A new Barbie movie is in development, but this time as an animated movie from Illumination rather than a live-action film from Greta Gerwig.

Illumination head Chris Meledandri shared a major update on the status of the animated Barbie movie with Mattel and who will be directing it.

Today, Deadline reported that Mattel Studios has finalized a deal with Illumination to develop a new Barbie movie, which will make it the first animated Barbie film created for theaters. The report ...

For more than 25 years, Barbie’s animated life existed exclusively on home video shelves. That era is officially over. Illumination and Mattel Studios finalized a partnership in July 2025 to develop ...