Barbie is set to make her animated debut in a new feature film by Illumination.

      It's been nearly two years since Barbie took the spotlight in pop culture with her film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie. Now, she is making a return with a new project, this time in animated form.

      According to a new report from Deadline, Barbie is set to be adapted again by Illumination. The movie will be released by Universal Pictures, which has an exclusive finance and distribution deal with Illumination.

      Neither Illumination, Universal, nor Mattel has provided any comments, leaving details about the storyline or the creative teams involved undisclosed.

      Since her cinematic debut in 2001, Barbie has been featured in a variety of animated films that have charmed audiences globally. With over 40 animated movies to her name, the character boasts a rich narrative history.

      Barbie's early films were heavily inspired by classic fairy tales and ballet, including titles like Barbie in the Nutcracker, Barbie as Rapunzel, and Barbie of Swan Lake. More contemporary iterations have included films like Barbie: Princess Charm School and Barbie: A Perfect Christmas.

      In 2023, Barbie saw tremendous success with its live-action adaptation. Released by Warner Bros., the film earned over $1.44 billion globally. It received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Original Song.

      About EJ Moreno: EJ Moreno is a film and television critic as well as an entertainment writer who became part of the pop culture website Flickering Myth in 2018. He now serves as the executive producer of Flickering Myth TV, a YouTube channel boasting over 27,000 subscribers. With more than ten years of experience, he is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and a member of the Critics Choice Association and GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.