When Will Barbie be Streaming?

The Film: Barbie (2023)

Director: Greta Gerwig

Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, John Cena, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir

Opening Date: July 21, 2023 (Wide)

The Studio: Warner Bros.

The Forecast: BARBIE is a tough one. When the film was first announced, it was met with the kind of eye rolls THE LEGO MOVIE received before anyone had seen it. But just as that movie overcame its corporate/product/IP skepticism, BARBIE has now conquered the summer to become one the critical and commercial hits of the year.

It’s a long time coming for Warner Bros., who have endured several expensive flops in the last year. As each of the films underperformed, they were quickly shuffled to PVOD. Let’s take a look at the windows for WB’s 2023 slate so far:

• HOUSE PARTY

  • In Theaters: January 13, 2023

  • PVOD: January 31, 2023 (18 Days Post-Theatrical)

  • HBO Max: March 3, 2023 (49 Days)

• MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE

  • In Theaters: February 10, 2023

  • PVOD: February 28, 2023 (18 Days)

  • HBO Max: June 2, 2023 (112 Days)

• SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS

  • In Theaters: March 17, 2023

  • PVOD: April 7, 2023 (21 Days)

  • Max: May 23, 2023 (67 Days)

• EVIL DEAD RISE

  • In Theaters: April 21, 2023

  • PVOD: May 9, 2023 (18 Days)

  • Max: June 23, 2023 (63 Days)

• THE FLASH

  • In Theaters: June 16, 2023

  • PVOD: July 18, 2023 (32 Days)

  • Max: TBA

We see from these releases that Warner Bros. is much more flexible with their windowing. Unlike other studios, they’ve haven’t stuck with 18-day PVOD (like Universal), or settled on 60/90-day PVOD/SVOD (like Disney). With the exception of EVIL DEAD RISES, all of Warner Bros.’s 2023 films have been seen as box-office disappointments. And even EVIL DEAD was fast-tracked to streaming.

So now they have a hit. A big hit. What will they do with BARBIE?

One indication that they still might be willing to pull the trigger on a shortened window is how they have priced it for digital pre-sale. Films that are released on digital in a PVOD window (18-45 days post-theatrical) are usually priced at a premium ($24.99 sale/$19.99 rental). Films released later (46-60 days post theatrical) are pre-order priced for sale-only (usually $19.99). BARBIE is currently available for pre-order at $24.99.

We’re guessing Warner Bros. will not want to go to PVOD as quickly as its other 2023 titles, not even the 32 days it gave THE FLASH. The film is likely to continue earn big money in theaters through Labor Day. We’re thinking 45-days might just be the sweet spot for BARBIE.

Our Estimate (Just for fun, please don’t yell at us if/when we’re wrong)

PVOD Release Date: September 5, 2023

Max Release Date: November, 2023 (Thanksgiving?)