Barbie's Impact: Unveiling the Top Movie Trends of 2023

Barbie's impactful messages of feminism came at just the right time since movie data from 2023 proves Hollywood desperately needs the lesson. The Greta Gerwig movie features predominantly female protagonists, so the dialogue is women-led. Unfortunately, upon reflection, Barbie was one of the few movies of the year that can say this, which is ironic considering the themes of the iconic doll's story. In this way, 2023 wasn't a great year for feminism in Hollywood, which is precisely why it's so important that this is when Barbie hit theaters.

Barbie dominated the global box office in 2023, raking in $1.4 billion gross. This is thanks, in part, to the comical way Barbie drives home points about feminism and the generationally acquired expectations often put on women and men under the patriarchy. Naturally, the 2023 movie led to some debates regarding how necessary these lessons are. Barbie doesn't focus on feminist issues of the past, like women's suffrage, but instead explores the unconscious ways that society is still pitted against women today. Ultimately, 2023's 100 top movies prove Barbie right.

The Percentage Of Female Protagonists Went Down In 2023 Compared To 2022

A recent study observes the disproportionate opportunities for men and women in Hollywood in 2023.

Margot Robie as Barbie in Barbie worried - A recent study observes the disproportionate opportunities for men and women in Hollywood in 2023. - The Percentage Of Female Protagonists Went Down In 2023 Compared To 2022

The hype surrounding Barbie in 2023 may have led many to believe it was a standout year for female leads. Margot Robbie, America Ferrera, and Kate McKinnon shined in their roles, showcasing humor and strength both on screen and during promotional interviews. Yet, when taking a broader view of 2023 movies, women overall did not have as significant a presence in Hollywood as one might think.

Movie Data Shows That Women Had Fewer Speaking Roles Than Men In 2023 Movies

A recent study by Dr. Martha Lauzen (via Screen Rant) revealed that the number of female protagonists in movies dropped from 33% in 2022 to 28% in 2023. This is even more alarming when considering that, in 2020, 48% of movies had a woman in the leading role. This progress has been lost in the years since, with 2023 now standing out as the depressing low point for female actors. Then, to make matters even worse, Lauzen's data also indicates that women filled significantly fewer speaking roles in 2023 than their male colleagues.

Despite Barbie's themes, women's voices are far less prominent in film than men's.

The Holdovers Da'Vine Joy Randolph Oppenheimer Emily Blunt Barbie America Ferrera - Despite Barbie's themes, women's voices are far less prominent in film than men's. - Movie Data Shows That Women Had Fewer Speaking Roles Than Men In 2023 Movies

Even more concerning than the revelation of fewer women in leading roles in 2023 compared to 2022 is the stark gender disparity in speaking roles, especially during the year Barbie was released. Analyzing the top 100 movies of the year, including Barbie, Lauzen discovered that only 18% of these films featured more female-speaking parts than male. In contrast, a mere 5% had an equal balance, while a significant 77% of the top movies in 2023 had more male speaking roles than female.

Delving deeper into the data, Lauzen observed a noticeable age gap between female and male movie characters and their respective actors. In 2023, only 30% of female speaking roles were portrayed by actors over 30 years old, with those over 40 accounting for just 13%. The percentage dwindled even further for those over 50, representing a mere 7% of female speaking roles. Conversely, male speaking roles continued to be prominent even after the age of 50, albeit to a lesser extent. This disparity underscores the very issue Barbie sought to address.

2023's Movie Data Proves Just How Important Barbie's Message Is Right Now

Margot Robie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken in Barbie flipping in a car - 2023's Movie Data Proves Just How Important Barbie's Message Is Right Now

The movie data from 2023 is ironic, considering these are precisely the topics that Barbie touched on. The film explored the effects of the patriarchy on both men and women, demonstrating how the expectations placed on both genders can negatively impact everyone involved. Barbie reflects the damage of a society that pressures men to lead and sees women pushed to the wayside while still expecting them to be impossibly young, beautiful, and compliant. Clearly, this is a highly relevant topic since this is precisely what is reflected by the movies of 2023.

Robbie's character learned in Barbie that the world expected her to look perfect and beautiful from within a box. Since Hollywood has fewer leading or speaking parts for women, and those available were reserved for younger actors in 2023, it's clear that the circumstances of Barbie weren't hypothetical. These are messages that are desperately needed at this present moment in history, both in Hollywood and the wider world.

The fact that Ryan Gosling, the male star of Barbie, received an Oscar nomination while Gerwig and Robbie were snubbed highlights the significance of the movie's central themes for Hollywood today.

The Potential Impact of Barbie on Future Hollywood Trends

Margot Robbie in Barbie (2023) (1) - How Barbie Can Inspire Future Changes In Hollywood

Despite the male-dominated trend in Hollywood films in 2023, Barbie managed to become the highest-grossing movie of the year. It is one of the rare few films since 2019 to reach the billion-dollar mark, outperforming even Oppenheimer. While Gerwig's film may not have received many awards this season, it clearly struck a chord with audiences, leading them to buy tickets and recommend it to others. Given the importance of financial success in Hollywood, other filmmakers may look to replicate this achievement.

Barbie's profits at the box office could, therefore, inspire more female-led, feminist-central movies in the near future. This would mean more women on screen and perhaps a better balance between male and female actors and the roles they are given, which could ultimately impact the way we think about feminism going forward.

Of course, it will take more than a movie about a doll to make a significant change, but Barbie's perfect timing could be the beginning of something great.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the unfortunate disparity in female representation in Hollywood films in 2023, despite the release of "Barbie," which promoted feminist ideals. The data reveals a decline in female protagonists and speaking roles, with only 18% of the top 100 movies featuring more female-speaking parts than male. This sobering statistic underscores the need for continued efforts to promote gender equality in the film industry.

The success of "Barbie" at the box office, despite its lack of recognition at award ceremonies, suggests that audiences are receptive to feminist themes and female-led narratives. The film's financial triumph could potentially inspire more filmmakers to create movies that empower women and challenge gender stereotypes. While it remains to be seen whether "Barbie" will spark a lasting change in Hollywood, its impact on the conversation surrounding female representation is undeniable.