If Barbie in the Nutcracker was part of your childhood, prepare for a very specific kind of nostalgia.
Mattel and The Australian Ballet have announced a new partnership celebrating the 25th anniversary of Barbie in the Nutcracker, the 2001 film that launched Barbie’s animated legacy and gave countless children one of their first encounters with ballet, Clara, the Sugarplum Princess and the Land of Sweets.
The partnership brings together Barbie, The Australian Ballet and The Nutcracker at a moment when the much-loved story is returning across film, toys and the stage. An all-new animated Barbie in the Nutcracker special is set to premiere on Netflix this September, reimagining the classic tale for a new generation. In the 45-minute special, Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts appears as the Sugarplum Princess, while Barbie “Malibu” Roberts takes on the role of Clara, travelling through a dreamworld of music, friendship and festive magic.
For many dancers and dance lovers who grew up in the early 2000s, Barbie in the Nutcracker was more than a favourite film. It was an entry point into ballet itself, with its pointe shoes, tutus, Tchaikovsky-inspired fantasy and very serious living-room choreography. The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Hallberg, acknowledged that connection in announcing the partnership.
“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.”
Mattel’s Paul Faulkner, SVP and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, said the partnership offered families a new way to connect with a story they already love.
“Barbie has inspired generations through storytelling, imagination and play, and experiences like this give families new ways to connect with the stories they love,” he 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 anniversary will also be marked with a new Barbie Nutcracker doll collection, including Clara, a deluxe Clara with a transforming skirt, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Daisy, Land of Sweets ballerinas, Chelsea Snow Fairies, and a Land of Sweets horse and sled. The collection is designed to extend the story into play, with ballet-inspired details including tutus, wands, glass-slipper fantasy and candy-coloured accessories.
Australian families will also be able to enter a Barbie Nutcracker competition by purchasing Mattel Barbie toy products from participating retailers from July 2026. Prizes include weekly double passes to see The Australian Ballet’s The Nutcracker live in Melbourne or Sydney, digital gift cards, and a major prize package for four including tickets, a travel allowance and Barbie merchandise.
The Australian Ballet will perform Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Nutcracker at Arts Centre Melbourne from 24 to 31 October 2026, before travelling to the Sydney Opera House from 28 November to 16 December 2026.