I Am A Barbie Movie Expert, So Of Course I Ranked Them From Least To Most Iconic

Princess and the Pauper isn't #1...

15. Barbie in the Island Princess (2007)

Mattel

This movie is not as good as you remember. The music is wonderful, and the animation is generally pretty cute, but oh my god, the talking animals. Not only is Tika the elephant the cause of 98% of the protagonist's problems, but the villain employs singing rats to dispose of the kingdom's animals. While I'll admit, "I Need to Know," "Always More," and "Right Here in My Arms" are all beautifully written and sung songs, nothing could help me recover from "The Rat Song" and Tika's constant complaining (truly the definition of gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss). Just let this island girl live her own life, damnit.

14. Barbie: Rock n' Royals (2015)

Mattel

Ok, hear me out: This movie is essentially Pitch Perfect mixed with Camp Rock 2. I don't know how or why this movie is so good...but it is. It's a little goofy, but it's also one of the only musicals Barbie has recently(-ish) put out that I think actually has some nice music! It's got two interesting main characters, a princess and a popstar, who accidentally end up at opposite camps designed for their talents. Essentially, the princess reveals she can sing and write songs, and the popstar learns some humility and how to work in a team setting. The storyline is pretty predictable, but the music is pretty catchy, and it feels like something Disney Channel would produce if not for the Barbie animation. Overall, it's pretty fun, and the backstory between the two who run the camp is pretty entertaining too.

13. Barbie in a Fashion Fairytale (2010)

Mattel

While this might not be everyone's favorite, you've got to admit Fashion Fairytale is a fun watch! Fashion design montages, Ken's desperate trip to Paris, a wacky aunt with 80 different hobbies, a weird side plot about dog romance, and so-called "flairies"? There's a lot to take in! While the flairies can be a bit annoying, this movie is honestly pretty funny, especially when it cuts back to Ken's awful travel adventures, and idiotic punk-style villains. The music is pretty solid, and it has a couple fun nods to Barbie's other movies, and talks about her career as an actress (which means that there might actually be a BCU (Barbie Cinematic Universe)?)

12. Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)

Mattel

This movie is beautiful but it is absolutely wild. Twelve rambunctious princesses set out to thwart their evil stepmother before she poisons their father to take his throne... and they use the power of dance magic. Yes, the scene where the girls discover the hidden portal to the underground dance pavilion is nothing short of magical, and the theme song is absolutely gorgeous, but you might not remember the talking parrot or how their plan in the end is to literally dance their stepmother to death (pretty metal if you ask me). Overall, it has a very cool aesthetic, but it's a pretty out-there premise. (Let me know which of the sisters was your favorite in the comments!)

11. Barbie: Mermaidia (2006)

Mattel

To be completely honest, Mermaidia is absolutely WILD. It follows a sassy (and sometimes outright rude) mermaid and a naïve, friendly fairy as they try to save their collective crush from an evil fairy with terrifying henchmen. The gay tension is off the charts in this movie, and by the end, you might just hope Nori and Elina end up together and forget about Prince Nalu. This was one of my favorites growing up, but the chaotic presence of puffball — and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. lookalike — Bibble, specifically in the berry-eating scene, still scars me to this day (iykyk).

10. Barbie in a Mermaid Tale (2010)

Mattel

🎶 She's the queen of the waa-aa-aaves! 🎶 You truly weren't a Mermaid Tale fan unless you tried to learn the choreography to this song. Not only does this movie have one of the *most* recognizable Barbie songs, but it also has a pretty chill protagonist, and is the only movie (along with its sequel) to feature Australian characters! It has a great message, a great soundtrack, and also, a pretty normal plotline (which can't be said for every Barbie film).

9. Barbie in the Pink Shoes (2013)

Mattel

If you haven't seen this movie, drop everything and go watch it. It's literally one of the funniest Barbie movies, and acknowledges fairytale tropes throughout its entire runtime — and we love to see it. It features a set of best friends who are accidentally transported into multiple famous fantasy ballet worlds. I know that sounds far-fetched, but it's so enjoyable. As the two try to find a way out, they learn more about themselves, and yes, in the real world, ignoring choreography isn't a wise choice, but nothing's wrong with telling kids to follow their hearts, right?

8. Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009)

Mattel

This might be a hot take, but this movie is amazing. It's actually my personal favorite, but I know it has its problems, so that's why it isn't No. 1. It's probably Barbie's most feminist movie, and its side characters are so much fun! There's a plot to stop a murder, a very 2000s battle scene, and a cover of "Unbelievable" by Brie Larson that slaps to no end. Is it a masterpiece? Nope. But it is pretty fun to watch a group of multi-talented ladies team up to save a prince from being literally killed on the dance floor.

7. Barbie in Swan Lake (2003)

Mattel

This movie is undeniably good. Beautiful ballet music, an enchanted forest of friendly creatures, and a cute romance make for a very sweet story featuring one of my favorite Barbie dresses (and Odette's sparkly dance number). While the villains can be a little annoying (looking at you, Odile), it's still got a pretty strong storyline, and it DEFINITELY delivers on meme-able moments.

6. Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005)

Mattel

I'll be honest, I kinda forgot this movie existed, but upon rewatch, it is SO MUCH FUN. An evil sorcerer, a sister-turned-horse, an actually likable love interest, and a main character that's athletic, brave, and outspoken? Sign me up! Not to mention the music is brilliant, and the credits are sung by none other than Brie Larson! It's one of the faster-paced Barbie movies, and even though it's pretty bizarre, it holds up as one of the more fun, adventurous stories. Plus, did I mention the protagonist shows flaws, and learns from her mistakes (which is BARELY seen in other Barbie characters)? Overall, a wild but entertaining romp through a wintry kingdom!

5. Barbie as Rapunzel (2002)

Mattel

Step back, Tangled! Barbie as Rapunzel did it first (and in a couple of ways, actually did it better)! Not only is Gothel given a whole dramatic backstory, but Rapunzel and some of her tower friends are given their own backstories too! This movie has so many great things: an inspiring message about honesty and courage, an awesome dress transformation sequence, and a mysterious war between two kingdoms! And let's be real: we ALL wanted a magical portal-making paintbrush.

4. Barbie: Princess Charm School (2011)

Mattel / Via royalfairytale.tumblr.com

This choice might be a little controversial, but Princess Charm School is absolutely underrated! Sure, it's INCREDIBLY 2000s, but that's part of it's charm (see what I did there?), and it also features some really great bops! Not to mention, this is one of the only Barbie films with an actual revealed murder plot for the villain, which is pretty wild for a children's film based on marketable dolls. Anyway, Charm School has some really sweet messages and moments, and the mystery aspect makes it all the more enjoyable (especially for people who didn't love Portia).

3. Barbie in the Diamond Castle (2008)

Mattel

Widely acclaimed as the gayest Barbie movie of all time (and perhaps the blueprint of cottagecore aesthetic), Barbie in the Diamond Castle follows two flower shop owners on an exciting (and pretty high-stakes) adventure to save their new friend from an evil woman with an enchanted flute. Along the way, the girls perform in a tavern, outsmart an ogre, meet a pair of sarcastic twins, and of course, adopt two adorable puppies — all before saving their new friend and bringing back a giant (you guessed it) Diamond Castle. Not to mention, the music also SLAPS.

2. Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004)

Mattel

It isn't No. 1, but it's pretty dang close! Princess and the Pauper has it all: likable animal sidekicks, amazing musical numbers, a villain voiced by Martin Short, and of course, a pretty compelling plot! It's hard not to have a good time watching this movie, and if Mattel really wanted to, they could make this into a stage musical. I mean, have you listened to "I Am a Girl Like You"?

1. Barbie: Star Light Adventure (2016)

Mattel

I can already hear the early 2000s Barbie movie stans yelling in the comments! However, in my honest opinion, Barbie: Star Light Adventure, released in 2016, is the *best* Barbie movie of all time. It's beautifully animated, features a fun cast of characters, and of course, has the signature Barbie movie gay tension between protagonists Barbie and Sal-Lee. It's super cute, and it's a movie with actual stakes (aka the fate of the entire universe) and great music! It's got a great message, it's in OUTER SPACE, and again...it's so pretty.

Do you agree with my ranking? Which movie is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!