This article is part of a series where I search for media from my childhood. In this part, I’ll be finding Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World/Barbie and the Sensations: Rockin’ Back to Earth.
If you Googled “What is the first Barbie movie?”, you would be lied to. You get “Barbie in the Nutcracker“. Now, whilst this is a good movie, and it is technically the first movie, I’d argue that the 1987 television special deserves the title.
Barbie, being the total rock star that she is, fronts the titular band. Along with her bandmates DeeDee, Dana, Diva, and Derek (try saying that five times fast), Barbie and the Rockers are global superstars who are planning to perform one last concert in space. Ambitious, but we love it. Anyway, this concert is to promote world peace… I don’t get it, but if it worked, hey, go Barbie, I guess!
Despite my numerous qualms with this movie, it was one of my favourites to watch as I grew up. All things considered, I do not believe this movie had the recognition it deserves. It is the perfect movie to get that 80s feeling. Regardless of being almost 40 years old, the special is one you should check out, and here’s why…
Who Made the Movie?
Produced by DIC with Saban Productions, Barbie and the Rockers was based on Mattel’s doll line of the same name. The special was originally aired in syndication, but was later released on VHS by Hi-Tops Video.
Of course, as with any TV production, the specials had to have writers. With this creation we were blessed with writing from comic book writer, Bill DuBay (Silver Surfer, 1998), Martha Moran (RoboCop: Alpha Commando, 1998), and Ruth Handler herself… though this might just be that Handler created the characters, so she is considered a “writer”.
Our cast includes director Sharon Lewis (Chicago Med, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) as Barbie and actor Michael Benyaer (Deadpool, 2016) as Ken. We also heard Mary Adams, Sarah Jayson, and Joanne Wilson as the Rockers… However, I’m not sure who voiced Derek, who, by the way, is clearly more forgotten than Allan. Justice for Derek.
The soundtrack is a compilation of songs covered by Sharon Lewis and company, ranging from The Beatles’ ‘I’m Happy Just to Dance With You’, to The Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Do You Believe In Magic?’. In fact, the selection of songs in this movie is a work of art in itself. Kudos to whoever came up with these choices.
Why Was Barbie and the Rockers Made?
It’s no secret that anything Mattel releases media-wise is in an attempt to drive sales of their accompanying toy lines. Barbie and the Rockers: Out of This World is no exception.
In wave 1—possibly the coolest-looking Barbie line—there are five dolls to collect. Wave 2 had six dolls to collect when Ken was added to the roster. Additionally, both waves came with the characters’ instruments; some dolls came with cassette tapes.
Before this special, Mattel avoided producing any media about the dolls; they were reluctant to give the character a predetermined personality. Giving Barbie a personality, in their mind, limited how children would play with the dolls, thus capping their imagination. This changed when Mattel saw the success of Hasbro’s daily cartoon about their doll line, Jem and the Holograms… In response, they created and released one of the greatest TV show pilots of all time. What greater way to get media based on your favourite toy than large corporations’ rivalries?
If you want to learn more about Mattel and Hasbro’s rock band feud, I highly recommend Beauty Inside A Box’s video on YouTube.
Finding the Movie in 2025
The double feature is available to watch on The Internet Archive. You can also find the TV special on YouTube.
If you’ve seen my previous entry in this series, you’ll know that the Internet Archive has had an increase in uploads in recent years. Thankfully, this has made it so much easier for me to find Barbie and the Rockers online. However, I will say that this entry in the series was a little bit of a cheat. Because I found this movie on YouTube quite a few years ago, I was able to show it to my child in their early years.
Despite this, I still think this is a valid entry in my series. Why? Because there are no official releases readily available. We’ve seen numerous recreations of the dolls, and many homages paid… to the dolls. There has been nothing to revive the TV specials, nor the soundtrack to go along with it. The only copies of the soundtrack I was able to find were the super fuzzy-sounding rips from the cassette tapes, here.
However, as it’s not officially available anywhere, the likelihood of losing this special to time is increasing day by day. This is unless you want to spend out on a copy of the VHS, which alone doesn’t fetch too bad a price. But if you wanted to do so, you’d also have to have a VCR. This means you’d have to find one in a car boot sale, charity shop, or spend around £70 on eBay for one.
Of course, I say it in almost everything I write, if anyone has any connections… I wouldn’t be opposed to a remastered release of the tracks. Please, and thank you.
The Story of Barbie and the Rockers
Setting the Scene
Barbie and her four friends (and Ken) are part of a band, aptly named Barbie and the Rockers. We’re introduced to them when they’re finishing up a very successful world tour. Barbie. Looks. Stunning. We see her displayed on the covers of magazines, newspapers, accepting rewards, and even performing for the Queen of England.
We learn that Barbie is named the first ambassador for world peace. Following their final concert in their world tour, Barbie is asked by reporters, “What’s next for Barbie and the Rockers?”… a secret. Barbie says that she has something extra special in the works. We then follow the group to a Space Needle-style restaurant. The band shows their disappointment with the ending of the world tour, looking for something to follow their success. However, Barbie tells them not to fret and starts dancing. Then the band members follow suit. Weird, but we move. I think I’d cry if some random woman started jumping on my table, though.
So What IS Next For Barbie and the Rockers?
The next morning, there’s a special delivery for Barbie. I’m not sure why nothing is addressed to the whole group, but it never is. This special delivery is an invitation; the World Peace Organisation requests her company at a special ball given in her honour. CUE A MAKEOVER SCENE. We love to see it! Barbie and her girlies then go through a transitional montage scene, a la The Princess Diaries. Barbie is in a fairytale-esque dress, pink, sparkly, and finished up with the iconic blue eyeshadow.
Finally, we see Barbie and Ken at the ball; she is “beautiful”… ‘Fantastique!’ She then infiltrates the ball to announce her next concert. Smooth move, Barb. Anyway, her next concert is taking place where no concert has taken place before. Outer space. Even Ken is shocked. Then the Rockers are shocked. I feel like she should have told them before announcing it to the world. Luckily, they’re all excited, besides Derek, who is just… Okay. Here we get ‘Do You Believe In Magic?’, another montage, this time of the group training to go into space, and obviously preparing their outfits. Iconic.
Going Into Space
We get to see the second iconic outfit from Barbie here, when she unveils her pink shuttle. Whilst dressed in her pink garb and shiny silver, star-shaped earrings, Barbie and the group are entrusted, without a professional, to drive their shuttle into space. A disaster waiting to happen.
Barbie and the Rockers are amazed at the sight of the stars and galaxies in space. Time for a space montage! And a true bop to go with it. They then reach the Interstar, a space amphitheatre, and they’re invited in. We meet Dr. Leonard, who takes the group into the Starlight Dressing Room. Ken and Derek leave the girls to get ready. Space makeover montage! We’re 18 minutes in, and we’ve had enough montages for a trilogy of movies.
Dr. Leonard sets up their space stage, which looks like a giant pink daisy with a stage in the middle… I feel like a star shape would’ve been more fitting, but whatever. I didn’t work on this movie. Their only physical audience is the people who work on the Interstar, but the show is being televised globally. We get a list of ‘Thank You’ in multiple languages, then a special song written by Barbie. This isn’t my favourite song to begin with, but the chorus is catchy.
Barbie announces today is the first day of world peace, and this marks the end of the first TV special. However, they were released on the same VHS, so it is one big movie to me.
TV Special Number Two
We pick up at the concert in outer space. Dr. Leonard is thanked, then Barbie and the crew get back into the shuttle and jet off back to Earth. Ken enters the open area with a guitar, and the band starts rocking out. You know, your average activities whilst flying in space. Side note, Derek looks like an X-Man here. Everyone’s instruments magically float to the correct musicians. I always wanted to be the keyboardist.
Some blue stuff starts wiggling around the members. Because they’re not paying attention, as they’re not professional astronauts, there’s trouble happening. Consequently, they get pulled into a time warp. You know it’s a time warp, as there are clocks floating around the shuttle. When they land on Earth, a stupid kid, listening to music whilst lying in a convertible, exclaims “Zowie! A flying saucer!”… It’s a shuttle. Anyway, this is Kim.
The Past
Now that Barbie and the Rockers are back in time, they meet the young girl, Kim, and her father. Kim asks if they’re Martians. Barbie and the crew laugh at her and ask ‘Do we look like Martians?’ Well, let me ask you this, Barbie. What does a Martian look like? Exactly.
Barbie doesn’t seem phased that they’re back in time until she learns it’s 1959, while Kim’s dad is excited that man will go into space. But when Barbie shows a bit of concern about getting back to their real time, Kim lets her know that Dad builds rockets. Go, Dad!
It’s time for 6 grown adults to be shown around by an 8-year-old. The first spot is a fashion store. I’ll say it again… Montage. Anyway, the entire group gets a makeover this time, including Ken and Derek. This was absolutely my favourite scene as a child. The earrings they wear with the huge music notes are still something I want.
The crew piles into a pink Cadillac. However, seat belt safety is not a concern. Kim finds this ‘Neato’. When Ken asks Barbie where she wants to go, she says that movies tell her that ‘Malt Shops’ are the place to go, and surely Kim goes there after school with her friends… Right?… Right…? Womp womp, Kim has no friends. Awkward! Barbie says she has them as friends. Honestly, I’m jealous.
The Malt Shop
Barbie and Kim bolt it into this diner. Surprise, surprise, everyone is amazed at how Barbie looks. The band starts setting up to play a bit of music, and Ken asks Kim if she wants a frozen yoghurt. All of the ’50s people ask what the heck that is, and as a Welsh child in the early 2000s, this joke was wasted on me. I, too, did not know what a frozen yoghurt was. So he offers her a banana split. Let me tell you, Kim’s banana split looks absolutely divine.
Here we hear ‘Do You Wanna Dance?’ and it’s cute seeing the guys ask the girls to dance. We see them all dancing, throwing off their shoes, and even a police officer dancing outside the window. Barbie and the Rockers have fans, and some fangirls are amazed that Kim knows them.
Montage Number Eight Thousand, Four Hundred And.. Twenty Three
If you get the subheading, I like you.
In the next montage, Barbie is releasing vinyls, appearing in magazines, and having a ton of photoshoots. She’s a global superstar, yet again. The president has asked the band to play at the opening of a new wing at the space centre. When being interviewed about the concert, she almost lets slip that she is from the future. Up until now, I didn’t know it was a secret.
She announces they’re doing a “Rock to the Stars” concert, in honour of humanity reaching for (and getting to) the stars. News spreads globally, and when an astronaut says he can’t wait to get into space, but he doesn’t want to miss Barbie’s concert, Kim shows up with Dad. Dad has worked out how to get them home.
Dad explains that the position of the planets and the musical chords they played triggered a time tunnel. To get back to their time, they need to replay the musical chords with the planets in the same position. A challenge. Luckily, the planets will be aligned correctly on the night of the band’s concert.
Kim wants Barbie to stay, but Barbie says NAY. So then, Kim suggests going with Barbie. Yet again, it’s a NAY. But Barbie has a hunch that they will see each other again. Taking off her necklace and handing it to the young girl, Barbie and Kim say their goodbyes. Kim cries and sounds like a grown woman. Following this, Barbie and the Rockers play their music on the stage, with lights flashing everywhere and a gigantic crowd cheering for them.
The Ending of Barbie and the Rockers
Waving goodbye, the crew get back into their shuttle whilst making a show of it, obviously. Dad pulls a lever, and the entire stage glows blue. The band plays their notes, and Barbie and the Rockers are whisked off back to their time. Kim blows Barbie a kiss… Honestly, Kim, you could’ve picked Dana as your favourite member. Hell, Ken bought you a banana split for Christ’s sake.
Playing at a concert back in the future, Barbie sees someone in the huge crowd. The woman calls out to Barbie and reveals the necklace locket. It’s Kim! Barbie gets excited that Kim has grown up, and Kim announces that she’s there with her daughter, Megan. Megan’s funny. “Barbie! Wow, Mommy really does know you!” She truly thought her mother was a bare-faced liar.
Adult Kim sounds drugged up, I’m not gonna lie. But Megan calls Barbie her favourite, and Kim says Barbie is everybody’s favourite. Can you say “Subliminal Messaging”?
The Influence Barbie and the Rockers Had On Me
If you have been following my Melltith_Makes Instagram from the very beginning, you’ll remember that my profile photo was Barbie herself.
Besides being a sort of muse for my arts, Barbie influenced my tastes in fashion and music.
First, I’ll talk about my creations. The one that could just be a blatant rip from Mattel’s design board is the handbag I made for the premiere of The Barbie Movie. Though this is the only explicitly “Barbie” item I’ve created, I’ve shown a great interest in doll re-paints. Not only this, but I’ve been wanting to dabble in fashion design, which, by the sheer amount of makeover montages in it, was probably influenced by this movie.
Music
Due to the hot tracks covered by Barbie (and the rockers), my taste in music definitely has 80s influences. With bangers such as ‘Do You Believe in Magic?’, ‘Rockin’ Back’ and ‘Here Comes My Baby’, the soundtrack had no chance of being awful.
Now, you might argue, “your parents could have influenced your taste in 80s music”. No. My mother was an actual rocker, listening to bands like W.A.S.P., Black Sabbath, and Scorpions, and my dad’s favourite music includes Pink Floyd, Rush, and Iron Maiden. There’s not a snowflake’s chance in Hell that I like 80s pop because of them. Not only that, but listening to the original versions of the songs covered in the movie just sounds wrong to me.
Fashion
Before my health depleted enough to make me not care about how I look, my hair was always tidy, dyed bright colours, and I wore a lot of leather-style trousers and skirts. It would be an absolute lie if I said that wasn’t inspired by the blonde bombshell that defined my childhood. I’ve always been a fan of large plastic earrings, and looking back, I can see the inspiration stems from Barbie and the Rockers. Whether it’s a large acrylic triangle or neon green hoops, you can guarantee that I love anything bright, bold, and dramatic.
The town I live in has an annual 80s festival. One of my favourite looks ever on myself was when I dressed up for this event. With my leather-style leggings, a shiny pink shirt, and my hair (which was pink at the time) in a curly half-down, half-up do; I definitely looked like one of the Rockers. Unfortunately, my hair wasn’t as big as I’d have liked it to be.
Another thing is that the particular shade of pink Barbie wears reminds me of the 80s. When making an outfit inspired by the decade, I flock to the pink racks in stores, and my hair curlers will never be out of a job. A big perm is just the epitome of 80s fashion to me.
If you’re curious about my upcoming articles about lost media, be sure to join our Discord or bookmark our website to follow along. Check out the other entries in this series here.
You can also leave your childhood media in the comments below. You never know, maybe you’ll help me find something old but new that I’ll fall in love with!
Dividers provided by @thecutestgrotto on Tumblr.
Melltith, or Melty, enjoys cosier or slower paced games and likes to take her time with things.
She's a very crafty person who will throw her all into a multitude of new projects and skills.