ComedyFantasyAdventure

🎬 Where Was Barbie Filmed? Complete Los Angeles & UK Location Guide

2023

Greta Gerwig

Added January 15, 2024

5 Locations

Step into Barbie's world! Explore the vibrant real-life locations and studio magic behind the hit film.

About 🎬 Where Was Barbie Filmed? Complete Los Angeles & UK Location Guide

🎬 Where Was Barbie Filmed? Complete Los Angeles & UK Location Guide

Ever wondered what it's like to step beyond the perfectly pink world of Barbieland and into the "Real World" with Barbie and Ken? Get ready, because we're taking you on a cinematic adventure! 💖

Greta Gerwig's Barbie didn't just smash box office records; it also painted a vibrant picture of both fantastical and familiar landscapes. While much of the iconic Barbieland was brought to life on the hallowed soundstages of the UK, our favorite duo's hilarious and poignant journey into the human world took them to easily recognizable spots in sunny Los Angeles.

This isn't just about tracing movie magic; it's about discovering destinations that offer their own unique charm, blending Hollywood glamour with everyday appeal. You'll find yourself laughing at the contrast between plastic perfection and real-world grit, all while exploring some amazing places.

So, grab your rollerblades (maybe!), put on your best beach attire, and let's dive into the fantastic filming locations of Barbie! Get ready to explore, snap some iconic photos, and maybe even find your own moment of self-discovery.

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🗺️ Major Filming Locations

🎬 Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Leavesden, UK - The Heart of Barbieland 🌸

Scenic view of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden showing the soundstages where Barbie's World was built

🏛️ The Location

Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is a sprawling film studio complex located in Leavesden, Watford, England. Famous for hosting productions like the Harry Potter series, it's a powerhouse of cinematic creation with massive soundstages and backlots.

🎥 In the Film

This is where the magic truly happened! The vast majority of Barbieland, with its iconic Dreamhouses, perfectly pristine streets, and stunning backdrops, was built entirely on the soundstages here. It was a wonderland of practical sets and vibrant pink hues.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Warner Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LP, UK

🕒 Hours: Varies by studio activity and tour schedule.

💰 Admission: Studio tours are ticketed; check their website for pricing.

🌐 Website: https://www.wbsl.com/

💡 Pro Tip: Book a studio tour to experience the immense scale of these facilities. While Barbieland is gone, you'll still get a sense of where such imaginative worlds are built. 🎬 Fun Fact: The meticulous construction of Barbieland's sets reportedly consumed such a huge amount of fluorescent pink paint that it led to a global shortage!

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🎬 Venice Beach Skatepark, Los Angeles, USA - Real World Rollerblading 🛹

Stunning view of Venice Beach Skatepark featuring its iconic bowls and surroundings

🏛️ The Location

The Venice Beach Skatepark is a legendary, open-air skatepark right on the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk in Los Angeles. It's a bustling hub for skateboarders, known for its vibrant energy and unique beachside setting.

🎥 In the Film

This is one of the very first "Real World" locations Barbie and Ken encounter, still rocking their eye-popping neon outfits and rollerblades. They attempt to navigate the chaotic environment, leading to some hilarious and awkward moments as they learn about human interaction (and aggression!).

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291, USA

🕒 Hours: Open daily, typically dawn to dusk.

💰 Admission: Free to observe or use.

🌐 Website: https://www.laparks.org/skatepark/venice-skatepark

💡 Pro Tip: Go early in the morning for fewer crowds and a calmer experience, or in the late afternoon to catch some incredible golden hour skating. 🎬 Fun Fact: The neon rollerblading outfits worn by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling became instantly iconic and were recreated by countless fans for Halloween and parties!

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🎬 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, USA - Seaside Serendipity Ferris Wheel 🎡

Beautiful view of Santa Monica Pier showcasing its Ferris wheel and beach

🏛️ The Location

The Santa Monica Pier is a historic landmark and a major tourist attraction at the end of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica. It features an amusement park (Pacific Park), restaurants, shops, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

🎥 In the Film

While the exact scene might be brief, the Santa Monica Pier provides a quintessential Los Angeles backdrop for Barbie and Ken's initial exploration of the "Real World." Its vibrant, tourist-filled atmosphere perfectly captures the bustling human experience they're trying to understand.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

🕒 Hours: Pier open 24/7; Pacific Park hours vary by season.

💰 Admission: Free to enter the pier; individual rides (like the Ferris wheel) are ticketed.

🌐 Website: https://www.santamonicapier.org/

💡 Pro Tip: Ride the Ferris wheel at sunset for absolutely breathtaking views of the coastline and city lights, just like a cinematic moment! 🎬 Fun Fact: The Pacific Wheel on Santa Monica Pier is the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel.

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🎬 Westfield Century City, Los Angeles, USA - Mall Montage Merriment 🛍️

Impressive facade of Westfield Century City displaying its modern architecture and storefronts

🏛️ The Location

Westfield Century City is an upscale, open-air shopping mall located in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles. It's a modern, sprawling complex filled with high-end boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment options.

🎥 In the Film

This bustling mall serves as a backdrop for a pivotal scene where Barbie, seeking answers, encounters the stereotypical portrayal of "real" women and experiences the harsh realities of retail and societal expectations. It's a humorous and insightful contrast to the simplicity of Barbieland.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067, USA

🕒 Hours: Generally 10 AM - 9 PM daily; check specific store hours.

💰 Admission: Free to enter; costs for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

🌐 Website: https://www.westfield.com/centurycity

💡 Pro Tip: Enjoy an outdoor meal at one of the many restaurants on the terraced levels, and people-watch – maybe you'll even spot a Barbie or Ken impersonator! 🎬 Fun Fact: The mall scene was critical for showing Barbie's growing disillusionment with the 'Real World' and her desire to understand deeper human emotions.

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🎬 Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA - Urban Realism 🏙️

Authentic street scene of Downtown Los Angeles capturing its bustling urban environment

🏛️ The Location

Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) is the central business district of Los Angeles, known for its diverse architecture, skyscrapers, historic theaters, and vibrant street life. It's a sprawling area that encompasses many distinct neighborhoods.

🎥 In the Film

Various streets and public spaces within Downtown Los Angeles served as the generic "Real World" setting for Barbie and Ken's initial, eye-opening experiences. From their bewildered walkabouts to encounters with the local populace, DTLA's urban grit offered a stark contrast to Barbieland's plastic perfection.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Spans a wide area. Key areas include Pershing Square, Grand Park, and the Historic Core.

🕒 Hours: Public streets are always open.

💰 Admission: Free to walk around; costs for attractions, dining, and shopping.

🌐 Website: N/A (General area). For specific attractions, check their individual websites.

💡 Pro Tip: Take a walking tour of DTLA's historic architecture or art deco buildings to appreciate the rich backdrop that Barbie (and many other films) utilizes. 🎬 Fun Fact: The filmmakers intentionally chose generic, recognizable urban settings to emphasize the alien nature of the "Real World" for Barbie and Ken, highlighting its chaotic yet authentic beauty.

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🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

The creation of Barbie was a massive undertaking, blending incredible practical effects with a clear, artistic vision. Here's a peek behind the pink curtain!

🎭 Director's Vision

🎯 Location Strategy: Greta Gerwig deliberately contrasted the meticulously built, dreamlike Barbieland (at Leavesden Studios) with the raw, sometimes overwhelming realism of Los Angeles. This made the physical journey a metaphor for Barbie's emotional arc.

🎨 Visual Style: Gerwig prioritized practical sets and handmade details for Barbieland, avoiding excessive CGI to give it a charming, almost toy-like quality. The "Real World" locations were chosen to be jarringly authentic.

🎪 Production Highlights

🎬 Pink Shortage: The sheer volume of vibrant pink paint used to create Barbieland's sets famously caused an international shortage of the specific Rosco fluorescent pink hue!

🎭 Practical Sets: Unlike many modern blockbusters, Barbieland was largely a physical set. The miniature scale and exaggerated proportions were a nod to the dolls themselves, making the world feel tangible.

🎨 No Blue Sky: The sky in Barbieland was painted onto a massive cyclorama (curved backdrop) at the studio, not digitally added. This enhanced the feeling of a contained, artificial world.

🎯 Inspired by Musicals: Director Gerwig looked to classic Hollywood musicals, particularly their vibrant, choreographed movements and theatrical sets, when designing Barbieland.

🌟 Cast & Crew Stories

😄 Rollerblade Fandom: While filming the rollerblading scene in Venice Beach, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were often mobbed by fans, creating a surreal and sometimes challenging filming environment.

😮 Producer Robbie: Margot Robbie was instrumental in getting Barbie made, serving as a passionate producer for years before filming even began. She championed Greta Gerwig as director.

🎉 Wardrobe Wonderland: The costume department created an astonishing array of outfits, meticulously designed to mirror iconic Barbie fashion throughout the decades, ensuring every look was both familiar and fresh.

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🗺️ Plan Your Visit

Ready to follow in Barbie's (perfectly arched) footsteps? Here's how to plan your Los Angeles adventure!

🏨 Where to Stay

💰 Budget: Freehand Los Angeles - $100-$150/night - A stylish hotel in DTLA with a great rooftop pool, offering private rooms and hostel-style shared accommodations.

🏛️ Mid-Range: Hotel Erwin, Venice Beach - $250-$350/night - Located right on Venice Beach, providing easy access to the skatepark and stunning ocean views. Perfect for soaking in the local vibe.

✨ Luxury: The Beverly Hills Hotel - $800+/night - Experience iconic Hollywood luxury. While not a direct filming location, it embodies the glamorous spirit of Los Angeles that Barbie eventually discovers.

🚗 Getting Around

🚇 Metro: Los Angeles has a growing metro system, especially useful for reaching Downtown LA. However, for beach locations, it might require transfers and some walking.

🚗 Car: For maximum flexibility and to cover multiple locations like Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Century City efficiently, renting a car is often the best option. Be prepared for notorious LA traffic and parking challenges.

🚶 Walking: While specific locations like Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier are highly walkable, traversing between different parts of LA will require transportation. DTLA is becoming more walkable for exploring its core attractions.

📸 Photo Tips

🌅 Best Times: For outdoor locations like Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier, visit during golden hour (an hour after sunrise or before sunset) for the best light and fewer shadows.

📱 Instagram Spots: Recreate Barbie and Ken's rollerblading pose at Venice Beach, snap a picture with the iconic Santa Monica Pier sign, or pose by the bright pink backdrops found in many stores.

🎬 Movie Moments: Wear your brightest outfit to Venice Beach! Try to capture the feeling of awe and slight bewilderment that Barbie experiences upon seeing the real world.

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❓ Quick Answers

🎬 Is this based on a true story?

No, Barbie is a fictional story inspired by the Mattel fashion doll line. However, it draws heavily on societal observations and the cultural impact of the doll.

🗺️ Can I visit all locations in one day?

You can visit the Los Angeles locations (Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Westfield Century City, Downtown LA) in one very busy day if you plan your route carefully. Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK is a separate trip!

💰 How much should I budget?

For a day exploring the LA locations, budget around $50-$100 for transportation (gas/rideshare) and food, plus any souvenir shopping or ride tickets on the pier. Studio tours in the UK have separate costs.

📱 Are there guided tours?

Yes, there are general Los Angeles film location tours that might include some of these spots. For WB Studios Leavesden, their official studio tour is highly recommended but doesn't focus on Barbie specifically.

🎭 When was this filmed?

Principal photography for Barbie largely took place from March to July 2022.

🌍 Is Los Angeles safe for tourists?

Yes, Los Angeles is generally safe for tourists, especially in busy areas like the beach towns, Hollywood, and popular shopping districts. As with any major city, exercise caution, be aware of your surroundings, and secure your belongings.

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🎬 Ready for Your Cinematic Adventure?

There you have it! From the meticulously crafted fantasy of Barbieland to the sun-drenched, sometimes chaotic reality of Los Angeles, the filming locations of Barbie are as diverse and captivating as the film itself. It's a true testament to the power of filmmaking to transport us to different worlds, even when they're just around the corner.

So, whether you're a die-hard Barbie fan, a cinema enthusiast, or just looking for a fun new way to explore Los Angeles and beyond, these locations offer a unique blend of movie magic and real-world charm. Go forth, explore, and let your inner Barbie or Ken shine! Tag us in your adventures – we can't wait to see your take on the "Real World!"

Year Released

2023

Director

Greta Gerwig

Filming Locations

5 locations

Behind the Scenes

Greta Gerwig's vision for Barbie was to blend hyper-stylized artificiality with relatable human experiences. This meant constructing most of Barbieland at Leavesden Studios with practical sets, minimizing CGI where possible to give it a tangible, childlike quality. When Barbie and Ken enter the 'Real World,' the filming shifts to authentic Los Angeles locations, creating a stark, hilarious contrast to their perfect pink parallel universe. The attention to detail in transforming these spaces, or letting their natural chaos shine, was key to the film's playful narrative.

The production bought so much pink paint for Barbieland, it reportedly caused a global shortage!
Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie, was also a producer on the film, passionately driving it forward for years.
Greta Gerwig chose practical effects and sets over CGI to evoke a theatrical, handmade feel for Barbieland.
Ryan Gosling's bleached blonde hair and tanned look required significant commitment and maintenance.
Scenes featuring Barbie and Ken rollerblading on Venice Beach attracted huge crowds of onlookers, making filming a challenge.
The dream house sequences were meticulously crafted on soundstages at Leavesden, inspired by mid-century modern architecture.
Director Greta Gerwig insisted on a diverse cast of Barbies and Kens to reflect the doll's broad appeal.
The film's satirical take on gender roles was explored not just through dialogue but also through the visual contrast of Barbieland and the real world.
The 'Perfect Day' sequence in Barbieland was shot with precise choreography, almost like a musical number.
Many of the film's costumes were custom-made, with designers drawing inspiration from various eras of Barbie fashion.
The final scene with Barbie's momentous decision was filmed in a surprisingly ordinary location, emphasizing her journey to humanity.
Part of the real-world scenes necessitated capturing genuine reaction from passersby, adding to the comedic chaos.

Location Gallery

Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden

Venice Beach Skatepark

Santa Monica Pier

Westfield Century City

Downtown Los Angeles

Travel Tips

Best time to visit most of these locations is during spring or fall for mild weather.
Consider booking accommodations in advance, especially during tourist season.
Guided tours are available that cover Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Venice Beach Skatepark, Santa Monica Pier in one day.