Top 20 Barbie Easter Eggs You Missed
#20: Proust Barbie
As Mattel attempts to put Barbie back in a box, the smell triggers a Proustian flashback. Although Lucy Boynton plays Proust Barbie, no such doll exists in reality. However, there once lived a French novelist named Marcel Proust. This line specifically references “Swann’s Way,” the first volume of Proust’s novel “In Search of Lost Time,” aka “Remembrance of Things Past.” In the story, the taste of madeleine cake sends the narrator back to childhood. Greta Gerwig called this “a nice Easter egg for one person.” Ironically, one person who would’ve gotten the reference was Robert Oppenheimer, who was a fan of Proust’s work. And with one obscure joke, “Barbenheimer” comes full circle.
#19: Pegasus on the Beach
This may be the first live-action “Barbie” movie, but the character has been starring in animated films for over two decades. One of the first not to be based on a pre-existing story was “Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus” from 2005. In that film, the titular pegasus is Princess Brietta, who was transformed into a winged horse after rejecting a marriage proposal. The spell is lifted with help from Princess Annika, played by Barbie. Brietta and Annika might not have prominent roles in the live-action film. On the beach, however, you can spot a sculpture resembling a familiar pegasus. This nod to the 2005 feature reminds us that the previous “Barbie” movies ran so that this one could fly… just like a pegasus!
#18: Barbie’s Birthday
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Every number tells a story. With Barbie behind the wheel, the car’s odometer reads, “030959.” Nothing is random in Greta Gerwig’s film, and this number is no exception. The first Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. This date is thus considered Barbie’s official birthday. The odometer number pays homage to Barbie’s debut, but it subtly ties into the film’s themes as well. Stereotypical Barbie has been around for over 60 years. However, it isn’t until she develops the desire to become human that Barbie is truly given the chance to live. In that sense, the odometer reflects Barbie’s initial genesis and her rebirth into a fully fleshed-out human being. It’s a personal journey full of emotional mileage.
#17: BAX
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Driving past the local airport, Barbie salutes the pilot mid-takeoff. The airport is cleverly named BAX, a reference to LAX. Since Barbieland is essentially a pinker Malibu, it’s only fitting that the airport would be modeled after a Los Angeles staple. Yet, the fact that Barbieland has an airport raises a few questions. For starters, where is the plane flying to? Do Barbieland inhabitants regularly take trips that require air travel? Can you reach the real world with a plane or do you have to take the scenic route via car, boat, rocket, bike, and snowmobile? Is the plane actually going anywhere or is Pilot Barbie just taking a joy ride around Barbieland? For such a small easter egg, it carries a lot of baggage.
#16: Not in Barbieland Anymore
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Greta Gerwig has made it no secret that “The Wizard of Oz” was a key inspiration for her film, wanting to capture the Technicolor classic’s “authentically artificial” aesthetic. Gerwig pays homage as Barbie drives past a movie theater. With posters featuring Dorothy, the Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, as well as an Emerald City backdrop, is there any question what’s playing? The plot also parallels “Oz” as Barbie heads down a colorful road, goes over the rainbow, and finds herself in a new land. Instead of going from Kansas to Oz, “Barbie” pulls a reversal, trading the fantastical Barbieland for the real world. It might not be as vibrant as Barbieland, but there is a magic to the real world, becoming Barbie’s new home.
#15: Hidden B’s
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Here’s a fun challenge for cinephiles and mathematicians: try counting every B hidden in this movie. Even Gerwig doesn’t seem to know the exact number off the top of her head, although she told Variety, “There must be thousands of B’s everywhere because they also have like designs in the carpet.” In addition to the carpet, the letter logo has been etched into clothing, accessories, walls, magazines, flags, doors, door handles, mailbox handles, ticket booths… the list goes on in what must be some kind of record. As for Gerwig’s favorite hidden B, she slyly said, “I can’t tell it. But I know it.”
#14: Ruth Handler’s Tax Troubles
This movie doesn’t shy away from Barbie’s most notorious moments, including creator Ruth Handler’s legal problems. When Barbie meets her literal maker, Handler seems like such a wholesome figure. Crossing paths again, Handler acknowledges that even she’s not perfect. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, Handler alludes to 1975 when the SEC investigated Mattel’s financial misstatements. Handler was forced to resign as Mattel’s president. Jump ahead three years, Handler and several others at Mattel were indicted for conspiracy, mail fraud, and false financial reporting. Pleading no contest, Handler was fined $57,000 and received 2,500 community service hours. Despite this scandal, Handler solidified herself as an inspirational figure not just through Barbie, but her advocacy for breast cancer awareness as well.
#13: Hitting All the Right Musical Notes
Even when nobody is singing, Barbie’s world is like a musical. She wakes up wearing a pink bow, looking like Catherine Deneuve in “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.” Barbie’s trek up the stairs to Weird Barbie’s house is eerily similar to a scene in the dance drama, “The Red Shoes.” “I’m Just Ken” may be loaded with the most musical references. This scene is like a “West Side Story” rumble crossed with the fashion of “Grease Lightning.” The costumes and sound stage are also reminiscent of the “Broadway Melody” ballet from “Singin’ in the Rain.” There were just two things missing from the Gene Kelly classic: Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen, who can be heard playing guitar during the musical showdown.
#12: Sí Se Puede
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Ryan Piers Williams makes a cameo as Gloria’s husband. Not a huge stretch considering that Williams is married to America Ferrera in real life. In the film the most notable part of his character is his ongoing effort to improve his Spanish. This has a few different translations, including, “Yes, it is possible,” “Yes, we can,” and “It can be done.” The saying is primarily associated with activist groups like the United Farm Workers of America, but it has personal ties to Ferrera as well. The motto played a significant part in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Gotta Kick It Up!,” which marked one of Ferrera’s earliest starring roles. Along with Eva Longoria, Ferrera also started She Se Puede, a digital lifestyle community to support Latinas.
#11: Four Bratz
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When Barbie first encounters Sasha and her three friends, she finds that they aren’t very nice. You might even say that they’re acting like brats - and in more ways than one. It’s probably not a coincidence that the friends look like the original four Bratz dolls, one of whom was even named Sasha. When the Bratz first hit the scene in 2001, Barbie was the domineering force in the fashion doll industry. Within a few years, though, Bratz had not only taken up almost 40% of the market, but the toy line managed to outsell Barbie in some areas. We suppose Barbie got the last laugh, as Bratz also tried producing a live-action film that… well, let’s just say it could’ve used more Greta Gerwig.
#10: Gloria Made a Weird Barbie… Weird
Four years after calling Margot Robbie “Anchor Barbie” in “Bombshell,” Kate McKinnon finds herself playing Weird Barbie. It’s revealed later in the film that Robbie’s Barbie has become the plaything of America Ferrera’s Gloria. In a flashback, a link between Gloria and Weird Barbie is also hinted at. As a little girl draws on Weird Barbie’s face, cuts her hair, and splits her legs, Scrabble pieces spelling out the name Gloria can be spotted on a pole. Gloria mentions that she had a Weird Barbie growing up. It appears that McKinnon’s character is the same Barbie that Gloria played too hard with. Considering that Gloria conceived Thoughts of Impending Death Barbie, we’re not surprised that she got weird with her toys as a kid.
#9: Ken’s Stallone Coat
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As Ryan Gosling’s Ken takes over Barbieland, he trades in the beach shorts for a boss fur coat. When people think of stereotypical masculinity, a fur jacket might not be the first thing that comes to mind. For someone who has based their new persona on Sylvester Stallone, though, Ken’s wardrobe choice makes perfect sense. In the real world, Ken discovers symbols of conventional manliness, from cowboy attire to “Rocky” posters adorning the walls of a gym. Rocky’s powerful image inspires Ken to reinvent himself with bling, gloves, and, of course, a fur coat - the same kind that Stallone wore during his peak of box office popularity. Given Ken’s newfound obsession with horses, it only makes sense that he would adopt the Italian Stalion’s look.
#8: 2001: A Toyetic Odyssey
Who would’ve thought that “Barbie” would introduce Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece to a new generation of cinephiles? “2001: A Space Odyssey” commences with a group of hominins using a bone as a tool for the first time. Likewise, Greta Gerwig’s film opens with the dawn of Barbie, the original 1959 doll serving as a monolith that captures the attention of little girls everywhere. The “2001” parallels don’t end with the opening of “Barbie.” “2001” concludes with the monolith resurfacing and David Bowman becoming The Star Child, marking the next turning point for humanity. “Barbie” is also about evolution as the titular character grows from an idea to a fleshed-out individual. By the final scene, Barbie is no longer a doll, but a human being.
#7: A Different Kind of Playtime
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“Barbie” is loaded with nods to other iconic movies like “The Matrix.” Yet, Gerwig also draws inspiration from classic films that might not be as iconic to the average viewer. One such example is the 1967 comedy “Playtime.” Constructing a huge practical set, the aesthetic of Jacques Tati’s film is otherworldly. Yet, you could still imagine many of these locales existing in our world. The cubicles that make up an office are simultaneously mundane and whimsical. The same can be said about the cubicles at Mattel’s headquarters in “Barbie.” In both films, the cubicle backdrops seem bleak on the surface, but they also carry a maze-like sentiment. It’s the ideal middle ground between business and playtime, which is precisely how we envision a Mattel office.
#6: Tanner Makes a Mess
The filmmakers aren’t afraid to look back at certain moments throughout Barbie’s history and ask, “What were they thinking?” Enter Tanner the dog. Barbie has owned a few canine pals over the years, but Tanner stood out for two reasons. 1) Barbie could feed this dog. 2) Tanner could turn dog treats into chocolate nuggets. Potty training is the most unappealing part of having a pet. Why did Mattel think a pooper scooper and trash bin would be fun accessories for Barbie? Not only was the idea flawed, but the loose magnets on the scoopers posed a safety issue, resulting in more than 680,000 Barbie-Tanner playsets being recalled. We guess that’s why Tanner now lives with Weird Barbie. Outsiders gotta stick together.
#5: Nostalgic Barbie Outfits & Accessories
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Barbie has been a fashion icon ever since debuting her zebra-striped swimsuit and sunglasses. In addition to her 1959 look, costume designer Jacqueline Durran pays homage to Barbie throughout the decades, reflecting the character’s endurance. From the disco jumpsuits of the 60s and 70s to the neon leotards of the 80s and 90s, Barbie has been there for every fashion trend. As vast as Barbie’s wardrobe is, her Dreamhouse’s garage must be even bigger. The film breaks out various vehicles you might’ve had growing up, such as the Barbie Space Discovery Rocket Ship, the Barbie DreamCamper Vehicle, the Barbie Sisters Snow Fun Snowmobile, the Barbie Dreamplane, and even the Barbie Care Clinic. We didn’t realize it until now, but our decor could use more pink.
#4: Mattel’s Female CEOs
Although Barbie is a flagship franchise for Mattel, the company’s leadership has been predominantly male. As Will Ferrell’s character points out, only a couple of women have held the CEO position during Mattel’s almost 80-year history. Barbie creator Ruth Handler co-founded Mattel, serving as president from 1945 to 1974. Fast-forward to 1997, Jill Barad became Mattel’s first female CEO, a position she held until 2000. Barad ultimately resigned due to the ill-conceived acquisition of The Learning Company. Mattel wouldn’t have another female CEO until 2017 when Margo Georgiadis accepted the job, although she’d leave after a year. Ferrell’s CEO acts as if this makes Mattel a diverse work environment, but it’s clear that even the people behind the scenes realize there’s progress to be made.
#3: The Bible Parallels
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Gerwig’s treatment for “Barbie” included an abstract poem inspired by the Apostles’ Creed. This was perhaps the first sign that the film would employ some biblical subtext. When Ruth Handler hands Barbie a cup of tea, Gerwig mimics Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam.” Gerwig was inspired by the story of Adam and Eve, although she reversed the roles with Barbie and Ken. According to the creation myth, God created Eve using one of Adam’s ribs so she could be his companion. Ken, meanwhile, was created after Barbie so that he could serve as her male counterpart. In that sense, Barbie is Adam, Ken is Eve, and Barbieland is the Garden of Eden. All that’s missing are a snake and an apple.
#2: The Woman on the Bench
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It was suggested that Gerwig cut the scene where Barbie is moved to tears upon meeting an elderly woman on a bench. Gerwig insisted on keeping this moment, and we’re glad she did. Not only does it tie into the film’s larger themes of life, but the scene shines the spotlight on one of our best costume designers. The woman is played by Ann Roth, who won Oscars for her work on “The English Patient” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Roth has been in the business for over 60 years, but “Barbie” marks her first acting credit. According to Gerwig, she has three friends in their 90s, Roth being one of them. Casting Roth in the role, Gerwig can’t imagine her film without this scene.
#1: Defunct Dolls
You can’t make this stuff up… and we assure you that the filmmakers didn’t. Mattel actually introduced a pregnant Midge doll, which some argued endorsed teen pregnancy. For a period, Midge was romantically paired with Ken’s friend, Alan. Does that mean Alan was the baby’s father? That thought is almost as disturbing as Growing Up Skipper, who grew up a little too fast in 1975. The controversy didn’t end there. Sugar Daddy Ken was a misguided attempt to attract adult consumers while Video Girl Barbie resulted in an FBI warning. But hey, at least Earring Magic Ken became a gay icon, even if that wasn’t the intention. You won’t find them on store shelves anymore, but these dolls will forever live in Barbieland… and eBay. Did you catch any other “Barbie” easter eggs? Do you have any idea what Gerwig’s favorite hidden B was? Sound off in the comments!
