Following the immense success of the Barbie movie, fans anticipated a multitude of Oscar nominations for the film. While the movie received eight nominations, many were disappointed to see that Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie did not receive nominations for Best Director and Best Actress.

Many were angered by the lack of nominations for Gerwig and Robbie because Oscar voters refused to take Barbie seriously due to its lighthearted nature and ignored the deeper messages of the movie. It seemed that Oscars voters failed to look past the playful, comical themes and ideas of the movie that exist on the surface. Ryan Gosling stated that without the incredible work and brilliant ideas of Gerwig and Robbie, the critically acclaimed film would not have been created.

While fans were disappointed by the overlook in Gerwig and Robbie’s work in the film, Barbie did receive eight nominations; these included Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and two nominations for Best Song for “I’m Just Ken” and “What Was I Made For.” Ryan Gosling received the nomination for Best Supporting Actor and America Ferrera received the nomination for Best Supporting Actress. While receiving eight nominations in itself is an immense accomplishment, the fact that Gosling received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor while Margot Robbie, the main character of the movie, didn’t receive the nomination for Best Actress proves one of the main messages of the movie, the constant dismissal and discounting of women’s ideas and successes. Fans of the movie felt that because the Academy failed to recognize Barbie’s success, they perpetuated the ongoing struggle of women not being taken seriously in a male-dominated world.

Despite the disappointment of many fans, the fact that Barbie received eight Oscar nominations is a success on its own. Additionally, with the Oscar awards happening this past Sunday, March 10, Barbie did take home an Academy Award as Billie Eilish and Finneas won the award for Best Original Song for the song “What Was I Made For.” 

While fans expressed disappointment that Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie were not nominated for Best Director and Best Actress, Barbie’s eight nominations mark a noteworthy milestone. Despite this, Billie Eilish and Finneas’s win for Best Original Song highlights the success of the film. While the Oscars may have missed an opportunity to recognize Gerwig and Robbie’s contributions, Barbie’s recognition among many other globally recognized films remains proof of its impact and importance.