American Girl Doll News

Today at 7 pm, the American Girl Live tour will perform in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Clowes Memorial Hall! Good luck to the performers and have fun, everyone who's going!

Before toy movies based on dolls were a trend and Mattel had it's own film division, all the way back in 2008, American Girl and Warner Brothers released a little movie into theaters called Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, based on Kit's stories. Despite good reception among critics, the movie underperformed at the box office and didn't turn a profit, leading American Girl to cancel a planned movie musical based on Julie Albright and focus only on direct-to-video movies for the next decade. However, in 2018, something changed. With a new Mattel CEO in Ynon Kreiz, who came from entertainment industry companies like Fox Kids, reality show producer Endemol and video production company Maker Studios, the film division of Mattel was born. With producer Robbie Brenner at the helm, Mattel put it's sights onto making hands-on big-budget movies based on their own products with Hollywood partners. While only one movie from this company has been released so far, that movie was the cultural phenomenon and billion-dollar grossing movie Barbie. With talent from Barbie refusing to make a sequel, it was clear to Mattel more than ever that they need to utilize their other products if they want to make more movies. It seemed that Mattel knew that - by the time Barbie released in July 2023, there were 45 other movie ideas floating around Mattel Films, one of which was American Girl. But the road to making an American Girl movie wasn't the most smooth ride. Mattel's quest to make an American Girl movie began in 2018, over five years ago. At first, they partnered with Original Film, a production company known for the Fast and Furious and Sonic the Hedgehog franchises, in the summer of 2018. However, those plans quickly fell by the wayside for unknown reasons, and American Girl was back in the headlines for a new movie in February 2019 - this time, with the studio MGM and Erik Feig, the former head of Lionsgate's film division, producing. At this time, it seemed that this was going to be it! We were finally going to get an American Girl movie! They were looking for writers and everything! As shown yesterday, however? No. I had my suspicions about both of these parties following through on the promise of an American Girl movie as the years went by and I became more acquainted with the way Hollywood worked. But first, let's start with Erik Feig, as his side of the story is easier to explain. While the American Girl project was announced in February of 2019, in May 2019, Erik opened a new production company called Picturestart. This company focused on more teen/adult centered projects - not the kind of stuff American Girl usually deals with. But subject matter aside, the projects kept piling on at Picturestart. As of 2023, they have a whopping thirty projects in development, not even counting projects that haven't been publicly announced. As other projects became more of a priority to the new company rather than bringing our favorite dolls to the big screen, the project kind of fell by the wayside. And for more reason than one - in 2022, MGM as known in 2019 ceased to exist. In 2022, MGM was bought out by Amazon, and the executives that were behind the American Girl project left the studio due to the ownership change. By 2023, there was an entirely different team at MGM, now named Amazon MGM Studios, and that's pretty much what happens in Hollywood when a studio is bought by new management. Some projects survive, other projects fall to the wayside. We can assume that despite distributing various American Girl specials on Amazon Prime, Amazon's new MGM executives just weren't interested in making an American Girl movie. Once Amazon bought MGM, Mattel probably got the rights to make an American Girl movie back, and they wasted no time into finding another team to make the movie. They found Paramount Pictures, along with book-based production company Temple Hill, who has produced adaptations of book series like Maze Runner and Twilight (and is in the works on adapting way more books!) and this time, they even found a writer in Lindsey Anderson Beer, who grew up with American Girl dolls and wrote the 2018 Netflix movie Sierra Burgess Is A Loser. So, who knows what's going to come of this round of "Making An American Girl Doll Movie"? Will we all be at the movie theater in three or four years watching our favorite dolls come to life, or will I be back on this blog in five years posting that yet another studio and writer is going to try to make an American Girl doll movie happen? All this is to say - Barbie fans had to wait fourteen years from the announcement of a Barbie movie to an actual Barbie movie coming out. We might be in this for the long haul, or we might get lucky and actually see this project come to life!

Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures, and Temple Hill Entertainment are in the works on a feature take of the American Girl doll line. Lindsey Anderson Beer (Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, Sierra Burgess is a Loser) is attached to write the screenplay and produce. Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films, said: “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. 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.” Daria Cercek, Co-President, Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Mattel Films, our friends at Temple Hill, and the incredibly talented Lindsey Anderson Beer to bring American Girl—one of the most iconic doll brands ever—to moviegoers everywhere.” Added Anderson Beer: “Growing up, my sister and I were American Girl girls. 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.” American Girl was founded in 1986 by Pleasant T. Rowland, a teacher-turned-entrepreneur who set out to celebrate girlhood with beautiful dolls and adventurous books that would nourish a child’s imagination and provide education and entertainment. Today, the brand continues to focus on creating authentic, culturally relevant characters and stories that help girls grow up with courage, confidence, and strength of character while remaining a trusted partner to parents. American Girl is overseen by Kevin McKeon and Ivan Sanchez at Mattel, Vanessa Joyce at Paramount Pictures, and Isaac Klausner, Laura Quicksilver, and Annika Patton at Temple Hill. Beer is represented by CAA, Daniel Cohan at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Cheryl Snow at Gang Tyre.

Many things at American Girl have been selling out this year: here's a list of items that have recently sold out that I haven't reported on! Something Navy Crimson Sparkle Sweater Dress Holiday Wish List PJs for WellieWishers Frosty Faux-Fur Shrug Tis The Sequin Accessory Set Holiday Sequin Skirt American Girl Advent Calendar Ballet Costume 1999 Encore Trolls Rainbow Stripe Sleeping Bag Set Frosty Fun Outfit for WellieWishers Glitter Meets Gold Sandals Perfectly Pink Trench Kit's Birthday Outfit Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Tote Pretty Prism Cardigan Sparkly Party Skirt Colorful Confetti Skirt Bows on the Toes Sandals Rainbow Glitter Shoes Mighty Blue Cheerleader Outfit Rah-Rah Red Cheerleader Outfit American Girl Air Lines Flight Attendant Uniform Kira's Accessories Rainbow Unicorn Headband Seize the ZZs PJs Make Some Music Outfit Student Council Election Outfit Julie's Home Game Uniform Kaya's Trading Outfit Samantha's Accessories Garden Party Cardigan Rosy Ruffles Billie Skirt Garden Party Dress Feeling Strong Terry Sweatshirt American Girl Living Room American Girl Kitchen Kit's School Lunch Uno American Girl Card Game Love to Travel Seat for Dolls Explore More Luggage Set American Girl + Xbox Gaming Set

Yesterday was supposed to be the last day you could order American Girl gifts for Christmas online with standard shipping - however, American Girl just extended standard shipping in time for Christmas! Now, you can order until December 17 for delivery in time for Christmas.

Addy Walker is the final Doll of the Month for 2023! Addy Walker is from Philadelphia during the Civil War in 1864. Addy is an enslaved girl who's life changes forever when she is separated from her family. This causes her and her mom to escape slavery and find freedom in the North. Throughout her series, Addy faces challenges as she adjusts to freedom, grapples with the idea of family, and navigates the complexities of rebuilding a new life while holding onto her roots. The stories emphasize themes of perseverance, family, and the pursuit of education despite adversity, offering a poignant look at the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during the 1860s. Addy was released in 1993 and was cubed in 2018.

Three American Girl dolls that recently sold out - the Shimmering Silver collector doll, FAO Schwarz Toy Soldier collector doll, and Gwynn Tan - are still available at the American Girl store in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Girl of the Year 2024 Lila Monetti has proved to be a big hit among American Girl fans: so much so that she is backordered until January 5! She is still available in the Chicago and Los Angeles stores, but sold out everywhere else until the backorder is over. In addition to the doll being on backorder, these items from Lila's collection are on backorder as well: Lila's Gymnastics Competition Outfit - backordered until April 26 Lila's Gymnastics Practice Outfit - backordered until March 22 Lila's Gymnastics Competition Leotard for Girls - Sold Out Lila's Gymnastics Equipment - backordered until March 1 Hollyhock Horse - backordered until February 16 Honeycrisp Hill Horse Stable - backordered until February 2

Corinne's little sister, Gwynn, is now sold out and no longer available, as well as Corinne's pajamas for girls.

The American Girl Shimmering Silver holiday doll is now sold out.

Tonight, a new Miraculous Ladybug special aired on Disney Channel in the USA, entitled Miraculous World: Paris - Tales of Shadybug and Claw Noir. Here's my review of the special! The special, taking place in between the season 5 episodes Destruction and Jubilation, is about a parallel universe where the holder of the Butterfly miraculous, known as Betterfly, is a hero tasked with defeating the holders of the Ladybug and Cat miraculouses, known as Shadybug and Claw Noir. Betterfly seeks help from the main universe's Ladybug and Cat Noir, Marinette and Adrien, while Shadybug and Claw Noir wreck havoc in their universe and team up with Hawkmoth to get the miraculouses they need to make their lives better. I'll admit, since the season 5 finale didn't have the best reception among the Miraculous fanbase due to the sidelining of Adrien's character, I didn't expect much from this special at first. But then, the clips started coming out, and I got intrigued. And then, the actual special premiered (about six weeks ago in France, and tonight in the US), and I absolutely fell in love with everything about it! The alternate characters of Gabriel/Betterfly, Marinette/Shadybug and Adrien/Claw Noir were very fleshed out, and from what little we got to know about the world they live in, it seemed very intriguing and awesome. I could write a whole essay about how deep that part of the lore got, but this isn't supposed to be a thematic analysis essay, so I might save that for my YouTube channel. But while the stars of the show were arguably the alternate characters, the main duo of Marinette/Ladybug and Adrien/Cat Noir got a lot of character development as well, and it was rewarding to watch as a longtime viewer of Miraculous to see that character growth play out, especially with the interactions with their alternate selves from the parallel universe. The action sequences and animation were phenomenal, and I loved the fight choreography, creative uses of the powersets of the Ladybug and Cat miraculouses, and the alternate animation towards the end of the special... if you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about. Overall, I loved this special so much that I cosplayed alternate Marinette to Comic Con yesterday - even though no one knew who I was except my dad, it was worth it! It's my new favorite out of the three Miraculous one-hour specials, and it got only better on tonight's rewatch. I would rate this a 10/10 and recommend it to any Miraculous fans, but wouldn't recommend it for newcomers to the show due to having to watch all 5 seasons of the show and 2 other specials before you watch this one. But if you do want to get into Miraculous, all 5 seasons are on Disney+ and it comes on Disney Channel at least three times a day!

As 2023 draws to a close, Corinne, who was Girl of the Year in 2022, is going to retire soon. Items from her collection are starting to sell out - both Corinne's Ski Outfit and Accessories, as well as Corinne's Ski Lodge Fire Pit, are sold out.