You get toy brands and then you get mega toy brands. While a Hot Wheels movie hasn't come about yet, unless you count The Fast and the Furious as an adequate approximation... especially Fate of the Furious, there are a few toy enterprises that just don't seem to quit capturing young minds. While Micro Machines didn't quite make it, two of the biggest toy brands from the 1980s are still alive and well with no sign of slowing down. We're not talking about Transformers, even though Michael Bay continues to flex his metallic bayhem, we're talking about Barbie and Lego (not Legos or even Legolas, please).
While both brands have had a broad slate of serviceable animated films, we're talking specifically about their greatest adverts... sorry films The Lego Movie (2014) and Barbie (2023). While Will Ferrell is their common denominator, there's actually a lot more these two mega toy brand adaptations have in common. Both films feature a strong female lead and a self-aware protagonist who questions their place in the world. The Lego Movie and Barbie both feature a diverse cast of characters and a visual style that is both playful and eye-popping even. They both make use of a meta-narrative that breaks the fourth wall and explores themes of identity, creativity and the power of play. Now two of the most popular and critically acclaimed animated films of recent years, both have been praised for their humour, heart and positive messages.
The Lego Movie and Barbie have a number of similarities in terms of positioning and style but there are also some key differences. For instance, the Barbie movie has received mixed reviews, now sitting on an 88% Tomatometer score. Some praised the film's humour, visuals, and performances, while others have criticized its lack of originality and PG-13 rating. The Lego Movie still holds a 96% Tomatometer score and was a smash hit with film critics, with many praising its humor, creativity, and heart. A feast for the eyes, the film won several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
When it comes to box office outings, both films have outperformed expectations. Barbie looks set to hit the $1 billion mark, now on $795 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman, based on a toy property and the biggest box office hit for 2023. As for The Lego Movie, it was the highest-grossing film in 2014 grossing over $468 million worldwide but didn't find the same phenomenal level of anticipation and hype ahead of its release, in spite of amazing reviews. Pink seems to be everyone's favourite colour at the moment.
A nostalgic trip down memory lane and a standalone film with their own message, both have led to a great deal of buzz, which will undoubtedly boost sales for Barbie. The Lego Movie's popularity and critical acclaim helped raise its profile, linking the many divergent themes its undertaken in recent years.
The Barbie movie and The Lego Movie are both first-rate films that have something to offer audiences of all ages. While the groundbreaking and original The Lego Movie is the clear victor in terms of reviews, it seems that Barbie's infiltration and long-awaited release has had a greater ripple effect, making it the clear winner when it comes to brand exposure and box office takings.
