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Barbie: Meet the many Barbie variants in the new big screen movie

Forget the multiverse: in Barbie's dream world, there are just variants because there are

Features by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Sun Jul 16 2023

In the 63 years since she first appeared, Barbara Millicent Roberts — Barbie to her friends — has had plenty of careers, and plenty of looks… many of which are celebrated in the upcoming Barbie movie, with a whole host of actors joining Margot Robbie to bring the multiple incarnations of Barbie to celluloid life. But which Barbie variant is which? And how many of them are based on real Barbie dolls from the toy line’s past?

Strap in, friends. We’re headed to Malibu. (Well, only in our minds. Sorry if I raised your hopes.)

Barbie

Barbie is played by Margot Robbie.

Is there an official Barbie doll? Yes. Of course.

Scientist Barbie

Scientist Barbie is played by Emma Mackay.

Is there an official scientist Barbie doll? Yes, there is.

Mermaid Barbie

Mermaid Barbie is played by Dua Lipa.

Is there an official mermaid Barbie doll? yes, there is.

Judge Barbie

Judge Barbie is played by Ana Cruz Kayne.

Is there an official judge Barbie doll? Seemingly no longer available, but there was.

Doctor Barbie

Doctor Barbie is played by Hari Nef.

Is there an official doctor Barbie doll? Yes, there is.

Lawyer Barbie

Lawyer Barbie is played by Sharon Rooney.

Is there an official lawyer Barbie doll? Curiously, apparently not. Hey, Mattel, what’s that all about…?

President Barbie

President Barbie is played by (who else?) Issa Rae.

Is there an official President Barbie doll? Yes, there is.

Diplomat Barbie

Diplomat Barbie is played by none other than Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan.

Is there an official diplomat Barbie doll? Seemingly not, but every Barbie could be a diplomat if she tried.

News Anchor Barbie

NEws Anchor Barbie is reporting live from the Barbie movie, and played by Ritu Arya.

Is there an official news anchor Barbie doll? Yes, there is.

Author Barbie

Storm actor Alexandra Shipp plays Author Barbie.

Is there an official author Barbie doll? Not yet, but we like to think that she’s just waiting for her first book to be picked up by an enterprising publisher.

Weird Barbie

Kate McKinnon plays Weird Barbie (because of course she does).

Is there an official weird Barbie doll? Every Barbie is a weird Barbie waiting to happen.

Barbie opens July 21. Buy tickets on Fandango or Atom Tickets.

Will there be a Barbie sequel? Here’s what director Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie have to say on the matter.

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Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.