In Algeria, the film Barbie was pulled from rental theaters roughly a month after its cinema run began, a move reported by AP referencing the local outlet 24H Algerie. The Algerian Ministry of Culture issued a directive to all distributors calling for the immediate removal of the Margot Robbie feature, with the reasons for the decision not publicly disclosed. AP notes that Barbie was no longer showing in Algerian theaters by August 16, signaling a swift halt to its local exhibition.
Meanwhile, across the region, reports on August indicated that a major Hollywood release faced bans in Lebanon and Kuwait on grounds of LGBT content. In Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammed Murtada described the film as contrary to religious values and said it promotes homosexuality. In Kuwait, officials stated that the film was removed from rental platforms in order to safeguard public morals and social customs. These actions reflect ongoing debates about cultural norms and media content in Middle Eastern markets.
Barbie had its world premiere on July 19, and in its opening weekend the film grossed approximately $356 million at the global box office. Despite the film’s record-breaking start, not every marquee collaboration in the cast achieved the same financial traction across markets, with some markets showing more modest returns for the leading performers Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling than anticipated.
There were discussions the day before regarding a possible second installment of the Barbie franchise, with producers exploring future directions for the series and its expanding universe. This ongoing momentum underscores how a single release can spark conversations about sequels, merchandising, and cross-market releases across different regions and regulatory environments.
In related commentary, some public remarks about figures connected with the production have sparked controversy and heated discussion. These expressions have surfaced in diverse corners of the entertainment world, illustrating how public personalities can become focal points in debates that extend beyond cinema into broader cultural conversations.