Barbie and Ken have entertained, inspired, and possibly unnerved children and adults since 1959 and 1961, respectively. In the doll world, as in the human world, these two are fashion–wise, image–conscious, and often looking for fun.

The 2024 Off the Wall rooftop film series, Party Central, is all about finding a good time. The 2023 blockbuster Barbie (PG-13, 114 min.) starts the series in its dance-scene glory.

For Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, each day in Barbieland is like the last: flawless hair, fluffy waffles, golden beach days, and mingling with friends, including Ryan Gosling’s Oscar-nominated Ken. Everything changes when a Mattel employee (America Ferrera) begins drawing ideas for new dolls – like “Irrepressible Thoughts of Death Barbie” – contaminating Barbie’s perfect world with complicated ideas and feelings.

This modern-day Pinocchio tale shows that whether you’re a Barbie or a Ken, simply being human is what everyone wants.

© Warner Bros.

Series Details

Co-presented by the Kansas City Public Library and Young Friends of the Kansas City Public Library.

Attending Off the Wall

• Bring your own blankets or folding chairs for seating. Seating not provided.
• Bring your own food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. No glass containers, please.
• Doors open at 8 p.m. The Central Library closes at 5 p.m. on Fridays, but the doors reopen at 8 p.m. for Off the Wall audiences.
• All movies begin at dusk, approximately 8:45 p.m.
• Parking: Enter the Library District parking garage via Baltimore Ave. Bring your parking ticket to the event for complimentary validation.
• Transit options: take KC Streetcar to the Library stop at 9^th / Main or Ride KC bus routes.
• In case of bad weather, the event may be moved indoors or canceled. Watch event pages or the Library’s social media feeds for updates.