Barbie movie contributed more than £80m to UK economy
The movie is the biggest film of 2023 so far and has also out-earned 2022’s biggest hit, Top Gun: Maverick
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Box office hit film Barbie contributed more than £80 million to the UK economy and created 685 jobs, according to the studio that made it.
Greta Gerwig’s movie about the Mattel doll, starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, is Warner Bros’ most successful theatrical release of all time.
The film was largely shot at Leavesden studios in Hertfordshire, where Gerwig created the detailed and vivid Barbieland sets.
It generated more than £95 million at the UK box office, the evidence says.
The movie is the biggest film of 2023 so far and has also out-earned 2022’s biggest hit, Top Gun: Maverick.
In written evidence to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee as part of its British film and high-end TV inquiry, Warner Bros says: “During its production in the UK, it contributed over £80m in direct spend to the local economy, created 685 jobs, involved over 6,000 extras, supported 754 local businesses, paid over £40m in local wages.
“It has also generated over £95m in box office revenues in the UK alone. As such the benefit of attracting such productions are that they are net positive for the UK.”
The committee has written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of next week’s autumn statement to call for targeted tax support and changes to regulations impacting the British film industry.
The inquiry has received 130 pieces of written evidence from across the sector, including film studios such as Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount and Amazon, as well as industry bodies such as the British Film Institute, the Motion Picture Association and Directors UK.
Evidence from the UK Screen Alliance says the UK is at risk of losing its position as a world leader in visual effects and said targeted tax relief is needed.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
The written evidence says: “There is considerable unrealised potential which is being held back by unintended consequences of the structure of the tax reliefs which rather than attracting VFX work to the UK, very often drives it away.”
The committee has now called for targeted tax support to ensure more visual effects work takes place across the whole of the UK.