Greta Gerwig is the only female director to ever helm a billion-dollar movie on her own — period. Gerwig’sBarbieblockbuster continues to steamroll the competition at this summer’s box office. And, yes, the film adaptation of the popular Mattel doll has surpassedFrozen II’sdomestic take of $477.4 million with $502.6 million. But Gerwig has held the so-called “new” record all along. Here’s why:
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, overtakingFrozen IImakes Gerwig “the highest-grossing female director of all time domestically.” It’s true. But why is everyone ignoring the bright-pink elephant in the room? Gerwig’s ascension to that rank arguably happened long before this weekend even started. Here’s the caveat other reports seem to be glossing over:Greta Gerwig is the one and only female to direct a billion-dollar filmwithout a co-director. It is that simple, and it’s a distinction she earned duringBarbie’sthird weekend of release.
At the time of this writing, there are a total of 53 films which have surpassed the coveted $1-billion mark at the box office — all but three were directed solely by men. Those other three movies on the list were co-directed by men and women. Both Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee are credited for leadingFrozen and Frozen II, whileCaptain Marvelcredits the team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck for their direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) installment. Lee and Boden’s projects clearly surpassed the billion-dollar mark, at the box office, but Greta Gerwig stands alone.
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Barbie is a Record-Breaking Blockbuster
The distinction thatGreta Gerwighas already achieved is one that will go down in the annals of movie history, even if the filmmaker technically has to wait forBarbieto surpassFrozen’s$1.3 million,Frozen II’s$1.5 million andCaptain Marvel’s$1.1 million worldwide totals.Barbiesits at exactly $1,076,808,894.00 (perThe Numbers), as of Friday, August 11. The Mattel doll adaptation is poised topassCaptain Marvelover this weekend making Gerwig the highest-grossing female director, as it pertains to helming a live-action film.
Barbiehas entered its fourth weekend of theatrical release, and Greta Gerwig’s film is projected to win the No. 1 spot at the box office once more.Barbiemade $10 million to lead the competition on Friday, which has the movie eyeing a $30-million weekend domestically.Oppenheimeralso continues to show strong during its fourth weekend. Yes,Barbenheimer’s money-making run continues.
Christopher Nolan’s historical drama made about half ($5.1 million) of whatBarbiebrought in on Friday, but its projected take of $17 million should be good enough to hold off the rest of the movies for a second-place finish.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhemeyes No. 3 with $14.5 million, whileMeg 2: The Trenchwill likely secure the No. 4 slot with $13 million. Sadly, the new Dracula filmThe Last Voyage of the Demeterwill barely crack the Top 5 with only $6.5 millionto show for its opening weekend.
