Is Barbie Actually Banned in Saudi Arabia and The UAE?
With less than a month to go until its scheduled release date, fans are beginning to wonder whether will actually make its regional debut on August 31
Update: The UAE’s Media Regulatory Office has confirmed that Barbie will be showing throughout the emirates on August 31st, 2023. Read more here.
Oh, Barbie. The iconic doll that has transformed into a cultural phenomenon. With her fashionable attire, impressive resume, dream house and perfect boyfriend, Ken, every little girl dreamed of living in her world.
Naturally, fans were over the moon with excitement when it was announced that a live adaption — directed by Greta Gerwig and starring megastars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken — would soon be releasing.
After years of anticipation and months of teasers, the Barbie movie finally released worldwide on the 21st of July. With a star-studded cast and a list of notable artists on the register, the movie has accumulated extreme levels of hype. Though the movie did not release in the Middle East on the said date, there were rumours of a delayed release. However, fans within the region are now speculating that the movie may not be released at all…
Is Barbie banned in the UAE and KSA?
Nope. The UAE’s Media Regulatory Office has confirmed that Barbie will be showing throughout the emirates on August 31st, 2023.
Barbie has already been facing the threat of unreleased by other countries around the world and has already been banned by Vietnam for the inclusion of a map that shares ‘disputed Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea.’ Potentially causing a domino effect within other countries in the region like Brunei, The Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan.
Why would Barbie be banned in Saudi Arabia or The UAE?
Currently, there has been no further information except the delayed release date. However, the movie is said to highlight ideas that may violate the standards, values and regional sensitivities. If this is the case, it’s likely the film won’t be shown in cinemas.
Therefore, if previous patterns are indicators, we could be looking at a Barbie-less summer in the Middle East.
Is Barbie banned in Saudi Arabia?
On Sunday evening, Saudi cinema and entertainment platform MovSto posted a tweet that appeared to clarify that the film won’t be released throughout the region.
رسميًا:
فيلم “باربي” لن يتم عرضه في السعودية، والكويت وقطر والإمارات ومصر والبحرين.#Barbie pic.twitter.com/Qmv4LG2Yyz
— فيلم و قصة (@MovSto) July 30, 2023
“Officially: The movie “Barbie” will not be shown in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain,” the tweet reads when translated into English.
However, official sources have yet to comment on this information.
Fans remain hopeful that the movie will release sooner rather than later. Till we wait, it’s time to embrace all things Barbiecore and hope to see the blockbuster on the big screen here in the region!
Written by Pranita Garg and Ria Totlani
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram @barbiethemovie