Partnership coincides with a new Netflix animated special, a fresh doll collection and a national production of The Nutcracker.

Mattel is returning to one of Barbie’s most influential screen adventures, partnering with The Australian Ballet to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Barbie in the Nutcracker ahead of a new Netflix reimagining, a national stage production and a commemorative doll collection.

The collaboration brings together Australia’s national ballet company and one of the world’s most recognisable entertainment brands, with performances, family experiences and competitions planned around The Australian Ballet’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker.

Originally released in 2001, Barbie in the Nutcracker launched what would become one of the most successful direct-to-video animated franchises in children’s entertainment. The film introduced a generation of young audiences to ballet through a contemporary retelling of Tchaikovsky’s classic and paved the way for more than 40 Barbie animated features over the following two decades.

Paul Faulkner, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Mattel Asia Pacific, said the anniversary was an opportunity to reconnect families with one of Barbie’s most enduring stories.

“Barbie has inspired generations through storytelling, imagination and play, and experiences like this give families new ways to connect with the stories they love,” Faulkner said.

“Partnering with The Australian Ballet brings the world of Barbie in the Nutcracker beyond the screen, creating meaningful shared experiences that celebrate one of Barbie’s most enduring stories.”

The Australian Ballet Artistic Director David Hallberg said the original animated feature had become many children’s introduction to ballet.

“For many people, Barbie in the Nutcracker was their first introduction to our magical world of ballet,” Hallberg said. As we prepare to bring our production of The Nutcracker to stages in Melbourne and Sydney, we’re delighted to partner with Mattel to celebrate the enduring connection between Barbie and ballet. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate ballet, while reconnecting parents with a story that first sparked their own imagination and love of dance.”

The anniversary celebrations also coincide with the release of an all-new 45-minute Barbie in the Nutcracker animated special, which will premiere on Netflix later this year.

The reimagining introduces updated animation and a fresh take on the classic story, with Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts taking on the role of the Sugar Plum Princess and Barbie “Malibu” Roberts starring as Clara. The project is overseen by Mattel Studios executives Rob David and Teale Sperling.

Alongside the new special, Mattel will release an extensive Barbie Nutcracker collection aimed at both young fans and collectors. The range includes a Barbie Nutcracker Clara Doll and a deluxe version featuring a transforming skirt that twirls from pink tulle into a satin rainbow candy print, alongside a Barbie Nutcracker Sugar Plum Fairy Doll with the same magical transformation. The collection also includes a Barbie Nutcracker Daisy Doll, Land of Sweets Ballerinasinspired by Marzipan and Candy Cane, Chelsea Snow Fairies, and a Land of Sweets Horse and Sled playset designed to recreate moments from the film.

Australian families purchasing participating Barbie products from July will also have the opportunity to enter a national promotion offering tickets to The Nutcracker in Melbourne and Sydney, along with a major prize package including travel, accommodation and Barbie merchandise.

The Australian Ballet will present Sir Peter Wright’s acclaimed production of The Nutcracker at Arts Centre Melbourne from Oct. 24-31 before the production transfers to the Sydney Opera House from Nov. 28 through Dec. 16.

The partnership continues Mattel’s strategy of expanding Barbie beyond toys through film, television, live entertainment and consumer experiences. Following the global success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and the company’s growing slate through Mattel Studios, the anniversary campaign revisits one of the brand’s most significant screen milestones while introducing a new generation to one of classical ballet’s most enduring stories.