Since then, it has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time and has been referred to among fans as the 'Barbie Cinematic Universe'. Barbie and the Sensations: Rockin' Back to Earthīeginning with the release of an eponymous video game in 1984, Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and debuted on March 9, 1959, has been featured in a media franchise predominantly consisting of a film series and media formats across technologies like television and the Internet.Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World.