and still don’t, I will always remember and love the joy the movie brought me.
#2: Barbie as the Island Princess
I have had the same two favorite Barbie movies for as long as I can remember. This posed a challenge when picking between the two. Eventually, I placed Barbie as the Island Princess (2007) in second place. In this film, Barbie plays a young girl named Ro, who is raised on a tropical island by her animal friends. She is discovered by an adventuring prince, the two fall in love, and he brings her back to his kingdom. This movie was a very typical princess story: a girl is rescued by a prince, whom she eventually falls in love with. To me, and to other young girls, this storyline feeds into one’s imagination. I enjoyed envisioning myself as Ro, undergoing to adventures and challenges she faced, and rising victorious.
#1: Barbie: Fairy Secret
When making this ranking, I immediately placed Barbie: A Fairy Secret in first place. As a kid, I could often be found in the backseat of my mother’s car humming to the tune of “Can You Keep a Secret?” the soundtrack to the movie’s credits. Now, as a 16-year-old, I have been seen on Parham Road singing the same song. This movie stars Barbie as herself and follows her journey to becoming a fairy to save her boyfriend Ken, who has been kidnapped by a love-sick fairy, Graciella. This movie has always catered to my imagination and helped me through some tough times. There is no other movie that could take the number one spot.
Barbie in a Fairy Secret. Image credit: barbiefotos on Flickr.
Ranking based on votes:
#5: Barbie and the Diamond Castle
Upon interviewing several of my peers about their favorite Barbie movies, Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008), received the fifth most votes. In this film, Barbie aims to teach her younger sister the importance of friendship, through a tale of two peasant girls and their shared love of music. While I haven’t watched this particular movie recently enough to remember it, many people enthusiastically suggested it for this article. After hearing many stories about student’s love for this film I am definitely planning to watch it soon.
#4: Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
I was very happy to see The 12 Dancing Princesses make this ranking, since it is one of my favorites. Many people who hadn’t watched many Barbie movies quickly stated this one as one that they remembered once watching, or had heard about. This made me more hopeful that these amazing movies weren’t being as forgotten as it had seemed.
#3: Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia
Fairytopia: Mermaidia, making yet another appearance! This film features a hilarious puffball named Bibble, who has recently becoming increasingly popular on the internet. Memes of the pet’s iconic lines have been circling social media platforms, reminding many of this film that they hadn’t seen in several years.
Bibble!! Image credit: hero.fandom.com/wiki/Bibble.
I was relatively surprised to see Barbie in A Mermaid Tale (2010) make this ranking. In retrospect, this movie came out around the time many of us were turning four or five years old and beginning to watch TV and movies. So for many people, this was the era of Barbie movies that they watched. I have always acknowledged Mermaid Tale as a very clever name, using the misspelling of “tail” to indicate that it is a story. In this film, Barbie stars as a surfer who is introduced to the mermaid world after finding out that it was her true calling.
#1: Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper
The majority of people who suggested Princess and the Pauper weren’t able to remember the name of the film but quickly recounted the details of the plot. Many younger siblings of Barbie fans, particularly boys, excitedly named this film—seemingly proud to remember one of the movies. This film is usually named as one of the most popular of the Barbie franchise, being released in its peak of popularity. Because of this, I was not surprised to see it in first place and am proud to say that many people remembered this amazing movie.
Throughout this process, I was able to remind many people about the joy that these movies once brought them and encourage them to rewatch them. I have also been able to remind myself of these memories and reminisce on times spent with my younger sister watching the fantasy world of Barbie.
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