“Barbie’s” billion-dollar box office haul has opened the door for more feature film adaptations of iconic plastic ladies. American Girls, the 18-inch dolls that had an absolute chokehold over millennial youths, are finally getting their day on the big screen. That’s right: Samantha, Kirsten, Molly, Felicity, Addy (and maybe even a few more — fingers crossed for the ’90s twins) are going to Hollywood.
Fresh off their success from Greta Gerwig’s summer blockbuster, Mattel Films announced plans to produce another toy-centric flick with Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment, based on the American Girl dolls.
Screenwriter Lindsey Anderson Beer, who penned “Pet Sematary: Bloodlines” and Netflix’s “Sierra Burgess is a Loser,” is attached to write the screenplay and produce.
“Growing up, my sister and I were American Girl girls,” Anderson Beer said via press release. “I had Kirsten, and she had Molly. They didn’t feel like dolls to play with, rather real people whose worlds we got to imagine ourselves in. They are historically accurate toys and accessories that feature elaborate and immersive backstories uniquely suited to bring to screen. I am so excited to tell a story that tackles the issues of girlhood in a real and compelling way, and proud to partner with Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill to create the American Girl movie I have wanted to see since childhood.”
The American Girl company was founded in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland. The creator wanted to build a toy line centered around American history that was both educational and entertaining. And thus, the first three dolls were launched: Kirsten (the pioneer girl with braided hair), Molly McIntire (the World War II era doll with … glasses!) and Samantha Parkington (the doll from Edwardian times who also taught her friends about the perils of child labor).
“American Girl is a beloved franchise, rich in history and storytelling with millions of devoted fans. Through dolls, books, live experiences, and television movies, the brand has captured hearts for decades,” said Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films. “We are excited to continue Mattel Films’ momentum and collaborate with Paramount Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment and Lindsey Anderson Beer to bring American Girl to life on the big screen.”
This is not the first time Mattel has tried to make an American Girl Doll movie happen. Back in 2019, the toymaker partnered with MGM for a proposed adaptation, and there have been dozens of books and several direct to video movies on each girl’s historic upbringing. “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” starring Abigail Breslin, was the only previous movie to have a theatrical release, grossing $17 million in 2008.
“American Girl” will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.