As The World Is Obsessed With Barbies Again, Here Are 35 Of The Weirdest That Were Ever Made
The recently released Barbie movie started a renaissance of the iconic doll, sending quite a few of us down memory lane. Kids for generations were dying to lay their hands on a Barbie at their time, some being lucky enough to become the proud owners of one or two.
Since the first Barbie was introduced in 1959, there have been an abundance of variations of the doll; some more bizarre than others. We have gathered some of its most unusual or unexpected types for you to familiarize with in case they weren’t popular when you were a Barbie fan. Scroll down to find them and enjoy the quick trip back in time.
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Haunted Beauty Mistress Of The Manor Barbie 2014
Regina had some fabulous outfits that I absolutely covet.
Load More Replies...Barbie Doll As Medusa
Well, technically she was a beautiful woman, before she was raped and then cursed by a goddess.
At least, according to Ovid’s Metamorphoses, who by the way, was actually Roman.
Load More Replies...She has snakes wrapped around her arms, a snake necklace, and snake earrings. It would still be neat if she had snakes in her hair.
Load More Replies...That's not Medusa; she's got regular hair and the snakes are on her arms.
Barbie Haunted Beauty Ghost Doll
Anyone else getting Sherri moon living dead girl vibes. Does Rob zombie know about this
Barbie’s story started back in March 1959 when, created by Ruth Handler, it was launched into the American toy market. According to the History Channel, co-owner of the toy company Mattel, Inc., Handler came up with the idea after watching her daughter play with dolls made from paper, and thus came to life the 11-inch plastic version. It reportedly became the first mass-produced toy doll with adult features in the US.
The History Channel pointed out that Barbie—or Barbara Millicent Roberts in full—was modeled after a different doll, known at the time by the name of Bild Lilli.
Barbie's Kid Sister Skipper Growing Up
Kids could actually make Skipper's boobs grow by rotating her left arm. The doll also got taller in the process
I had this doll. Still remember the popping sound when you cranked her arm and out came the boobs.
I can't tell you how many times I twirled my own arm trying to grow boobs as a kid because of this doll!
I had this! I'm old. Can someone please crank my arm so my boobs will pop back in and I'll get younger? Please?
That skirt is hideous. Twist her arm a second time and she becomes a table in an Italian restaurant.
I think we know that the boy version would be like.
Load More Replies...Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds Barbie Doll
My first thought too. It really makes it kinda hilarious that she isn't! I love that she's just holding the bird to her head with that expression!
Load More Replies...Not really a good idea to have Barbie as a character from The Birds.
Guys, there is a video on YouTube that shows famous scenes from The Birds but with the birds edited out. It is ridiculously hilarious to watch Melanie Daniels sailing across Bodega Bay and reacting to the dive bomb to her head except nothing hits her. You can even see her perfectly coiffed hair get dented and messed up for no reason. Go look it up, trust me.
I don't think she would be smiling with all those birds attacking her.
Over Barbie’s more than 60-year-long history, there have been plenty of different versions of the doll. They include not only Barbie with different clothing or hair, but her depicting representatives of different occupations, and—eventually—body types and ethnicities, too. Back in 2016, Mattel introduced Barbie Fashionistas, which featured four body types, seven skin tones, 22 eye colors, and 24 different hairstyles.
Harper’s Bazaar revealed that the new body shapes were introduced after the head of the Barbie brand, Evelyn Mazzocco, undertook a poll of ‘Barbie haters’ in order to see what were the main things the doll was ridiculed for. The most common responses stated it was ‘out of touch,’ ‘materialistic’ and ‘not diverse’.
Midge Pregnant Doll With Magnetic Baby Bump And Newborn Infant
Midge is married and not a teenager. It's a shame it couldn't be produced anymore because people think pregnancy ist scandalous.
Oooh so that‘s why there are no pregnant original Barbie dolls? We have them still here in our shops, but not from Barbie.
Load More Replies...Strange... I always thought Ken came in a different box.
My pregnant mom was worried that if I had this my 2yo brother would cut her belly open to get the baby inside out. 🙄
I wanted something like this so bad. I always thought it was an urban legend. I still want it.
Sugar Daddy Palm Beach Ken
That's Uncle Baby Billy to you, missy!
Load More Replies...He's "not a "Sugar Daddy", the dog's name is sugar, and he's the daddy"
A 50+ years old sugar daddy wearing head to toe Versace version of Ken.
Hah hah, the little yappy dog on the leash and the Versace suit is really the cherry on top.
Empress Of The Aliens Barbie
This is a power rangers villain and you can’t convince me otherwise.
Definitely a villain - purple and green are always villain colors!
Load More Replies...Barbie is believed to have represented over 200 different career choices, ranging from an astronaut to a singer, a computer engineer, and way beyond. In addition to all sorts of the Barbie doll herself, in 1961, the toy company also introduced Ken Carson—Barbara’s plastic significant other, who reportedly has tried out roughly 40 different professions.
1994 Shaving Fun Ken
MJ, I was wondering who that looked like! Spot on! I was originally getting high as f**k little Donnie Trump Jr vibes. He could be the love-child of Scott and Don Jr.
Load More Replies...I had him! cheating bastard got kicked out and the barbies became flat mates.
I remember getting so frustrated at the beard growing back that I bit the paint off.
Becky, Barbie's Wheelchair-Using Friend, Couldn't Fit Through The Doors Of Barbie's Dreamhouse, And It Also Didn't Fit Into The Dreamhouse's Elevator
Curious fact: the iconic 1970s Barbie Dream TownHouse doubled as Big Jim's Headquarters, with just different colors and printed material. Mattel reused the molds of the still in production but already 10 years old toy to complete their male-oriented action figure lineup with the p*nis-equipped equivalent of a dollhouse. bj110.jpg
That is awesome! I would have loved that toy. My GI Joes would have lived there.
Load More Replies...It was a terrible accident. My God, there was plastic everywhere. Luckily the medics had some super glue on board The poor girl is lucky to still have her arms. Ken is serving 15 months in the can for reckless endangerment
If ever there's a Barbie that needs to use the elevator!
Load More Replies...they used the body of the gymnast barbie for it because it has the ability to fully bend the knees and flatten the feet, otherwise the standard doll would have her feet sticking way out in front with pointed toes.
Load More Replies...Makes me wonder if the current generation of wheelchair-using Barbies and the little plastic ramps they come with work for the Dreamhouse.
Edit: I guess they must, because the advertising on Amazon for this year's version has a picture of a wheelchair-using Barbie exiting the elevator.
Load More Replies...They must have been influenced by the Athletes Village for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics.
Barbie And Pooping Tanner Dog 2006
My niece received this for her birthday yeeears ago, and it made all the kids crack up laughing hysterically. It was ten times more hilarious, however, because her cousin's name is Tanner!
This had to be taken off the shelves because the poop contained a small magnet that could get dislodged and be swallowed
Omg I got the dog when I was little and I loved it! I totally forgot about it til now
Time pointed out that Barbie and Ken’s love story started back in 1961 when they were working on a commercial together. Unfortunately, after more than four decades together, the couple broke up in 2004. Mattel’s vice president of marketing at the time, Russell Arons, shared the upsetting news in a statement, saying that “their Hollywood romance has come to an end”.
Earring Magic Ken (1992)
It was discontinued almost as soon as it came out. But still the best-selling Ken of all time.
The ring on the necklace was very, very reminiscing of a kind of... ehm.. "toy" that was used in the gay community as a pendant to identify sexual preference. As soon as the doll was published someone make them realize the mistake and the doll was pulled from the lineup, but became a fan favorite in some fringe -and mostly male- collector's clubs.
Note the lavender mesh shirt, single earring in the left ear, and c**k ring necklace. Somebody HAD to know what they were doing 😂
According to the story... Apparently they really didn't. The way I've heard it, they wanted to design a 'cool' Ken doll, so they sent their product researchers to raves... where at that time, most of the men were gay. Which they didn't realize until it actually hit shelves.
Load More Replies...Had this one. My mum bought it for me because it was cheap. I now realise it was probably cheap because it got discontinued.
Just buy *any* Ken. It's not a matter of IF it's gay, it's just how far out the closet that specific version is.
Load More Replies...Barbie And Ken Star Trek 1996 30th Anniversary Dolls Gift Set
I had two sets of this, one for display and one in the box. Even as a man, I found it odd that Ken was a Captain while Barbie was only a Lieutenant. I realize it was so they could put them in the familiar versions of the uniforms, but still. (The accessories were pretty good quality, though.)
I have 2, also. I remember that I had to put them on layaway because it was expensive for me back then.
Load More Replies...1. Ken should have a red shirt - cuz funny. 2. Ken looks kind of out of shape compared to the others.
Why is there no Spock?? Everyone knows he’s the best character.
Ensign Rand? (I had the REAL Star Trek "Action Figures")
Lounge Kitties Barbie 2003
It’s like a car wreck. I’m trying to look away, but I can’t stop staring at it.
I hear you. I'm deeply disturbed, but just can look away....
Load More Replies...I would love to hear the board meeting that came up with this doll line.
I want the Josie and The Pussycats movie dolls. Made me think of them.
But Barbie dolls didn’t stop with countless variations of Barbara herself and plastic figurines of Ken; back in 1967, the first celebrity-lookalike doll saw the light of day, dedicated to the supermodel Twiggy.
Other famous people with their own Barbie dolls include Cher, Beyonce, Elton John, Katy Perry, Naomi Osaka, Jane Goodall, Audrey Hepburn, Zendaya, and more.
Rollerblade Barbie Flicker N’ Flash Actually Created Sparks And Got Recalled. I Loved Playing With Her And Will Remember The Smell From The Skates
I like the “Dolls need child’s help to pose as shown. Dolls cannot bend at knees”. You know some mom complained and they were forced to add that.
Not really, no. In the '70s and '80s Barbie used to have bendable knees. There was an internal structure and the "skin" was a more rubber-like, allowing the knee to bend up to 45 degrees. Unfortunately, the vinyl based polymer degraded pretty quickly, becoming sticky. This, compounded with changes in the PVC formulations required by new environmental legislation and with cost-saving and price reduction initiatives designed to make the doll more accessible, made Mattel change the design to rigid legs. For a while, the two designs coexisted and that's why they pointed out which version of the doll was into the package, especially when the cover image could be misleading.
Load More Replies...I had this Barbie, loved her so much! so nostalgic! They stopped making her because she was a fire hazard.
Seriously?! I had this one too! Explains the smell I guess…
Load More Replies...Ah, mattel. Sparking your inner pyro... explains so much. I loved that thing.
Elton John Barbie
Elton Barbie? Barbie John? John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt? Bar-Bar-Bar--Bar-Barbie Ann?
I wish they had done this when Mattel made quality dolls, it's so cheap looking. Of all the cool costumes Elton wore that they could have used for inspiration
Barbie Signature Queen Elizabeth II
Wouldn't this require, like, the approval of the royal family? How did they ever approve of this?
Over the years, the Barbie doll has become so widespread that Mattel estimates it has more than 99 per cent global awareness, Harper’s Bazaar reports. It also pointed out that, according to recent statistics, as many as three Barbies are sold every second, adding up to over a billion of them sold since it was created.
Teen Talk Barbie 1991
The dolls contained a voice box programmed with a random assortment of four phrases out of 270 possibilities, including "Will we ever have enough clothes?", "Let's plan our dream wedding!", "Want to go shopping?" and "Math class is tough", which was objected by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as detrimental to the effort to encourage girls to study math and science
ALL of those listed phrases are hideously misogynistic. Ugh.
Shopping and math class: The old American Oppressors.
Load More Replies...It inspired the "Lisa vs Malibu Stacy" episode of the Simpsons ^^ In that episode, the Malibu doll also said things like : "My name is Stacy, but you can call me (wolf whistle) " or "don't ask me, i'm just a girl".
I love that episode! There are so many quotable lines!
Load More Replies...I'm reminded of the brilliant Lisa verus Malibu Stacey episode of the Simpsons. Lisa-Lionh...dcead6.jpg
"Let's plan our dream wedding!", THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TEENAGER! As a teen I was more concerned about my bike not breaking than my future marriage.
My friend had this. It had a posh English accent and said “let’s have a tea party!”
I had one!!!! It spoke German though :) wanted to go shopping and have ice cream
I'm up for the ice cream half of the equation.
Load More Replies...Shouldn't they encourage everyone to study math and science? Everyone can have a barbie! And they act like all girls want to go shopping and want to get married. 🙄 So annoying.
I'm surprised it didn't say dumb things like, "Radical, Dude" or "Let's hang at the mall."
Barbie Video Girl Doll 2009
This doll was subject to a FBI alert that was so severely misunderstood that led to a media scare and it effectively killed the product. The FBI issued an internal memo to agents advising to check the eventual doll's video content in cases concerning child-related crimes. The American media outlets, well known for their balance and lack of sensationalism, whipped the whole thing into a scare about a doll designed and used to produce child p*rn. Mattel quickly pulled it from the lineup and is now a sought after collector item.
This doll was owned by one of the Turpin children and helped secure some rare footage of that family to use in court. Such a sad story
I loved this one as an adult 😆 I used it to film my cats when I went to work
"I am watching you" Barbie, sounds like a security risk. Furby level observation.
Barbie Scooby-Doo Ken As Shaggy
Why make it a Ken version? Why not make a Shaggy one and sell it as a Scooby Doo doll or as a Barbie universe tie-in? Surely more people like Shaggy than Shaggy-Ken.
That is a bit odd, since Mattel does the Disney Princess dolls as their own separate line modeled on the movie characters instead of the Barbie and Ken molds. I just bought a Mattel-made Flynn Rider doll (saving sale items for an annual Christmas toy drive) and he's definitely Flynn Rider, not Ken-dressed-as-Flynn Rider
Load More Replies...Considering the doll’s popularity and long-lasting history, it’s no surprise that the recently released Barbie movie created quite a buzz as well. According to CNN, just three weeks into its run, it already surpassed the billion dollar mark at the global box office. This makes Barbie’s writer-director Greta Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie.
Barbie Little Red Riding Hood And The Wolf
I thought Little Red Riding Hood was a child and... not supposed to be sexy? :( I'll take the wolf toy, though! I'm gonna just pretend he's licking his lips because he's hungry and wants that... mysterious... orange... square... sandwich?
Birthing Dog Barbie Playset
Those of us who were young in the 90s will remember Puppy Surprise and Kitty Surprise. Our animal toys giving birth is nothing new! XD
I still have Puppy Surprise. Did ANYONE ever get one with five babies? The most any of my friends got was 3. I got 2.
Load More Replies...yeah but unless the doggy had a c section this is all wrong!. lol
Star Wars Barbie Chewbacca
Barbie’s unparalleled success has now been marked by a movie dedicated to the iconic doll; but long before its release, the name was everywhere thanks to another phenomenon—the Barbie Girl song. Released in 1997, the song about “life in plastic being fantastic” was presented by a Danish-Norwegian group, Aqua.
McDonald's Fun Time Barbie And Kelly Dolls 2001
You can't have a fun time being a McDonalds employee. And the reason her baby sister is with her at work is because their employees get less than 20 hrs a week so they can't afford child care. Go ahead hate me. I said what I said.
I'm not hating, I've seen this a bunch irl. You're completely right.
Load More Replies...She's Skipper and Kelly's sister. I want to see their parents.
Load More Replies...Fast food restaurants let you where shorts and bring babies???
Honestly the little kid dolls are always creepy, this one isn't that creepy...
Rendezvous Barbie Masquerade 1998
Reminds me of the fashion show at the end of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead.
George Washington Barbie
This one reads more Luvvy Howell from Gilligan's Island than George Washington to me.
As a reenactor I wouldn't even give it that....
Load More Replies...If the recent craze got you too and you’d like to familiarize yourself with more Barbie-related content, check out these hidden Barbie movie details that not everyone uncovers or browse some more weird Barbie dolls here.
Barbie Happy Family Neighborhood Grandpa Doll
My kid would love grandparent Barbies. She wants a "family photo" that includes every age range
I don’t get why the toy chest is full of children’s toys. Why doesn’t he have a newspaper, a cup of coffee, a TV remote, a pair of slippers…
Is it just me or does grandpa look like a doll version of Colin Firth?
Barbie Collector Doll “Shoe Obsession“
Yes, I totally also keep my extra pairs of shoes in my mesh laundry bag, which I am also wearing as a dress for some reason.
That's what we call my mom due to her shoe obsession and huge collection of them!
Load More Replies...I found my 6th grade ela teacher. That's where she is now!
Looks kinda like the dresses I made for my dolls out of tissues. I was a weird little kid. (I didn't add shoes tho)
Karl Lagerfeld Barbie
The first one that looks more likeable than their original - and by far the coolest!
That is not a Karl Lagerfield Barbie, the box is too fat. /s
Vintage 1965 Slumber Party Barbie “How To Lose Weight” Miniature Book
omfg thats nuts no wonder kids and adults have weight insecurities
Load More Replies...y'know in barbie land they think feminism is solved in the real world, but this, this is messed up
Losing weight is so hard but gaining is so easy wish it was the opposite
Rappin' Rockin' Ken Doll 1991
"Yo!" -as a child of the 90s, I can confirm that we did, indeed, often use the word "Yo!" Thus, this is an authentic doll.
This one should have been in the movie! It would have been hilarious.
Rappin' Rockin' Barbie Doll 1991
Now take Ken's speaker and turn on both Barbie's and Ken's speakers.
Tattoo's Butterfly Art Ken1998
Let me guess, it's gay for men to like butterflies too?
Load More Replies...Oreo Barbie 2001
For max cringe, this picture should have featured another black Barbie on the right.
Tell me you’re a company run by old white guys without telling me.
OMG! HAHAHA! Was this supposed to be a racially progressive product?
I don't think they thought it through that far beyond the marketing tie-in. If they had, I doubt this would have made it to the shelves.
Load More Replies...Am I missing something? I really don't mean to be offensive in any way, but what's wrong with these Barbies?
Oreo can be an offensive term for Black persons who are "acting white." As in, Black on the outside but white on the inside. Also a reference to a white person between two Black persons. https://myamericanmeltingpot.com/2018/09/07/oreo-barbie-cracker-barbie/
Load More Replies...Barbie Totally Stylin' Tattoos 2008
Ken had butterflies, while Barbie had "totally stylin'" tats. Interesting.
Both Scooby-Doo and Barbie have left indelible marks on pop culture, becoming iconic childhood favorites over the decades. Each has evolved significantly since their inception, with Scooby-Doo offering a playful twist on mystery-solving adventures. If you have fond memories of these charming characters, you might appreciate discovering dogs that humorously capture the essence of everyone's favorite animated Great Dane.
They've compiled a list of dogs that bear a striking resemblance to Scooby-Doo, which you can find here.
Barbie Wash & Watch 1991
Why is that gross? I love my dishwasher. Would you rather her do dishes by hand?
Why? I thought everyone is supposed to have basic cooking/housekeeping skills
Load More Replies...Vintage Barbie Baywatch Teresa 1994
When mid-90s is considered "vintage". Sigh. ::cries in old person::
I've been hearing songs from when I was in high school on the "oldies" radio station. Nearly wrecked my car the first time! When did I become so old?
Load More Replies...I actually have the Barbie version of this one, where she's wearing the iconic red swimsuit, and I even got the box signed by Erika Eleniak. (The original Baywatch Babe, before Pam.)
I loved those so much I ordered them as an adult when I collected, and played with them in the shower
Special Edition 1995 Kool-Aid Wacky Warehouse Barbie Doll
I think the colours on the box drawing look way better.
Load More Replies...Kissing Barbie Doll 1978
2010 Barbie Twilight Jane
Hello Barbie
She talked and she listened and responded to what she heard through a microphone, sophisticated electronics and a Wi-Fi connection. The doll’s functions raised privacy violation concerns. Mattel discontinued the doll two years later
Probably on the other side could be p3d0s or smth...
Load More Replies...Two years? It shouldn’t have been sold in the first place.
Ken & Barbie As Romeo And Juliet Together Forever 1997
Why does Ken look like a 43 year old widower taking a teenage second wife?
Coca-Cola Barbie Cheerleader Doll 2000
2009 Heidi Klum Barbie
Elvis And Priscilla 2008 Barbie Doll
Elvis and Priscilla 2008? Because every little girl wants a doll of a 30 years dead rock star and his ex-wife.
Some Barbie dolls are not meant for playing and more of a display. I keep one Barbie doll that's for age 14 & up.
Load More Replies...my sister had the hawaii elvis ken doll idk where it is now tho :/
Jude Deveraux The Raider Barbie & Ken
Because bodice-rippers make excellent back stories for children's toys. 🙄
Somehow I don't think this Barbie and Ken are geared toward children...
Load More Replies...He looks like a scheming social climber who marries a spoiled, bratty heiress solely for her family fortune.
Reba Mcentire Barbie
🎵 My roots are planted in my past, though my life is changing fast. Who I am is who I want to be. A single mom who works too hard, who loves her kids and never stops. With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter. I'm a survivor. 🎵
The Heart Family Barbie Kiss & Cuddle Set 1986
Vintage Oreo Fun Barbie Doll 1997
Friend Of Barbie Rosie O'Donnell Doll 1999
Gigi Hadid Barbie
Funny, I hated Barbies as a little girl (preferred G.I. Joes, Transformers, and He-Man toys) and I probably wouldn’t buy any of the Barbies on this list nor any modern ones, yet I’m going to see the Barbie movie tomorrow XD I acknowledge the doll’s impact on society (and the fact that the movie looks fantastic) even though I never played with a single Barbie in my life XD
I used the Clue weapons with my Barbies (many a murder mystery)… It’s all about what you make of them! And I hope you enjoy/enjoyed the movie!
Load More Replies...Because she sacrificed her career for him and their family?
Load More Replies...At a job 20 years ago someone tried to get up a collection to buy a depressed coworker a $100 Barbie - i really thought it was a scam and it may have been but they did and do have $100 (and udoubtedly much more) Barbies.
Where is "Mod Ken?" He came with different stickers of facial hair and side burns
Funny, I hated Barbies as a little girl (preferred G.I. Joes, Transformers, and He-Man toys) and I probably wouldn’t buy any of the Barbies on this list nor any modern ones, yet I’m going to see the Barbie movie tomorrow XD I acknowledge the doll’s impact on society (and the fact that the movie looks fantastic) even though I never played with a single Barbie in my life XD
I used the Clue weapons with my Barbies (many a murder mystery)… It’s all about what you make of them! And I hope you enjoy/enjoyed the movie!
Load More Replies...Because she sacrificed her career for him and their family?
Load More Replies...At a job 20 years ago someone tried to get up a collection to buy a depressed coworker a $100 Barbie - i really thought it was a scam and it may have been but they did and do have $100 (and udoubtedly much more) Barbies.
Where is "Mod Ken?" He came with different stickers of facial hair and side burns
