Beijing law student Feifei watched Barbie movie twice this week, wearing a bright-pink baseball cap each time.
Hollywood blockbuster inspired a 24-year-old, focusing on feminism, patriarchy, and masculinity.
Movie realization: No need to prove oneself; pressure to excel in everything lifted.
Barbie movie shines in China's male-led action-dominated box office, with showings increasing significantly since release.
Barbie movie earns over $19 million in China, outperforming Black Panther and grossing less than Mission: Impossible.
Barbie movie's feminist theme resonates in China, surprising censors and gaining commercial success.
China's box office revenue reached $3.7bn in H1 2023, compared to $4.5bn in the US. Domestic films gain popularity as Beijing promotes local releases.
Hollywood filmmakers face challenges with Chinese censors. Critics accuse Barbie of appeasing China by featuring a map with the "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea.
Barbie is a global icon, well-known to Chinese consumers. Author Ying Zhu highlights her popularity in China and her significance in the movie market.
Barbie's feminism is perceived as non-threatening and acceptable to governments like the PRC, according to experts on gender equity movements in China.
Barbie's popularity in China reflects the younger generation's awareness of societal sexism and misogyny, according to gender inequality expert Leta Hong Fincher.
China's one-child policy, which favored boys over girls, contributed to traditional gender roles and limited women's representation in powerful positions, reflecting political significance for the Communist party.