Summary
Barbie's VOD release date is no longer featured in pre-order listings, suggesting its digital release date may have been delayed.
Warner Bros. executives may have reconsidered their decision regarding the digital release in order to take advantage of Barbie's ongoing box office success. By delaying the VOD release, Barbie has the potential to sustain its strong performance in theaters, similar to the success witnessed by other movies like Top Gun: Maverick.
Barbie's VOD release date may have been postponed, as the previously scheduled date is no longer available for pre-orders. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film, which is inspired by the popular Mattel doll, remains a huge success worldwide both in terms of reviews and box office performance. Therefore, it came as a bit unexpected that the digital release of the film was initially planned for early September.
Barbie's VOD release date for the upcoming film may have experienced a change of plans. Despite being available for pre-order, the original release date of September 5 and the updated date of September 12 are not included in any listings. Speculation from Hollywood expert Luiz Fernando suggests that Warner Bros. executives might have reconsidered the digital release due to the movie's ongoing success in theaters.
Additionally, Fernando's tweet reveals that Barbie's release on physical media is now set for January 2, 2024. Screen Rant has contacted Warner Bros. for further information.
Is Pushing Barbie's Digital Release Date A Good Idea?
Despite early indications of hype for both Gerwig's movie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, both films have exceeded expectations. Barbie's box office performance has shattered numerous records worldwide, currently with a staggering $1.38 billion in global earnings.
Although Gerwig's movie continues to dominate cinemas, Warner Bros. unexpectedly announced Barbie's digital release for early September on August 16. This decision seemed to contradict the potential earnings from theatrical screenings. However, since the announcement, Barbie has remained a strong attraction for audiences worldwide. A delay would help the film sustain its popularity in theaters for the upcoming weeks.
According to Fernando's tweet, Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 had an impressive and long-lasting run at the box office, remaining a popular choice among audiences even several months after its release. Warner Bros. executives may have recognized that Barbie is performing exceptionally well, surpassing expectations. This indicates that it would be more advantageous to keep Barbie in theaters rather than releasing it on VOD or Max. The duration for which Barbie will continue to attract moviegoers remains uncertain, but postponing its VOD release date is a sensible decision.
