Videos by ComicBook.com
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 also states that Universal Pictures will release the film, as they have an exclusive financing and distortion partnership with Illumination. As of now, neither Universal, Illumination, nor Mattel has commented on the deal yet.
If Barbie is indeed stepping into the realm of animation for the big screen, it’s hard to go wrong with Illumination. The studio has a number of major hits to its name, including the beloved Despicable Me franchise, which has now spawned a successful spinoff franchise in Minions. The studio has also delivered hits with The Secret Life of Pets 1 and 2, Sing 1 and 2, and Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, which has actually become my favorite version of that film to date.
Most recently, the studio has hit big with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Migration, and Despicable Me 4. They are also working on The Super Mario Bros. Movie for 2026 as well as Minions 3 for later that year, and now it will add Barbie to its roster, though there is no release date slated for the project just yet. If the other films on its resume are anything to go by, the Barbie animated movie will also have a stacked voice cast when it eventually launches.
