Algeria Bans "Barbie" Almost A Month after Movie's Local Release

The “Barbie” movie was pulled from theaters in Algeria almost one month after its release in the country.

According to the online news outlet 24H Algerie, Algeria's Ministry of Culture and Arts notified cinemas in Algiers, Oran, and Constantine to “immediately” pull the movie. 

“Barbie” opened in some Algerian cinemas last month. The movie’s distributors removed the Hollywood blockbuster from their screening schedules starting this week.

The ban comes after authorities in Kuwait and Lebanon banned the live-action movie based on American fashion dolls for allegedly threatening conservative values.

The rapturously reviewed “Barbie” opened on July 21 and smashed expectations with its $155 million domestic debut, ranking as the biggest opening weekend of 2023, as well as the best start for a movie directed by a woman.

It arrived as a full-fledged phenomenon, thanks to the marketing campaign of the year and stellar word-of-mouth to match. There was also hype from “Barbenheimer,” the nickname for the twin release date with Christopher Nolan’s dark historical drama “Oppenheimer.”

The Greta Gerwig comedy has grossed over $1 billion in less than a month since opening in other markets. 

Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” co-wrote the screenplay with her partner Noah Baumbach.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star as the stereotypical versions of Barbie and Ken, who leave behind the Dreamhouse on a quest for self-discovery in the real world. 

Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Helen Mirren, John Cena, and Will Ferrell round out the cast.