NEW YORK – The blockbuster film Barbie has topped US$1 billion (S$1.34 billion) in box-office ticket sales worldwide since its July 21 debut, Warner Bros Pictures, a unit of Warner Bros Discovery, announced on Sunday.

Reuters reported that Warner Bros said in a statement that the fantasy-comedy movie has taken in US$459 million from domestic theatres – counting the United States and Canada – and another US$572.1 million overseas since it hit theatres, for a total of US$1.03 billion. The figure was confirmed by media analytics firm Comscore.

Oscar-nominated Barbie writer and director Greta Gerwig also became the first female film-maker to surpass the US$1 billion benchmark as a solo director, Warner Bros said. This was the third weekend in theatres for the Barbie movie.

“As distribution chiefs, we’re not often rendered speechless by a film’s performance, but ‘Barbillion’ has blown even our most optimistic predictions out of the water,” said Mr Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros Pictures, and Mr Andrew Cripps, president of international distribution, in a statement.

Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and her boyfriend Ken, the movie sends Mattel Inc’s iconic doll on an adventure into the real world.

According to Reuters, Barbie ticket sales rank second in 2023 to The Super Mario Bros Movie, which was released in April and has earned a total of US$1.36 billion at the box office.

Meanwhile, Gosling, 42, sent Gerwig a Barbie- and Ken-themed flash mob for the director’s 40th birthday last Friday.

A video showing her surprise was shared on the Barbie film’s official Instagram page. “As Kens know, sometimes the only way to express your feelings is through song and dance,” the caption read.

Gerwig, who appeared to be in a pilates studio, burst into laughter when the performers started singing Gosling’s ballad I’m Just Ken, followed by Dua Lipa’s Dance The Night. Both songs are from the Barbie film.

“That was so beautiful,” said Gerwig at the end.