I was lucky to be able to see that Barbie movie this past weekend and to say that I was moved, is an understatement. I thought I was walking into a totally playful Barbie movie filled with bursts of glitter, pink, and cheesy laughs. Don’t get me wrong, part of that is true. But I walked out a changed person. I left feeling empowered. I left feeling sad. I left feeling uplifted. I left feeling an immense sense of gratitude and understanding for my mother. I left feeling for every girl on the planet. I left feeling for every woman on the planet. I left feeling for every man on the planet. I left feeling seen. I left feeling understood, truly understood. I left feeling that I can do anything. And I will do anything. I will do everything. I am ok. I am enough.
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, I suggest not going any further. So many of these quotes give spoilers, of sorts, about the movie. I feel like walking into the movie not knowing much about it is a true gift.
If you have seen the movie, you’ll likely remember so many quotes, words, and feelings from it. I’ve compiled some of my personal favorite quotes from the Barbie movie, including the amazing and unforgettable speech/monologue from America Ferrera (Gloria) in its entirety. Memorize it. All the feels.
Without further ado, the best quotes from the Barbie movie (2023). The one about mothers really hit me the most.
1.
"We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they've come."
2.
"Humans only have one ending. Ideas live forever."
3.
"Because Barbie can be anything. Women can be anything."
4.
"I want to be part of the people that make the meaning, not the thing that is made."
5.
"Men look at me like I'm an object. Girls hate me."
6.
"Either you're brainwashed, or you're ugly and weird. There is no in-between."
7.
"The real world is not perfect, but you inspire me."
8.
"I want to do the imagining, not be the idea."
8.
"Everyone hates women. Men hate women and women hate women. It's the one thing we can agree on."
9.
"I cry too. It's actually kind of amazing."
10.
Barbie to OId Woman: "You're beautiful." Old Woman to Barbie: "I know it".
11.
"It's the best day ever. So was yesterday and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever."
12.
"I work hard, so I deserve it."
THE AMERICA FERRERA SPEECH
13.
"It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong. You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can’t ask for money because that’s crass. You have to be a boss, but you can’t be mean. You have to lead, but you can’t squash other people’s ideas. You’re supposed to love being a mother, but don’t talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men’s bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you’re accused of complaining. You’re supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you’re supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. I’m just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don’t even know."
