Tag: margot robbie

Keep the ‘Barbenheimer’ Excitement Going With These 8 Podcast Deep Dives

July 31, 2023

The simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer was so widely anticipated that the internet gave the historic opening weekend a name: Barbenheimer. 

Barbie, written and directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie, brings the world’s favorite doll to life in a fantasy-filled, comedic adventure with an epic soundtrack. In an entirely different direction, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a three-hour biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. The combined debut was a success, bringing in more than $311 million for the fourth-highest-grossing opening weekend in U.S. history. And both movies generated existential questions that have left fans wanting more. 

Spotify’s Podcast Editorial team curated an evolving list of the best Barbie vs. Oppenheimer podcasts, which can be found under podcast browse. Take a listen to learn more about the business behind Barbie or the conspiracy theories that surround the Manhattan Project, or just sit back and hear people gush about Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken.

“Mattel Bets Big on Barbie” 

The Journal.

Spotify Studios 

After watching Barbie, many were left curious about Mattel’s unique role in the film. The Journal. is here to answer all your questions and then some. Robbie Brenner, Executive Producer at Mattel Films, discusses the challenges they faced while bringing the beloved Barbie doll to life in cinematic form. Plus, she shares some exciting news about what’s to come from Mattel Films (did somebody say Polly Pocket movie?). 

“The Manhattan Project” 

Conspiracy Theories 

Spotify Studios

This episode of Conspiracy Theories covers the true story of the top-secret military program that inspired Oppenheimer. Not only does the episode cover the official story in detail, but also all the captivating conspiracy theories it inspired—from aliens to a fluoride cover-up to a pagan cult. 

“The Enduring Appeal of Barbie” 

Into It: A Vulture Podcast with Sam Sanders

Vulture 

Barbie and fashion have always gone hand in hand. In this episode of Into It, host Sam Sanders sits down to talk all things Barbiecore with two fashion experts: Danya Issawi, fashion writer for New York Magazine and The Cut, and Darnell–Jamal Lisby, a fashion historian. Expect to hear some personal stories of what it was like for them to grow up with the doll that defines American girlhood.

“Christopher Nolan on ‘Oppenheimer,’ Mr.Cartoon on ‘Just My Imagination,’ Brooklyn Sudano on The Treat” 

The Treatment 

KCRW

Who better to hear from than the Oppenheimer filmmaker himself? On this episode of The Treatment, host Elvis Mitchell speaks to director and writer Christopher Nolan about his work. The pair discuss themes that run through Nolan’s work and are especially apparent in Oppenheimer, including “the danger of knowledge.”

“‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’s’ Epic Weekend Face-Off” 

The Town with Matthew Belloni 

The Ringer  

On this episode of The Town, a podcast that covers all things Hollywood, host Matthew Belloni is joined by David Herrin. Herrin is the founder of Quorum, the industry leader in film data research and insights. Conversations include the marketing strategy behind Barbie, the birth of “Barbenheimer,” and the role COVID-19 played in creating an opening weekend unlike anything they have ever seen.

“The Barbie Tapes: A Toy is Born” 

LA Made: The Barbie Tapes 

LAist Studios

From the time Barbie first entered the toy scene in 1959 until the release of Barbie in 2023, the brand and the doll have been at the center of controversy and culture. “The Barbie Tapes: A Toy is Born” is the first episode in season two of LA Made that tells the true story of Barbie in the words of her creators. The series covers Barbie’s colorful history from start to finish, illuminating details that we all may have missed. 

“A Barbie v. Oppenheimer Game”

Pop Culture Happy Hour 

NPR 

First, play along as the NPR hosts discuss “pop culture’s most contentious matchups.” Then, if your friends still haven’t seen Oppenheimer and you don’t want to spoil it for them, listen to this episode to hear the hosts gab about the plot, the cast, and the complicated history behind the movie. And when you finish listening to “Oppenheimer,” you can check out one of Pop Culture Happy Hour’s two episodes on Barbie, one with spoilers and one without.

“The ‘Barbie’ Deep Dive w/Greta Gerwig!”

The Big Picture

The Ringer

Greta Gerwig is the mastermind behind Barbie. On this episode of The Big Picture, she discusses her approach to recreating the iconic doll for the big screen, the unique challenges she encountered, themes that run through Barbie and her previous work (Lady Bird and Little Women), and the movie’s overall cultural impact. 

Whether you want to revisit history or take a trip to Barbie Land, Spotify’s Podcast Editorial team has you covered on podcast browse. Check out these podcasts and more on our Barbie vs. Oppenheimer shelf.

Spotify Is Getting a Hot-Pink Makeover To Celebrate the New ‘Barbie’ Movie

July 21, 2023

The world premiere of the highly anticipated Barbie movie, directed by Little Women writer-director Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as the world’s most popular doll, is here. To celebrate the massive cultural moment that is Barbie, listeners will notice that things have gotten a little more pink on Spotify, starting with a refresh of the exclusive Barbie Official Playlist and a special Barbie-pink play bar.

Featuring an all-star cast that includes Ryan Gosling as “Ken,” as well as appearances by America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and Kate McKinnon, every new trailer or clip that has been released since the first few images came out last year has ramped up excitement for the film. There’s been a rise in pink clothing sales, food vendors are introducing Barbie-themed menu items, and a real-life pink Malibu DreamHouse was built.

Even Spotify listeners have been hyped about the upcoming premiere, with more than 620,000 Barbie-related user-generated playlists on the platform. Playlist creation spiked nearly 270% on May 26 after the Barbie film trailer was released, and it has continued to increase in the weeks since. On these playlists, some of the most added tracks include “California Gurls” by Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg, “Barbie Tingz” by Nicki Minaj, “Toxic” and “Oops!…I Did It Again” by Britney Spears, “Wannabe” by Spice Girls, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper, and—of course—the 1997 Aqua hit single “Barbie Girl.” 

The newly updated Barbie Official Playlist brings in new music from Atlantic Records to celebrate all the Barbies and Kens (and Allans) out there. For example, Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night,” Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” and the Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice banger “Barbie World (with Aqua)” make the cut. The playlist will also feature Spotify Canvas on selected tracks, which features film footage that gives fans an immersive experience. The score for the movie, composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, will be released on August 4 and will be featured on the official playlist. 

Listeners will also find a Living in a Barbie World destination that features the Barbie Official Playlist and other playlists to get you ready for your Barbie summer including Summer Pop and our new Hot Pink playlist that will give listeners a personalized Barbie-inspired vibe.

Barbie has long been a source of joy, nostalgia, and humor for so many. And following Friday’s premiere of Barbie, there was an increase in streams of Barbie-themed tracks amongst Spotify users globally on July 22.*

*Compared to average number of streams from June 24- July 21, 2023

There’s more Barbie-inspired fun to be had on Spotify. Don’t forget your rollerblades!