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21 items

• 2001, a Space Odyssey

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  This one was about as obvious as an homage can be -- the girls breaking their dolls in the beginning is directly lifted from the apes in 2001.

• My Fair Lady

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  While BARBIE wasn't really referencing MY FAIR LADY, both movies draw direct inspiration from the story of Pygmalion where a manmade woman (doll/statue) is dreamt of coming to life. See if you can spot the similarities.

• The Philadelphia Story

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  Margot Robbie was explicitly told to act like Hepburn is in this film -- adored by all (especially men), but completely aloof and uninterested.

• Wizard of Oz

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  Not only is the movie playing at the theater in Barbieland, but there are some parallels of a young woman venturing to a fantasy world. Whether the viewer sees Barbieland or the real world as Oz is open to interpretation!

• Clueless

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  Barbie's futuristic closet is a nod to Cher's closet in CLUELESS.

• An American in Paris

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  Barbie’s mornings mimic how Gene Kelly’s character wakes up and gets ready in AMERICAN IN PARIS.

• The Truman Show

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  Director Greta Gerwig talked to TRUMAN SHOW director Peter Weir about how he shot his movie about a man unknowingly living on a reality TV set. Not only does Barbieland mimic the artificiality of The Truman Show in concept, but Gerwig and Weir…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The umbrellas of Cherbourg

  Les parapluies de Cherbourg

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  Gerwig has credited French filmmaker Jacques Demy with inspiring how she layered colors (particularly different shades of pink) in BARBIE so everything would pop instead of clash. UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT, and MODEL SHOP all…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Saturday Night Fever

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  The disco number at the beginning of the movie (which is briefly interrupted by Barbie querying her fellow dolls as to whether they ever have thoughts of death) is an homage to John Travolta’s dances in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, down to the costuming.

• The Red Shoes

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  Gerwig modeled the scene of Barbie walking up the stars to Weird Barbie’s abode on a scene from Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell’s 1948 romantic drama THE RED SHOES. The soundstage feel of that movie heavily influenced the look of Barbieland.

• The Matrix

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  Another obvious link -- Weird Barbie offering the "red pill / blue pill" choice.

• Remembrance of Things Past

  Proust, Marcel, 1871-1922

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  Yes, this is a book and not a movie. Sorry? If you want to fully appreciate the Proust joke and understand why Barbie was suddenly afraid to enter "the box," read this book.

• The Shining

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  At one point, Gloria's mental link with Barbie is referred to as "shining." This is the supernatural power Danny has in THE SHINING. As far as I know, BARBIE had no references to Room 237 or elevators of blood (unfortunately).

• Top Gun

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  The Beach Volleyball scene.

• Rocky

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  There wasn't a ROCKY reference, but I don't know how else to add this. When Ken embraces his "masculinity," he begins to dress like Sylvester Stallone. Is Stallone the manliest man of all man-time? You be the judge.

• Zack Snyder's Justice League

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  This movie is name-dropped. The joke is less about the movie and more about the "toxic" fanbase that pushed for it to be released.

• The Godfather

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  Similar to the JUSTICE LEAGUE, the joke is less about the film and more about how (stereotypical) men identify with the film and see it as a masterpiece. If you've had a movie mansplained to you, fair chance it was THE GODFATHER.

• Grease

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  You'd thin kthe reference would be Pink Ladies, but no -- it's the "beach off" dance number with all the Kens. The dance moves and outfits are clearly from the "Greased Lightning" musical number.

• West Side Story

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  Along with GREASE, does any movie have such a memorable "gang" rumble scene?

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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  The Kens ride imaginary horses.