Whether you’re team Oppenheimer or team Barbie, it’s inarguable that the hype surrounding both films is immense. And they both come out this weekend! But one film, in particular, seems intent on turning the whole world pink – and frankly, we’re here for it! With London having recently turned pink for the premiere, the capital has become absolutely consumed with Barbie fever. So we’ve rounded up some of the best special menus, giveaways, and deals to celebrate the general release of the Barbie movie on July 21.
But first, to whet your appetite, check out the trailer (and be sure to look out for the Disney100: The Exhibition trailer when you’re at the cinema during opening week):
1. Check out some of the pinkest places in London
Is there any better way to celebrate Barbie than doing your utmost to immerse yourself in a vision akin to Barbie’s Dreamhouse? Since we can’t visit the fictional world ourselves, these perfectly pink places act as suitable substitutes. Whether you want to grab a meal, sip at a coffee, spend the evening sipping cocktails, or get your nails done, there’s a pink-hued paradise for all situations. Read the full list here.
2. Shop ’til you drop at a Barbie shopping destination
To celebrate the new film Selfridges has gone absolutely Barbie-crazy. The store’s famous window displays now feature official movie costumes in settings inspired by the film, and The Cinema at Selfridges will be showing back-to-back Barbie screenings on the release day.
Elsewhere in the store, Barbie has also taken over the Corner Shop with a fluorescent vision of where Selfridges thinks Barbie would shop and hang out in London. The first ever Barbie Dream Wardrobe Rental features looks from the doll’s storied history, with looks that pay tribute to Barbie’s long resume of over 250 careers. Shoppers can also book Barbie-inspired hair and nail services, as well as enjoy a variety of photo opportunities, browse official Barbie movie merchandise, and even the movie’s toy line featuring Impala x Barbie Roller Skates and more. It’s a Barbie bonanza!
Barbie at the Corner Shop will run from July 17-29.
3. Net yourself a free ticket to the film
Head on down to Westfield in your best Barbiecore garms and you could be one of the people lucky enough to score a free ticket to the film! Over 200 tickets are being given away on July 21 & 22, across both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, for fans to enjoy the experience at Vue’s Big Screens. If you’re all dressed up in your best Barbie or Ken finery, head to customer services at either location – where judges will be on hand to give out ten tickets for each screening. But act fast, as once the tickets have been claimed, they’re gone for good!
If you miss out on free tickets or simply don’t fancy dressing up like a doll, you can still snag cut-price tickets to see the film. Head here to find out how you can catch a flick on the impressive VUE cinema screens, for a fraction of the price!
4. Brunch it up Barbie-style
A limited-edition Cali Brunch fit for any of the denizens of Barbie World has landed at M Restaurants for you and your whole crew of Barbies (and Ken, I guess…). Diners can choose from any two courses from the Cali Brunch Menu, and match the food with ninety minutes of unlimited cocktails. Be sure not to miss the Dreamhouse cocktail – a dazzling pink concoction of gin, elderflower, raspberry, and lemon. While you’re brunching it up, there will be games to participate in, and a resident DJ keeping the mood bright and high throughout the day.
The Cali Brunch will only be available on July 22 & 29. Be sure to book your spot here.
5. Chow down on pink-hued delights from LEON
LEON isn’t content with just one pink option on their menu – they’ve got a whole menu of drinks and food to choose from so your entire meal can be Barbie-hued. LEON’s PINK menu includes the likes of a Pink Iced Latte (a vanilla beetroot latte), a Mango, Lime & Dragon Fruit Smoothie (if you’ve already had three coffees today), and The Chicken & Bacon BBQ BIG SMOKE (a Barbielicious BBQ burger crowned with pink slaw). It’s essentially a one-stop-spot for all your pink food needs throughout the day!
Find your nearest LEON venue here, to chow down on the colourful delights.
6. Sip on a Barbie-tastic cocktail
Kraft Dalston has launched a brand new cocktail to celebrate the upcoming theatrical release: the Malibu Barbie Pink. A fruity blend of coconut rum, melon liqueur, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice, topped off with candy floss, it’s the kind of picture-perfect drink Barbie would love. And you can actually score the refreshing sipper for free if you saw the film at the nearby Rio Cinema. Just show your ticket at Kraft for the complimentary drink!
7. Party it up, all in pink
Head to the Clapham Grand on July 29 for their huge Pink Party – which they claim (rather tongue in cheek) has “absolutely nothing to do with a certain copyrighted movie coming out in July”. Yeah, sure it doesn’t… Well, regardless of whether or not they’ll admit it, it’s still set to be a huge night full of all things pink and pop. As well as DJs playing the ultimate mix of the most bubblegum-y pop music possible, there will be fierce drag performances, a photo booth for your dress-up dreams, and themed cocktails. Anyone for a Margot-rita?
Grab your ticket here.
8. Grab a (free) pink burger
Smoky Boys BBQ Haus and Grill have unveiled a limited edition pink burger with a 28-day dry-aged Angus beef patty, beetroot mayo, pink onion, and even a pink brioche bun. And to celebrate the burger, and the Barbie movie release, the first 100 customers to turn up to their Southside Shopping Centre location, on July 21, dressed in pink will get a free burger. Turn up in an entirely pink outfit and they’ll go all the way too, and give you a full meal on the house.
The giveaway takes place at Smoky Boys, Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth, SW18 4TF, and will start at 11am on July 21.
9. Satisfy that sweet craving
Shoreditch’s doughnut paradise, The Treats Club, is getting in on the action too, with a limited-edition sweet treat. The female-owned company got to provide their catering service for the movie set back in March of 2022, and now they’re celebrating the film’s release with their Barbie donut (their spelling, not ours!). The doughnut features “a pink donut dough (obvs), filled with their homemade ‘boys tears’ flavour marshmallow fluff (made using the tears of Ken of course), topped
with a strawberry custard and fruity pebbles topping”. If you’re drooling at the sound of all of that, act quickly because the limited edition doughnut is only available from July 20 – 30.
10. Actually go and watch the Barbie movie!
Look, if you’ve gotten this far and forgotten that all of this is in fact for a film that’s coming out – we don’t blame you. But remember, ultimately the best way to celebrate the film is to go and actually watch it in the cinema! Grab a ticket for your local ODEON cinema, and be sure not to miss out on a single scene.