'Barbie' movie’s Saudi Arabia and UAE release: All you may want to know

The long-anticipated release of the movie "Barbie" in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now confirmed, media reports said.

'Barbie' movie: Release Date in Saudi Arabia and UAE

Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking blockbuster, which has already grossed over $1 billion globally, will be shown in these Gulf nations starting this Thursday, a report of The Hollywood Reporter said. With this development, earlier speculations about the possibility of the film being banned have been put to rest.

'Barbie' movie: Why was the release delayed?

Initially scheduled to premiere in the region on July 21 along with its worldwide release, the film faced a delay due to suggestions from local censors for minor edits. This led to the postponement of the release date to August 31, the report said.

While this decision meant that Gulf audiences missed out on the early excitement surrounding the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, it allowed both the censors and Warner Bros., the studio behind Barbie, to address any concerns. Although it remains uncertain if any cuts were made to the movie to facilitate its earlier release, a solution has been reached, and the film is set to hit theaters soon.

'Barbie' movie: Will it be released in other Gulf countries?

The current release is limited to the two largest box office markets in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. No information is available regarding plans to screen Barbie in other Gulf regions. Generally, neighboring countries tend to follow Saudi Arabia's lead in such matters.

FAQs

Why was the release of 'Barbie' delayed in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
Local censors recommended edits, pushing the release from July 21 to August 31, allowing time for resolving concerns.

Will 'Barbie' be shown in all Gulf countries?
Currently, it's set for release only in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as other Gulf markets often follow Saudi Arabia's decisions on censorship.