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Barbie Dolphin Magic
Barbie Dolphin Magic
Barbie Dolphin Magic
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Barbie Dolphin Magic
Promotional artwork
Written byJennifer Skelly
Directed byConrad Helten
Starring
Music byRebecca Kneubuhl
Country of origin
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersSarah Serata
Rachel Datello
EditorCassandra Simonds
Running time63 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkYTV
ReleaseSeptember 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2017 (2017-09-18)

Barbie Dolphin Magic[1][2][3] or Barbie: Dolphin Magic[4][5] is a 2017 animated adventure television film directed by Conrad Helten and written by Jennifer Skelly.

The 36th entry in the Barbie film series and the backdoor pilot to the Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures television series,[6][7][5][4] it features the voice of Erica Lindbeck as Barbie and is the only Barbie film to be produced by Mainframe Studios under the name of "Rainmaker Studios" following internal business structure reorganization after consolidation into a division of WOW! Unlimited Media. This marks the first time a Barbie film has neither premiered on American television nor distributed by Universal Pictures, although Universal did release DVD, video on demand and Digital HD copies of the film.[8]

The film was dedicated to the memory of Canadian production editor David Hall, who died in a car accident a few months prior to the release of the film.[9][10]

Plot

[edit]

A mermaid and her four dolphin companions hide from a ship. The youngest dolphin, named Emerald, curiously goes near the boat and is instantly captured as a rare "gemstone dolphin", as there is a mysterious woman offering a reward for these. The mermaid tells the dolphins to stay put and sets off in pursuit of the boat.

Meanwhile, Ken has taken an internship at a marine biology institute, and has arranged for Barbie and her sisters to stay in a beachside cabin nearby. While scuba diving, Skipper notices a strange animal heading towards the institute, and they follow it in the boat. Upon arrival, they find the perfectly healthy dolphin imprisoned in a cove modified into a recovery tank. Ken concludes that Emerald must have accidentally gotten in when the gate was open. Marlo, the institute's director, stops them from letting Emerald out, saying she has to wait until a vet can see him per protocol.

Once the group leaves, the 'animal' appears and reveals itself as the mermaid, who magically turns her tail to legs and tries to free the dolphin herself; however, Marlo has locked the gate. Barbie spots her, and tells her what Marlo said. The mermaid introduces herself as Isla, and reluctantly agrees to trust Barbie and return next afternoon when the Vet is supposed to be there. The sisters offer her a bed in the cabin, and she proceeds to amuse and puzzle them with her lack of experience with such simple concepts as mattresses, toothbrushes, sisters, dogs, and even sandwiches.

The next day, Emerald's family Ruby, Topaz, and Amethyst show up, and Isla reveals her secret to Barbie while swearing her to silence about it, which Barbie agrees to keep on condition that Isla teach her how to swim like a mermaid. They hear Emerald's cries through a cave and realize there is an underwater tunnel from the bay into the cove. Isla and the Dolphins try to find the way through to free Emerald, but the cave system is too complex and they have to give up. Meanwhile, Stacie, Chelsea, and Skipper see a sideshow company's helicopter land at the institute, and when they follow it they learn that Marlo intends to sell Emerald to the owner.

The dolphins disobey Isla and head for the cove. Marlo has Ken open the gate and then close it behind them on the pretext that they will help reduce Emerald's stress level. Ken suspects something is off, and when the rest arrive after Marlo leaves, he realizes the truth and goes to open the gate; however, Marlo has already changed the code.

Skipper and Chelsea hatch a plan to hack into Marlo's key fob device for locking the gate, which succeeds, but Marlo changes the code again and destroys the device. Isla dives into the cove, reveals herself as a mermaid to the rest of the group, and hides the dolphins in the caves. Marlo, thinking they got out through the gate, sets off in the helicopter. Isla gives Barbie a magic shell, Barbie goes to the other end of the tunnel in the bay and uses it to create a signal that Isla can follow to help the dolphins escape. They make their way to Ken's motorboat, but Marlo spots them in the bay and gives chase in the helicopter. Barbie disguises herself as a mermaid and swims the other way, allowing Marlo to pursue and capture her while the rest make it to safety. Once Marlo realizes her mistake, she lets Barbie go, but Barbie tells her she plans to go to Marlo's superiors and the authorities about the dolphin poaching.

Later, once the area is safe, Barbie uses the shell to summon Isla back to the beach while the dolphins play offshore. Barbie dubs Isla her "sister of the sea" and they vow to always remain friends.

Cast

[edit]

Other characters include Isla's Gemstone dolphin companions; Emerald, Topaz, Amethyst and Ruby, and Barbie's puppies; Taffy, Honey, Rookie and DJ.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Barbie Dolphin Magic

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Barbie: Dolphin Magic is a 2017 American animated adventure film directed by Conrad Helten and written by Jennifer Skelly. The film, produced as part of the long-running Barbie media franchise by Mattel, follows Barbie (voiced by Erica Lindbeck) and her sisters—Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea—as they visit a tropical island resort with Ken, where they snorkel in a coral reef and discover a rare, rainbow-colored Gemstone Dolphin that has gone missing. While exploring, the sisters meet a mysterious mermaid named Isla (voiced by Shannon Chan-Kent), who reveals her secret and joins them in a quest to rescue the dolphin and reunite it with its pod, emphasizing themes of friendship, environmental conservation, and underwater magic. Released directly to streaming on Netflix on September 18, 2017, the 63-minute movie targets young audiences with its vibrant animation and musical elements, including original songs, and has inspired related merchandise such as dolls and playsets featuring the characters and Gemstone Dolphins.

Production

Development

Barbie Dolphin Magic was announced by in October 2016 during the content market as a 60-minute animated scheduled for a fall 2017 release, representing a strategic pivot toward shorter-form content to complement upcoming Barbie series. This project served as the 36th installment in the film series, which originated in 2001 with . Conceived as the franchise's inaugural original special, it facilitated 's transition from physical home media distribution—previously handled by since the early 2000s—to streaming platforms, aligning with evolving digital consumption trends for children's entertainment. The screenplay was penned by Jennifer Skelly, emphasizing themes of sisterhood through the Roberts sisters' collaborative journey, environmentalism via efforts to protect a and endangered dolphins, and high-seas adventure incorporating mermaids and underwater exploration. Positioned as a backdoor pilot for the animated series that premiered in 2018, the special introduced refreshed character dynamics, such as updated family interactions and pet elements, alongside a stylistic shift from the more elaborate, feature-length aesthetics of prior entries to a streamlined, series-oriented approach suitable for episodic streaming. Key production choices included selecting Conrad Helten as director, building on his recent work helming the 2016 Barbie & Her Sisters in a Puppy Chase to ensure continuity in visual storytelling. This installment also diverged from Universal's longstanding distribution role, opting instead for a rollout beginning with a Canadian TV premiere on YTV on September 17, 2017, followed by exclusive global streaming on the next day, to capitalize on the platform's reach. The film was dedicated to the of production editor David Hall, who contributed to early planning at Rainmaker Entertainment before his tragic death in a highway collision in on March 10, 2017.

Animation

Barbie Dolphin Magic is a 3D computer-animated film produced by Rainmaker Studios (formerly ) in , , , in collaboration with Creations. This marked the first Barbie direct-to-streaming release without a traditional U.S. television premiere, debuting on for global streaming following a Canadian TV airing on YTV. The production utilized advanced CGI techniques to create a 63-minute runtime optimized for digital platforms, with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 suitable for streaming. The animation features a vibrant, colorful aesthetic typical of the franchise, emphasizing bright hues and dynamic visuals to bring the underwater world to life. Key environments include a sun-kissed tropical island resort, a marine research facility, and expansive ocean depths with reefs, all rendered in detailed 3D to capture the fluidity of sequences and explorations. Magical elements, such as the iridescent dolphins with sparkly, rainbow-colored markings, are highlighted through shimmering effects and smooth transformations, enhancing the fantastical tone. Post-production focused on realistic water simulations for underwater scenes, including light refraction and bubble dynamics, while character animations in musical numbers incorporate graceful, synchronized movements to match the rhythm of the songs. The overall style prioritizes a cartoonish yet immersive look, blending everyday beach settings with enchanting marine fantasy to appeal to young audiences.

Plot and characters

Plot

Barbie Roberts and her younger sisters—Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea—visit a tropical island resort to see their friend Ken, who is interning at a research institute. Upon arriving, the sisters reunite with Ken and embark on an underwater exploration of the nearby reefs via , where they stumble upon a rare dolphin named Emerald trapped in a . As they attempt to free the creature, a mysterious young woman named Isla intervenes, revealing herself to be a who can transform her tail to legs; she explains that Emerald is her loyal companion, captured by the institute's director, Marlo Buchanan, a covert poacher intent on capturing the dolphins for profit. With Isla's guidance, the group uses her shell necklace, which creates a magical light current to help navigate and communicate underwater. The group, now including Ken, forms a team to infiltrate the marine institute under the cover of night, discovering that Marlo has also captured Emerald's family—Topaz, , and —in hidden enclosures, planning to sell them to Hugo, an unscrupulous circus owner seeking exotic attractions. Through clever teamwork and sisterly coordination, they sabotage Marlo's operations, evade security, and orchestrate daring rescue attempts, using gadgets and their skills to navigate underwater passages and communicate with the dolphins. The story reaches its climax as the team confronts Marlo and Hugo during a transfer of the dolphins, leading to a high-stakes chase involving boats and submersibles; with Isla's bravery and the sisters' unbreakable bond, they successfully free all the dolphins, restoring their markings and allowing them to return to their home. The victory underscores themes of friendship, , and the power of family unity in protecting from exploitation. In the resolution, , her sisters, and friends bid farewell to Isla, who uses her powers to aid the escape, before heading back home, with subtle hints of future oceanic escapades as the group reflects on their transformative journey.

Cast

The voice cast for Barbie: Dolphin Magic consists primarily of returning performers from the broader Barbie animated series, lending a consistent tone to the film's Dreamhouse Adventures style, with select new voices for supporting roles. provides the voice of Barbie Roberts, portraying her as the optimistic and adventurous leader of the Roberts sisters. voices Skipper Roberts, the tech-savvy teen sister skilled in using gadgets. Claire Margaret Corlett voices Stacie Roberts, one of the energetic sisters who contributes her bold spirit. Ciana Swales voices Chelsea Roberts, the youngest sister known for her animal-loving and curious nature. In supporting roles, voices Ken, Barbie's boyfriend serving as a marine biology intern and host figure at the island resort. voices Isla, the mysterious ally with a protective role toward the gemstone dolphins. Paul Dobson voices Hugo, the antagonist depicted as a poacher operating a sideshow enterprise. rounds out key voices as Marlo, the facility owner with business interests in . The emphasizes the sisters' individual skills—such as Skipper's technological —complementing Barbie's guiding , while new additions like Chan-Kent and Dobson introduce unique dynamics aligned with the film's underwater adventure theme.

Music

Songs

The songs in Barbie: Dolphin Magic, including the original "" and reused tracks "So Beautiful" from Barbie: Star Light Adventure (2016) and "Live in the Moment" from Barbie & Her Sisters in a Puppy Chase (2016), serve as narrative highlights, advancing themes of family, , and joyful collaboration through upbeat pop melodies integrated into key animated sequences. Produced by the music group The Math Club, these tracks feature vocal performances by guest artists while being lip-synced by the film's voice cast, including as . "Treasure" opens the film as a theme song performed by Barbie and her sisters—Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea—emphasizing the unbreakable bond of sisterhood and the excitement of shared adventures. The lyrics portray sisters as invaluable "treasures" that make life brighter through unity and exploration, with lines like "Life is better when we stick together / 'Cause sisters are forever just like treasure." A full version plays during their arrival at the island, accompanied by synchronized dance choreography and vibrant coastal visuals that underscore the theme of discovery. The track is performed by The Math Club featuring vocalists Kylie and Jaelyn, blending harmonious group vocals with playful instrumentation. Midway through the story, "So Beautiful" is a between Barbie and the character Isla, celebrating the stunning natural world and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. Its evoke wonder at the environment's , such as "I can up the world / In the blink of an eye / You'll see something you never dreamed," adapted slightly from : Star Light Adventure (2016) to fit the oceanic setting. This song highlights themes of appreciation for and conservation, rendered with ethereal melodies and underwater sequences that synchronize bubble effects and graceful movements to the rhythm. Produced by The Math Club, it features lead vocals by Jordyn Kane, enhancing the film's message of environmental harmony. During the film's climax rescue sequence, "Live in the Moment" brings together group vocals from the ensemble, promoting the value of embracing the present, taking risks without regret, and succeeding through . Key like "Living now, loving this day / We won't regret the chances we take / Live it up, we live in the moment" reinforce a message of full-hearted living and collective effort amid high-stakes action. The performance integrates dynamic with coordinated group dances and fluid underwater chases, amplifying the emotional peak. Like the other songs, it is produced by The Math Club and features Jordyn Kane on vocals, providing an uplifting close to the musical elements.

Score

The score for Barbie: Dolphin Magic was composed by Rebecca Kneubuhl, a composer who contributed music to multiple Barbie animated projects around the same period, including Barbie: Spy Squad (2016). The instrumental composition enhances the film's underwater exploration and magical elements, fitting within the 63-minute runtime while excluding the vocal songs. Kneubuhl's score integrates with sound design handled by Dick & Roger's Sound Studio, incorporating ambient ocean effects to underscore scenes of dolphin interactions and artifact discoveries. Re-recording was overseen by Marcel Duperreault, ensuring seamless blending of orchestral cues with environmental audio. This approach supports the film's adventurous tone and brief transitions into musical numbers without overpowering the narrative flow. No standalone album for the score was released; however, select cues appear in the film's promotional trailers and official clips.

Release

Premiere

Barbie: Dolphin Magic premiered on YTV in on September 17, 2017, marking its television debut, followed by a global streaming release on the next day, September 18, 2017. It also received limited theatrical releases in select international markets, including the on October 13, 2017, and on October 20, 2017. This Netflix rollout positioned the special as a key entry in the franchise, serving as the backdoor pilot for the subsequent series. Mattel and Netflix collaborated on marketing efforts that emphasized the film's themes of mermaids, dolphins, and underwater adventure to appeal to young audiences and families. Trailers showcasing these elements were distributed across platforms, including official uploads on the Mattel YouTube channel starting in August 2017. Social media campaigns on Facebook and YouTube further promoted the special, with posts highlighting family-friendly escapades and encouraging viewers to stream on Netflix. To complement the release, Mattel launched tie-in toys inspired by the story, such as gemstone dolphin figures and mermaid dolls featuring Isla, the film's mysterious friend. These products were marketed alongside the special to extend the magical ocean narrative into play experiences. Promotional events included online exclusives on Barbie's official YouTube channel, where song clips from the soundtrack and behind-the-scenes teasers provided glimpses into the production and characters. The special's distribution marked a shift in the franchise, with its U.S. premiere handled exclusively through streaming rather than a traditional partnership with for initial release.

Home media

Barbie: Dolphin Magic was released on DVD by in the United States on September 11, 2018. The standard edition features the 63-minute film in format with audio tracks in English, French, and Spanish, and in English, French, and Spanish. In the United Kingdom and other regions, the DVD launched around the same period, with a Region 2 release noted in August 2018 and some editions including promotional items like sticker sheets. Internationally, versions were dubbed into languages such as Arabic, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish, often with packaging adapted to highlight local market preferences. A digital HD edition was made available through in select markets, with physical releases limited to DVD compared to the digital rollout. Following the initial Netflix streaming premiere, the film expanded to additional digital platforms after its exclusivity period ended, becoming accessible for rent or purchase on services like , , and by 2020. It has also appeared in broader digital collections on platforms such as , enhancing its availability within the franchise's home media library.

Reception

Critical response

Barbie: Dolphin Magic received limited attention from professional critics, given its status as a direct-to-video animated special targeted at young audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has only one professional review (3/5 from Common Sense Media), with no Tomatometer score available. The audience score stands at 33%. Common Sense Media awarded the film a 3-out-of-5 rating, recommending it for ages 5 and older, and described it as a "gentle story" in which Barbie and her sisters promote kindness toward vulnerable sea animals. The review praised its entertaining quality for the intended audience, highlighting positive messages about caring for marine life and environmental stewardship through the characters' efforts to save dolphins. However, it criticized the film's liberties with reality, such as inaccurate depictions of snorkeling and the introduction of fantastical elements like gemstone dolphins and mermaids, which could mislead young viewers without parental guidance. Additionally, the portrayal of teenage independence and privilege—depicting the characters vacationing without parents—was noted as unrealistic and potentially idealizing an idyllic lifestyle. The film's predictable narrative structure, centered on friendship and adventure, was seen as formulaic for the Barbie franchise, appealing primarily to preschoolers but lacking depth for older children. Overall, the limited critical coverage viewed it as a standard entry in the series, effective in delivering lighthearted, empowering themes of and conservation but constrained by its simplistic plot and departure from factual accuracy.

Audience response

Parents and young viewers have responded positively to Barbie: Dolphin Magic, particularly appreciating its educational themes on environmental conservation, , and family bonds. On , parent reviews emphasize the special's promotion of positive values such as teamwork to protect and strong sisterly relationships, with many deeming it suitable for children as young as age 2 and rating it highly for its gentle, uplifting content without scary elements or romance. Kid reviews similarly highlight the heartwarming story and enjoyable songs, noting the appealing dynamics between and her sisters Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea. User feedback on echoes this, with many praising the whimsical underwater adventure and catchy musical numbers as engaging for family viewing. Commercially, the special marked a successful shift for the franchise to streaming platforms as a exclusive in 2017, garnering a solid 5.6/10 average user rating on from 1,286 votes and contributing to the brand's sustained popularity among children's content. It served as an introductory special to the animated series (2018–2020), establishing the updated character designs, family-focused narratives, and lighter animation style that carried over, with recurring elements like the sisters' adventures influencing later entries such as the 2022 special Barbie: Mermaid Power, a direct featuring returning themes of marine protection. While specific sales figures for the associated Dolphin Magic doll line are not publicly detailed, the special aligned with Mattel's broader brand, which generated approximately $1.1 billion in global gross sales in amid growing digital tie-ins. Culturally, Barbie: Dolphin Magic has been valued for its environmental messaging, teaching lessons on preserving reefs and avoiding harm to , which resonated with families and prompted discussions on . However, some longtime fans expressed mild criticism regarding its simpler animation and character models compared to the more polished visuals in the prior year's Barbie: Star Light Adventure. The special endures as a fan favorite in the franchise, remaining accessible on and featured in official compilations, ensuring ongoing appeal for new generations of young viewers.

References

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