Universal’s Barbie Movie Replacement Gets Exciting Development Update

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Following the huge success of the Barbie movie, Universal is moving forward with more film adaptations of popular toys. Barbie proved that bringing toy brands to the big screen could be a winning strategy, and now movies based on Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and Magic 8 Ball are officially in development. This marks a significant shift in Hollywood, with more toy properties expected to make their way to theaters.

Universal is developing a movie based on the popular Mattel toy line, Monster High, as part of a broader effort to create new franchises. The film will be directed by Gerard Johnstone, who previously directed M3GAN, and will feature the brand’s well-known monster-themed dolls. The project was first revealed in 2024, and Johnstone joined the team in mid-2025.

The upcoming live-action Monster High movie is moving forward with Hannah Hafey and Kaitlin Smith now confirmed as the scriptwriters, as reported by Deadline. Universal is producing the film.

As a total cinema fan, I’ve been keeping an eye on Hafey and Smith – they’re a screenwriting team really making waves in Hollywood right now. They’ve landed on the Black List – that’s a huge deal – not once, not twice, but three times! I’m especially excited about their first feature film, Rachel Nevada, which is in the works at Paramount and Ryan Reynolds is helping to produce. Plus, they just sold a pilot for a series called Misfit City to HBO Max, so there’s a lot to look forward to from them!

Information about the upcoming Monster High movie is still being kept secret. The popular Monster High doll line first appeared in stores in 2010. The brand revolves around teenage characters who are the children of famous monsters – like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Mummy – and attend a special high school.

The Monster High series has already produced 17 animated movies, which have been released directly to DVD or on streaming platforms like Paramount+.

Why Monster High Could Be the Perfect Barbie Replacement? 

If you loved Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and are looking for something similar, Monster High might be just what you need. Both films are based on popular Mattel toys, and they actually have a lot in common beyond that.

Based on what we’ve seen so far, the upcoming Monster High movie, like Barbie, appears to be aiming for more than just a straightforward adaptation of a popular toy. When Greta Gerwig was announced as the director of Barbie, fans anticipated a film with surprising depth – and the team behind Monster High suggests we can expect a similar level of creative ambition.

Hannah Hafey and Kaitlin Smith are quickly becoming known as talented comedy writers in Hollywood, consistently surprising audiences with their original ideas. Now that they’re working on the Monster High movie, many expect them to bring the same creative energy and fresh perspective to this popular franchise that Greta Gerwig brought to Barbie.

The choice of director also shows the film’s ambition. Instead of hiring just anyone, Monster High teamed up with Gerard Johnstone, a rising star known for directing the 2022 horror hit M3GAN.

With Johnstone directing, the new movie might lean into horror, much like his past films—expect a thrilling and entertaining experience, not just a typical adaptation of existing material.

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2026-01-12 18:34