'Barbie' passes $1B mark just 17 days after release

"Barbie" has passed the $1B mark, just 17 days after its release.

According to a press statement from Warner Bros studios, the film starring Margot Robbie took in a record-smashing $1.0315 billion worldwide over the weekend.

It's also made director Greta Gerwig the first woman to surpass that benchmark as a solo director.   

"Barbillion has blown even our most optimistic predictions out of the water. This is a watershed moment for ‘Barbie,’ and no one but Greta Gerwig could have brought this cross-generational icon and her world to life in such a funny, emotional and entertaining story, one that is resonating with all four quadrants of moviegoers and literally turning the entire world pink," Jeff Goldstein, President of Domestic Distribution, and Andrew Cripps, President of International Distribution, for Warner Bros. Pictures said in a statement.

"Barbie" hit Philippine theaters in July. Ahead of its release, the movie made ruckus after Vietnam banned it for allegedly showing the nine-dash line in a map.

The MTRCB vowed a detailed review of the movie, which finally screened on July 19 with a PG rating.

But the ruckus only added to the movie's already burgeoning marketing campaign that included the Barbiecore fashion trend.

Closer to home, our Filipiniana made an appearance on the pink carpet, thanks to Fil-Am actress Ana Cruz Kayne, who played Supreme Court Justice Barbie in the movie, who wore gorgeous Balintawak pieces at the the LA and London premiere events.

Apart from Ana Cruz Kayne and Margot Robbie, "Barbie" stars Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell and more. It also boasts a superb soundtrack. — LA, GMA Integrated News