I Rewatched Every Barbie Movie From My Childhood And Ranked Them From Worst To Best

They can't all be Princess and the Pauper!

My sister and I grew up watching Barbie movies and over the years we've loved rewatching them. Recently, we decided to rewatch (or watch for the first time) all the Barbie movies up until 2014 and make an *official* ranking, because what else do we have to do?!

Mattel

We scored each movie on the following categories:

Music, Barbie character, sidekick/friend, villain, male character, powerful message, outfits, script, and finally, overall impression.

Each category received a score out of 5 to make a total of 45 points.

Here are the results:

28. Thumbelina (2009), 9/45

Mattel

This shouldn't even count as a Barbie movie because Barbie was in the movie for all of 5 minutes. It felt like watching Disney Junior, but with a pug animated from my nightmares. Literally lacking in EVERY area, although it did score high for its message of "don't plow down a flower field to build a shopping centre."

27. Barbie: A Fairy Secret (2011), 13.5/45

Mattel

This was such a miss. It was Barbie in "real life", but her stylists (who were clearly bad at their jobs due to their ~interesting~ outfit choices) suddenly became fairies from "Gloss Angeles." Ken was kidnapped by a fairy who wanted to marry him and then he had to duel another man-fairy. We had to skip through parts of this movie, it was that bad.

26. Barbie and the Secret Door (2014), 14/45

Mattel

This was NOT "The Ultimate Fairytale Musical." The songs were terrible, and the plot of this movie was ruined by the fact that the villain was a whiny child with pigtails. Not threatening at all.

25. Barbie Princess and the Popstar (2012), 14/45

Mattel

This movie is a disgrace to the original classic: Princess and the Pauper. How dare they take the song "To Be a Princess" and make it ~pop~. Both the princess and the popstar were very privileged and had no need to sing a song wishing for a better life. Also, why did Cindi Lauper allow "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" to be transformed into "Princesses Just Wanna Have fun"? The song "Here I Am" kind of slapped, though.

24. Barbie: A Perfect Christmas (2011), 14/45

Mattel

These girls really had a weird definition of the perfect Christmas (i.e. spending it at the zoo) and it was a little hard to root for them to get it. It was like an animated Hallmark movie gone wrong.

23. Barbie and her Sisters in a Pony Tale (2013), 17/45

Mattel

This movie unleashed our inner horse girls. A classic rival horse movie, but with magic (of course). This was one of the better "Barbie in real life" movies, but it just didn't really stand out from the rest.

22. The Barbie Diaries (2006), 17.5/45

Mattel

In 2006, the Barbie franchise tried to change things up and make a "relatable" movie for an older, teen audience. The result is this trainwreck. For some reason, the animation in this movie is completely different from the rest and it. is. bad. We were supposed to like "boy next door" Kevin who, let's be honest we were hardcore crushing on as children. But upon review, we realized he's a total stalker with some creepy vibes.

21. Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001), 18/45

Mattel

Okay, we know this is a controversial ranking, but hear us out. This is the very first Barbie movie, which can be appreciated, but upon rewatching it's really mediocre. The Rat King was voiced by Tim Curry, which was really his only redeeming quality. We were kind of concerned with all the old men helping this pretty young girl in a nightgown, and we never felt attached to any of the characters. Works as a ballet, but not as a story with dialogue. Extra points for the dancing though!

20. Barbie in a Mermaid Tale (2010), 20/45

Mattel

For some reason, the plot of this movie was confusing. Too much backstory that wasn't easy to follow. Also, the fact that Merliah's friends used Google and underwater FaceTime to help her save the kingdom is just a cop out.

19. Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 (2012), 22/45

Mattel

The sequel was better than the first! We really liked the introduction of Kylie and the classic enemies to friends story. However, we have never been more horrified in our lives than seeing Alistair, an animated talking rainbow fish with a pencil moustache approach a young Australian female surfer in the dark.

18. Barbie: Mariposa (2008), 22/45

Mattel

Despite the unnecessarily nasty "Skeezites," the movie was pretty good overall. While some parts were cringey, the overall message made this movie worth watching. Mariposa comes out of her shell (or her cocoon?) to save the day, and the friendships had a lot of growth.

17. Barbie: The Pearl Princess (2014), 23.5/45

Universal Pictures

As you can see from the photo, we had VERY low expectations based on the seahorse with hair, however it turned out to be pretty enjoyable and the seahorse was iconic. While the plot was decent, and the stakes were high, there really wasn't a message, which is very important in a Barbie movie. Honorable mention to Fergis, who had the glow-up he deserved.

16. Barbie Mariposa and the Fairy Princess (2013) 25.5/45

Mattel

This was slightly better than the first movie except Mariposa's puff ball was just off brand Bibble. The villain had absolutely no motive for attacking a small child, and an entire kingdom, but we learned that it's important to be kind to others... I guess. However, the Crystal Fairies definitely had the best fairy outfits out of all the Barbie franchise.

15. Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia (2006), 26/45

Mattel

This was a decent sequel to Fairytopia! We always love more Bibble, especially his vocal transformations. We somehow ended up liking Elina's friend, Nori, more than we actually liked her. However, out of the Fairytopia trilogy, this is Laverna at her worst, and Fungus at their best, "lefting, lefteroo!"

14. Barbie: Fairytopia (2005), 27/45

Mattel

This movie genuinely felt like one big fever dream. There was a butterfly in a robe, troll-like children, firebirds, and just so much magic. The plot was a bit hard to follow because of all the magic, but Laverna had a very well-thought out scheme. We love a calculated green queen! This was the world's introduction to Bibble, and that's a win in our books!

13. Barbie in a Christmas Carol (2008), 27.5/45

Mattel

This was a great rendition of the classic story! It is great for kids (or us!) because it's not scary like some versions of a Christmas Carol can be. We would totally watch this again at Christmastime.

12. Barbie in the Pink Shoes (2013), 28/45

Mattel

The concept of combining a bunch of ballets was very cool, however it felt a little deja-vu after watching Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. The characters were dynamic, but some of the cross-overs were a bit jumbled. The dancing was great though!

11. Barbie in a Fashion Fairytale (2010), 29/45

Mattel

Ken saved this movie. He is a gem of a man and every scene with him was amazing. As for the rest, there really was some good fashion, and the magic didn't make the story dreadful. Also pet costumes? Adorable.

10. Barbie Princess Charm School (2011), 31.5/45

Mattel

We were not expecting a more recent movie to be as good as this one was! It's honestly upsetting it took us this long to watch it. The plot was like a crossover between a dystopian novel and The Princess Diaries. Loved Blair and her friends, and the magic was tasteful!

9. Barbie and the 3 Musketeers (2009), 32/45

Mattel

All the women in this movie were badass! Especially the old lady. They ended up saving ALL THE MEN, including those who told them that a woman could never be a musketeer. It's quite empowering. Also, the choice to include "Unbelievable" by EMF was bold.

8. Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005), 32/45

Mattel

Sadly this was the first AND last Barbie movie with 3-D, which honestly should be a crime. The 3-D made this movie the iconic masterpiece that it is. Aside from that, it is visually stunning and magical. There was figure skating on land and in the sky, and Shiver might just be the most adorable sidekick of them all. We also loved to hate Wenlock. Great villain, GARBAGE person. We were happy to see all the women take him down.

7. Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007), 33/45

Mattel

We are shocked that a Fairytopia movie made the top 10, but the scores don't lie. All the characters we know flourished in this movie! Laverna was more calculated than ever, Bibble got a girlfriend, and Elina had her biggest challenge yet. What more could we ask for?

6. Barbie as the Island Princess (2007), 33.5/45

Mattel

Now THIS is a musical! The songs in the movie are top tier bops (except for the rats' song... that was not a hit). Ro is a great character, and her peacock dress has to be one of the most iconic transformations in the Barbie franchise. Antonio was a great prince with solid intentions to explore the world, making them one of the best Barbie couples. Ro's animal sidekicks are very lovable, especially the flamboyant peacock.

Aside: pay close attention to the background characters. You'll find a man in a purple coat who look suspiciously like Julian appear multiple times per scene. You can also spot some of the 12 dancing princesses. Easter egg or lazy animation? We will never know...

5. Barbie of Swan Lake (2003), 34/45

Mattel

A classic for a reason! This is a great version of the classic ballet. The animal friends are very endearing, and performed some great dance numbers. However the message of this movie was just "two for one," meaning you can only win if you're in love so... don't love that part. But they were a cute couple, and we love Daniel anyway.

4. Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008), 35/45

Wikimedia / Via upload.wikimedia.org

This is yet another fantastic musical. Liana and Alexa are friendship goals, not to mention successful entrepreneurs. Slider, the villain's sidekick, had such chaotic energy, but we loved him. The twin British musicians were the comedic duo that we so needed, and every song slapped hard.

3. Barbie as Rapunzel (2002), 36/45

Mattel

We almost can't believe this was the second Barbie movie made because it held up so well. Gothel is the most calculated and cold of all the villains and we love her sidekick, Otto. Rapunzel has the best friends with Penelope and Hobey and the side plot with Penelope's father is just as engaging as the main one. The music in this movie is also beautiful, and the dress montage is a cinematic masterpiece.

2. Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006), 37/45

Wikimedia / Via upload.wikimedia.org

Did you know Catherine O'Hara (aka Moira Rose) voices the villain? That's the first of many reasons this film takes second place. The music, especially the theme song, is stunning. The main character Genevieve is so strong, and we adore Derek the cobbler (and his flute). While their ages were a little confusing, we appreciate how each of the sisters used their skill to help the group. The dance numbers were beautiful, and we will forever wish we had a secret dance pavillion.

1. Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004), 42/45

Mattel

There is no doubt at all this is the best Barbie movie. It was only three points shy of a perfect score. The songs are iconic. Preminger is iconic. Also, it's worth noting that this is the ONLY Barbie movie that does not involve magic elements. It's simply the best. Words really can't describe this true art.