“Barbie” will finally make its streaming debut on Max starting December 15 after spending months dominating the box office and the premium VOD charts. It arrives just in time for all your holiday viewing and for awards season voters to give it another look before the end of the year.
“Barbie” will also launch on Max with a special American Sign Language (ASL) version of the film, which features ASL performer Leila Hanaumi signing along throughout the movie. Hanaumi is known for Deaf Austin Theatre’s “The Laramie Project” and an ASL cover for Tove Lo’s music video for the song “True Romance.” You can find it on Max as a standalone title on the streamer as identified with the sign language symbol in its key art.
In addition to the new version of the film, Hanaumi will be joined on stage in conversation with Margot Robbie for a screening in Los Angeles on December 14 as hosted by LA’s Deaf West Theater and RespectAbility.
“Max is the premiere destination for storytelling, so being able to share the biggest movie of the year in ASL, the first language for many, will make this story resonate in a more meaningful way,” said Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content. “By offering sign language interpretation, we will build upon the film’s empowering message of inclusiveness and offer a unique viewing experience for the Deaf community to enjoy with family and friends.”
“Barbie” made over $1.4 billion worldwide since it opened in theaters back in July. “Barbie” has also predictably been a hit on PVOD, where it spent weeks at #1 on the iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play charts beginning on September 12 despite a $24.99 price tag. The film starring Margot Robbie ultimately spent 53 days exclusively in theaters before hitting streaming, and it will now be another three months from that launch before finally offering it for free to Max subscribers.
Still unclear is when “Oppenheimer,” the other half of the “Barbenheimer” craze from this summer, will start streaming on Peacock. Christopher Nolan held out even longer with the theatrical window for his summer hit, as it still doesn’t hit Blu-ray or PVOD until November 21.
“Barbie” though has had no trouble staying in the conversation, and it didn’t hurt that everyone you knew dressed as some version of Ken this Halloween. Co-writer Noah Baumbach revealed at a screening of “Barbie” late last month that he originally “thought it was a terrible idea and Greta signed me up for it.” He also revealed at a separate event just how much they managed to get away with in the film, save for a studio note wondering why a Mattel executive needed to be shot. “Barbie” also last month landed a nomination from the Gotham Awards for Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken.
Max is currently available for $9.99/month with ads included, and $15.99/month for the standard ad-free plan.
