Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Barbie” raced past the billion-dollar mark over the weekend, just 17 days after its release in North America and most international markets, collecting a record-breaking $1.0315 billion worldwide.

According to the announcement made by Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution, and Andrew Cripps, president of international distribution, for Warner Bros. Pictures, Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker Greta Gerwig, who directed Barbie, became the first female filmmaker to surpass the billion-dollar benchmark as a solo director.

"This is a watershed moment for ‘Barbie,’ and no one but Greta Gerwig could have brought this cross-generational icon and her world to life in such a funny, emotional and entertaining story, one that is resonating with all four quadrants of moviegoers and turning the entire world pink,” Goldstein and Cripps stated,

Recognizing the massive achievement, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, co-chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, said, "With ‘Barbie’ becoming the biggest film at the summer box office, Greta now joins an elite group of writers/directors whose singular vision has generated $1 billion at the global box office, a milestone that is testament to her brilliance and to her commitment to delivering a movie that Barbie fans of every age want to see on the big screen.”

The fantasy-comedy movie was the fastest to reach $400 million domestically and $500 million internationally. According to a report by The Guardian, Barbie ticket sales currently rank second after The Super Mario Bros, which raked in a total of US$1.357 billion at the box office this year.

The film starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Thomas Gosling as Ken also features America Georgina Ferrera and Rhea Perlam in the supporting roles. The live-action film was first announced in 2009 by Universal Pictures, however, after multiple changes, the rights were transferred to Warner Bros. Pictures in October 2018.