box office and theater
The Highest Grossing Film of 2023: ‘Barbie’ Premieres for Digital Ownership and Rental
“Experience the record-breaking success of ‘Barbie,’ the highest grossing film of 2023, now available for digital ownership and rental.”
Last Updated on September 7, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Barbie as the highest-grossing film of 2023, “Barbie,” makes its highly anticipated debut for digital ownership and rental on September 12. Directed by the talented Greta Gerwig and featuring an all-star cast, this global phenomenon has taken the box office by storm, surpassing $1.38 billion worldwide. Let’s dive into the details of this extraordinary cinematic achievement.
A Record-Breaking Success:
“Barbie” has shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing film in Warner Bros. Pictures’ century-long history. Its phenomenal success is a testament to the captivating storytelling and the incredible performances by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who bring the iconic characters of Barbie and Ken to life. As the highest-grossing film ever from a female filmmaker at the domestic box office, “Barbie” has made history and paved the way for more female-driven narratives in Hollywood.
The Journey to Barbie Land:
In “Barbie,” viewers are transported to Barbie Land, a world of perfection and wonder. However, even in this idyllic setting, existential crises and the struggles of Ken add depth and relatability to the story. With Greta Gerwig’s directorial prowess, the film strikes a balance between fantasy and introspection, creating a truly unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.
Digital Release Details:
On September 12, “Barbie” will be available for early Premium Digital Ownership at home for $29.99, allowing fans to own this cinematic masterpiece. Additionally, a 48-hour rental option via PVOD will be available for $24.99 on popular digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, and Vudu, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
An All-Star Cast:
Apart from Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, “Barbie” boasts an impressive ensemble cast. America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell bring their talents to this extraordinary production. The film also features Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Emma Mackey, Helen Mirren, and many other talented actors, making “Barbie” a true celebration of cinematic excellence.
“Barbie” is not just a film; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. With its record-breaking success and the visionary direction of Greta Gerwig, this film has set a new standard for storytelling and representation. As it arrives for digital ownership and rental on September 12, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the magic of Barbie Land from the comfort of their homes. Don’t miss this chance to embark on an unforgettable journey with Barbie and Ken—get ready to be dazzled!
About “Barbie”
From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”) comes “Barbie,” starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (“Bombshell,” “I, Tonya”) and Ryan Gosling (“La La Land,” “Half Nelson”) as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera (“End of Watch,” the “How to Train Your Dragon” films), Kate McKinnon (“Bombshell,” “Yesterday”), Issa Rae (“The Photograph,” “Insecure”), Rhea Perlman (“I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “Matilda”), and Will Ferrell (the “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights”). The film also stars Michael Cera (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Juno”), Ariana Greenblatt (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “65”), Ana Cruz Kayne (“Little Women”), Emma Mackey (“Emily,” “Sex Education”), Hari Nef (“Assassination Nation,” “Transparent”), Alexandra Shipp (the “X-Men” films), Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami,” “Peaky Blinders”), Simu Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), Ncuti Gatwa (“Sex Education”), Scott Evans (“Grace and Frankie”), Jamie Demetriou (“Cruella”), Connor Swindells (“Sex Education,” “Emma.”), Sharon Rooney (“Dumbo,” “Jerk”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton,” “Derry Girls”), Ritu Arya (“The Umbrella Academy”), Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dua Lipa and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”).
Gerwig directed “Barbie” from a screenplay by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” “The Squid and the Whale”), based on Barbie by Mattel. The film’s producers are Oscar nominees David Heyman (“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood,” “Marriage Story,” “Gravity”), Robbie (“Birds of Prey,” “Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya”), Tom Ackerley (“Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya”) and Robbie Brenner (“Dallas Buyers Club”), with Gerwig, Baumbach, Ynon Kreiz, Richard Dickson, Michael Sharp, Josey McNamara, Courtenay Valenti, Toby Emmerich and Cate Adams serving as executive producers.
Gerwig’s creative team behind the camera included Oscar-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (“The Irishman,” “Silence,” “Brokeback Mountain”), Oscar-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Anna Karenina”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”), editor Nick Houy (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”), visual effects supervisor Glen Pratt (“Paddington 2,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and music supervisor George Drakoulias (“White Noise,” “Marriage Story”), with a score by Oscar winners Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt (“A Star Is Born”), who also contributed to numerous songs on the film’s soundtrack. The soundtrack includes an impressive roster of today’s hottest music artists, including Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua, Charli XCX, KAROL G feat. Aldo Ranks, Tame Impala, Dominic Fike, HAIM, The Kid LAROI, Khalid, PinkPantheress, GAYLE, Ava Max, FIFTY FIFTY and more.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Heyday Films Production, a LuckyChap Entertainment Production, an NB/GG Pictures Production, a Mattel Production, “Barbie.” The film is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
About Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales
Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales (WBDCS) is one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming, bringing award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions across North America. Licensing content from Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, HBO, Discovery, Cartoon Network, TBS, and more, WBDCS brings fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s content even more ways to watch when and how they want across streaming, video-on-demand, cable, satellite and broadcast networks, local television stations, airlines and through digital purchases and physical media sales.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com.
SOURCE Warner Bros. Home Entertainment/ PR Newswire
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animation
Ariel Award-Winning Animated Short ‘SHIMMER’ Makes Its Digital Debut on Short of the Week
Ariel Award-winning animated short SHIMMER by director Andrés Palma premieres on Short of the Week. A stunning exploration of fatherhood and regret created with Unreal Engine 5. Watch now.
Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Ariel Award-Winning Animated Short ‘SHIMMER’ Makes Its Digital Debut on Short of the Week
A haunting tale of fatherhood, obsession, and redemption comes to life through groundbreaking animation technology The world of independent animation just got a stunning new addition. Director Andrés Palma’s SHIMMER, an Ariel Award-winning animated short film, premiered December 8th on Short of the Week, the premier destination for curated short film content reaching millions of viewers worldwide.A Father’s Dream, A Daughter’s Pain
Set against a desolate shoreline littered with the skeletal remains of forgotten shipwrecks, SHIMMER tells the emotionally charged story of Ricardo, a father whose single-minded obsession with building a towering lighthouse blinds him to the emotional wreckage he’s creating within his own family. As he chases what he believes will be salvation, his eldest daughter Lucía grows increasingly resentful—until her choices force Ricardo to face the devastating consequences of his dreams. “Every project that matters to me comes from a place of unresolved emotion,” Palma explains. “Art is how I process pain and transform it into something meaningful. I trust the audience will resonate with that.” This isn’t just animation—it’s personal healing rendered in light and shadow.Gizmodo Premieres Award-Winning Animated Short ShimmerLink to related article: https://stmdailynews.com/gizmodo-premieres-award-winning-animated-short-shimmer/
Technical Brilliance Meets Emotional Depth
Short of the Week’s managing editor Rob Munday didn’t hold back in his praise: “A genuinely compelling, high-quality piece of 3D animation, marked by beautiful design work, strong character rigging, and impressive world-building. There’s tremendous potential here – it’s an exciting calling card for its creators.” What sets SHIMMER apart technically is its innovative use of Unreal Engine 5, blending retro-futuristic aesthetics with cutting-edge visual design. The film’s most striking visual element—ethereal fish that shimmer across the night sky—was created using the Niagara particle system, merging procedural motion with hand-crafted animation cycles to achieve something that feels both organic and otherworldly.A Collaborative Vision
Marking Palma’s directorial debut, SHIMMER benefits from powerhouse executive producers including celebrated Mexican animator Jorge R. Gutiérrez (The Book of Life, Maya and the Three) and Andrés Buzo. The film was developed through a groundbreaking collaboration between professionals and students at Mexico City’s Escena Animation Studio, the project-based learning arm of Escena Animation School. The creative team includes associate producer Karla Vazquez, co-writer Santiago Maza Stern, and composer Alex Otaola—a collective effort that proves the power of mentorship and collaborative storytelling.
Why This Matters for Independent Animation
SHIMMER represents more than just another festival darling. It’s proof that independent creators with vision, backed by the right collaborators and technology, can produce work that rivals major studio productions. The film is currently being considered for FYC (For Your Consideration) in the Best Animated Short Film category—and based on its technical achievement and emotional resonance, it’s easy to see why. For audiences hungry for animation that dares to explore complex emotional territory while pushing visual boundaries, SHIMMER delivers on both fronts. It’s a meditation on the cost of obsession, the weight of parental expectations, and the possibility of redemption—all wrapped in visuals that haunt long after the credits roll.Watch Now
SHIMMER is now streaming exclusively on Short of the Week at ShortOfTheWeek.com/2025/12/08/shimmer For more information about the film and its creators:- Official Film Website: ShimmerShort.com
- Director’s Website: AndresPalma.com
- Follow the journey: @ShimmerShort, @Andres.Palma.c, @EscuelaEscena
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Entertainment
North Carolina Education Lottery Partners with Cineplex Digital Media for New Digital Signage Program at 1500+ Retail Locations
North Carolina Education Lottery Partners with Cineplex Digital Media (CNW Group/Cineplex)
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Community
Moana 2: dazzling sequel redefines the Disney princess with strength, independence and leadership
Last Updated on November 30, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Laura O’Flanagan, Dublin City University
Moana 2
Moana isn’t a typical Disney heroine, stating quite clearly in the latest instalment, Moana 2, that she is not a princess. Her friend Maui’s response – “Well, a lot of people think you are” – elicited knowing laughter from the audience when I saw the film. This shows just how much Moana has redefined what it means to be a Disney princess.
Unconcerned with traditional tropes like ballgowns and romance, Moana embodies strength, independence and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. She powerfully demonstrates how human action can effect real environmental healing and transformation; through collaborating with the forces of nature, the world can be saved from environmental catastrophe.
In Moana 2, her commitment to protecting the Earth again takes centre stage – but this time going even further to deliver a powerful call for collective action, to restore environmental harmony and strengthen human interconnectedness. Answering the call of her ancestors, Moana sets out on a treacherous ocean voyage to ensure the survival of her island against the wishes of Nalo, a powerful storm god who is determined that humans should remain isolated from one another.
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Moana, of course, shares several traits with earlier Disney princesses. Like Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Jasmine from Aladdin, she dreams of a life beyond the confines of her immediate world. Similar to Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Mulan, she sets off on a dangerous adventure far from home. And like all the princesses before her, Moana has animal companions – Pua the pig and Hei-Hei the chicken. But what sets Moana apart is how her connection to nature is portrayed.
Disney has a long legacy of linking its princesses with nature, from Snow White and Cinderella, who recruit small animals to assist with their domestic chores, to Elsa in Frozen who can magically control ice and snow. But Moana’s relationship with the natural world is more than just symbolic interaction. Her bond with nature is an active, collaborative partnership. https://www.youtube.com/embed/qkgkUCqEum4?wmode=transparent&start=0
This is not a typical Disney princess story of self-discovery, but of active engagement with the world around her. In the first film, Moana embarks on a dangerous oceanic journey to “restore the heart of Te Fiti” – that is, repair the environmental damage caused by the trickster demi-god Maui and restore harmony to the natural world. In doing so, she sets her island and the Disney princess in a new direction.
In the sequel, Moana is more mature, more experienced as a wayfinder, and is a highly respected member of her island community. This new story sees her lead a group of fellow islanders on a voyage to find the lost island of Motufetu and reconnect isolated island communities across the ocean. Through this, she demonstrates the power of collective action. She partners with human and non-human entities in pursuit of these goals, which will lead to better environmental outcomes and greater human connection.
Instead of simply reacting to or passively experiencing nature, as many of her Disney predecessors have, Moana works with forces of nature including the ocean, which is a key character in both films. Unlike typical 3D animation processes, where water is created through automated particle simulations, Disney artists have animated the ocean in Moana as a character, giving it more human-like movement and personality.
This approach allows the ocean to become a true partner in Moana’s journey, guiding her and actively engaging with her in meaningful ways as she restores balance to the environment and connects isolated island communities.
This is a visually stunning sequel that recaptures and builds on the magic of the first film, and should be seen on a large screen. Dazzling artistry fills every frame – in particular, bioluminescent sea life is spectacularly rendered. Polynesian culture is represented in more detail, with traditional rituals, dancing, artwork and singing giving the film a weightier authenticity.
As a musical, the songs are not initially quite as catchy as in the first film, but time will tell if they resonate with audiences. The characters have grown since we last encountered them. Moana flourishes in her role as both a leader and a protector of the Earth. We also see her develop into the role of “big sister” – to her younger sibling Simea and, symbolically, to all who she encounters.
There are heartfelt callbacks to the first film as we see Moana share her knowledge of the ocean and pass on the wisdom she has received from her grandmother, now in spirit, who is portrayed beautifully onscreen in human form and as a manta ray. Moana’s relationship with the egotistical Maui is again a source of comedy, but now contains an emotional depth that comes from a platonic friendship with roots.
Through Moana, we have moved into a new era of the Disney princess. Physically strong and fit, a skilled navigator and blossoming leader, she is a heroine on screen and in the world of the film, where she is depicted on decorative tapa cloths alongside gods and myths. She announces herself as “Moana of the land and of the sea”.
In her seminal work Feminism and The Mastery of Nature, ecofeminist and environmental philosopher Val Plumwood wrote:
If we are to survive into a liveable future, we must take into our own hands the power to create, restore and explore different stories, with new main characters, better plots, and at least the possibility of some happy endings.
Through stories of human interconnectedness, ecological harmony and respect for the natural world, Disney’s Moana 2 appears to be doing just that.
Laura O’Flanagan, PhD Candidate in the School of English, Dublin City University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/
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