Young Love
9 Classic Barbie Movie Couples, Ranked From Least to Most Likely to Still Be Together
For anyone who’s looking at this list and thinking, “That’s not Margot Robbie!” you’re clearly not a late Millennial or early Gen Z kid.
Sure, Disney Channel Original Movies were fundamental to our romantic upbringing. But when it comes to early 2000s nostalgia, we’re still singing Kelly Sheridan‘s songs from Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper just as proudly as High School Musical. Or at least I am. That’s why I’m taking a trip down memory lane, looking back at some of Barbie’s most iconic roles in her best animated movies.
While every Barbie movie couple lives close to my heart, it’s clear that not every connection has what it takes to make it long-term. Seriously, were the Barbie and the Diamond Castle twins really marriage material? Was Derek’s epic Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses flute solo enough to keep Genevieve interested?
Scroll for Swooon‘s official ranking of classic Barbie movie couples based on how likely it is for the couples to still be together today. Do you agree with this ranking? Comment below with your favorite Barbie movie couple!
Classic Barbie movies are available to rent/buy on Prime Video
9. Liana & Jeremy / Alexa & Ian from Barbie in the Diamond Castle
Status: Were they even dating?
No, really, the Diamond Castle girlies each couple up with one of the singing twins, but neither duo made their relationship official, and I’m not convinced they ever would. Looking back, the whole best friends dating cocky twins vibe was weird either way.
Growing up is realizing that the real love story in Barbie and the Diamond Castle was Liana and Alexa all along. Sure, it’s a movie about friendship, but you can’t tell me that their dresses individually match the lesbian and bi flags by accident. Someday down the line, we’re sure they ditch their interchangeable boyfriends, trading in their matching heart necklaces for heart engagement rings.
8. Clara & The Nutcracker from Barbie in The Nutcracker
Status: ‘Twas the damn season
It wouldn’t be a Barbie movie ranking without giving a nod to her first animated film, Barbie in The Nutcracker. When it comes to Barbie-led love stories, this ballet-turned-animated movie tells the story of a stunning romance — with little longevity.
Clara (who’s supposed to be like 12, right?) starts dating a jumbo nutcracker, who turns into a real man, serving Beauty and the Beast realness. In the end, their whole relationship turns out to be a dream, proving their love story begins and ends as a holiday romance.
7. Annika & Aidan from Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus
Status: Just a fling
Sorry, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus fans, Barbie’s best enemies-to-lovers romance was deeply overshadowed by Annika learning that her horse friend was her sister.
Annika and Aidan go through a lot together, from fighting off an evil sorcerer to almost the key ingredients in a giant’s soup. However, once the magic wears off, I’m 100% sure this couple would realize they were never more than glorified friends.
6. Derek & Genevieve from Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
Status: Just a situationship
I adore this couple, but even though Derek fell for Genevieve among the sea of her 11 sisters, I’m not convinced Genevieve has ever met another man…
After marrying the hot local shoemaker, this ballerina is going to dance beyond the castle walls. When she does, she’s going to find a world where sisters aren’t named in alphabetical order, and everyone is allowed to have more than one interest. Derek, I’m rooting for you, but once Genevieve meets literally anyone else, I fear it’s over.
5. Rapunzel & Daniel Barbie as Rapunzel
Status: Unhappily married
Rapunzel and Daniel inched along ever so slowly so that Rapunzel and Flynn Rider could sprint. Barbie tried her hand at Barbie as Rapunzel long before Disney created Tangled, but her love story left much more to be desired than the Mandy Moore-led flick that came out eight years later.
Rapunzel paints her way into Daniel’s arms by the end of the movie, but if you ask me, the couple lacks chemistry. While their love may not last, their royal status makes it clear that divorce would not be in the cards.
4. Ro & Antonio from Barbie as The Island Princess
Status: Three’s company
When it comes to Barbie as the Island Princess, Ro and Antonio are a fine couple. However, the presence of Tika (the creepy anthropomorphic elephant in the bottom right corner of the image above) has me questioning everything.
Here’s what “I Need to Know”: Does the separation anxiety-prone elephant keep getting in the way of their connection? If you ask me, Ro and Antonio’s next great adventure is couples therapy at best. Thanks for nothing, Tika.
3. Julian & Anneliese from Barbie in the Princess and the Pauper
Status: Married (but I’m petty about it)
For as long as she can remember, Anneliese has been in love with her best friend/royal tutor Julian, and the feeling is certainly reciprocated. After all, not just anyone knows which flower a princess uses to scent her stationery.
What gives me pause is the infamous Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper moment when Annaliese tells Julian that he reminds her of a geode. As many have pointed out, she basically indicates that he is ugly on the outside but beautiful within (even though he looks like every other Ken). If I were Julian, I would bring that questionable comment up at the dinner table at least once a week.
2. Nori & Nalu from Barbie: Mermaidia
Status: Power couple
Was anyone else majorly crushing on both Nalu and Nori at the ripe old age of seven? Just me? Okay.
When it comes to Barbie’s friends-to-lovers relationships, Barbie: Mermaidia‘s Nalu and Nori take the cake. Not only did this couple survive Bibble (couldn’t be me), they survived a love triangle in which they were the secondary characters. Elina never really had a thing for Nalu, but it’s hard going head-to-head with the chosen one. If Nalu and Nori could go through all that and still come out together, there’s nothing they can’t face.
1. Dominic & Erika from Barbie in the Princess and the Pauper
Status: Together in every lifetime
If Barbie taught us anything, it’s that “you’re always free to begin again.” With Dominic, Erika is able to do just that. In my opinion, taking the time to grow separately and realizing that they still want to be together is what makes this disguise obsessed couple so strong.
If there’s one thing we know about Barbie and Ken, it’s that they’re together (in some capacity) in every lifetime. Don’t believe me? Take a look at every other couple on this list. When it comes down to which Barbie movie relationship is the best, Erika and Dominic from Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper are the only acceptable answer.
