Barbie is iconic, simply put. There’s no limit to what she can do. She can go to space! She can save the world! She’s a prima ballerina and also a spy! There’s really no shortage of the fantastical tales featuring our Mattel queen, but we’re guessing you probably don’t want to sit through all 52 movies. We’re assuming the average reader here may have aged out of Barbie marathons — though no judgment if you haven’t. So, instead, here are some of the best Barbie movies worth watching, whether for nostalgia or to share with your kids.
What are the best Barbie movies as of 2025?
The first Barbie movie, Barbie in the Nutcracker, hit screens in 2001, and since then, the franchise has undergone several phases. You can roughly break them down into the early 2000s fairy-tale classics, the mid-2000s musical and princess heyday, the 2010s fantasy reinvention, and finally, the modern action-adventure era. By this point, Barbie is focused on her career. You go, girl.
Now, yes, we could absolutely add Greta Gerwig’s Barbie to this list, but it would feel a bit like cheating. We all know the 2023 pink postmodern pop phenomenon was a hit and easily ranks at the top of the best Barbie movies. But for this list, we’ll be sticking to the animated films.
Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001)
Often called the best Barbie movie of them all, Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001) kicked off the entire animated franchise. It’s loosely based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, as well as Tchaikovsky’s ballet adaptation. For being an animated Barbie movie, you might be surprised at just how well the film integrates elements of both, most notably the iconic score.
Barbie in the Nutcracker begins with Barbie reading a story to her little sister, Kelly, who’s stressing over a ballet solo. From there, we’re swept into the fantastical world as Barbie steps into the role of Clara, who teams up with a magical nutcracker to take down the Mouse King. It’s essentially the Barbie version of the holiday classic. There’s also Barbie in a Christmas Carol (2008) and Barbie: A Perfect Christmas (2011) if you’re looking for more Barbie Holiday fun.
Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper (2004)
Be honest — how many of us acted out our own version of The Princess and the Pauper as kids? The “rich girl and poor girl who couldn’t be more different but end up best friends (or even long-lost sisters)” trope is timeless for a reason. Barbie’s 2004 film gives it the complete fairy-tale, musical treatment. It was also the first Barbie movie to feature original songs, which aren’t too bad considering. Remember, these movies are for kids.
Here, Barbie plays both Princess Anneliese and the humble seamstress Erika. Two identical girls from very different worlds who switch places to stop the kingdom’s scheming advisor from seizing power.
Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses (2006)
Now, whatever you think of this movie, Catherine O’Hara voices Rowena — and that alone earns it a spot on our list. Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses is loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses, which, thankfully, is far less violent than many other Grimm stories. No one wants their kids watching animated Cinderella gore. I say that, but my mother also let me watch Halloween at seven.
The plot begins with twelve princesses who aren’t precisely the most ladylike. Their widowed father, the king, brings his cousin, the duchess Rowena, to turn them into “proper” young ladies. Unfortunately, Rowenea ends up draining all the color, whimsy, and fun from their lives. But against this increasingly strict life, the Princesses Genevieve (voiced by Barbie), Blair, Ashlyn, and their nine sisters disappear every night. Enter Derek, a clever young soldier who follows the princesses to this realm of healing and enchantment. Despite how that might sound, it’s not for malicious purposes. Meanwhile, the evil duchess is working overtime to seize power and take down both the king and the princesses.
Barbie and the Secret Door (2014)
In the 28th entry in the Barbie film series, Barbie plays Princess Alexa, a shy royal who struggles to fulfill her royal duties due to her extreme introversion. Extreme may not be the right word, but the girl is shy. Her grandmother steps in and gives her a book about a princess who discovers she has magic. One day, while reading the book in the royal gardens, Princess Alexa discovers a secret door. She enters and finds herself on the other side in a magical world. There, she gains powers and teams up with some charming side characters to help stop an evil ruler.
Barbie: Spy Squad (2016)
It was time to move on from the princesses and into Career Barbie. While we’re still waiting for a neurophysicist Barbie, Spy Squad delivers in style. The film also nods to the Detective Barbie computer game that entertained (and admittedly terrified) many of us on family PCs back in 1998. In Barbie: Spy Squad, Barbie and her closest friends, Teresa and Renee, are recruited as undercover agents for a top-secret spy organization. Tasked with recovering a stolen set of valuable gems, the trio must infiltrate high-security locations, outsmart cunning adversaries, and navigate a series of increasingly dangerous challenges. There’s plenty of acrobatics and high-tech gadgets to make this feel somewhere between Barbie’s version of Charlie’s Angels and Totally Spies.
How we picked the best Barbie movies
Nostalgia undoubtedly played a significant role, as did the overall quality of writing and storytelling. But at the end of the day, these are just really great Barbie movies. We also considered animation, fan reception, and replay value — movies that you or your kids would actually want to watch more than once. While most of us may have outgrown them, these films remain fantastic to share with younger Barbie fans.
