Barbie's 2019 Dia de Muertos Doll Keeps Going Up

Robert Calendar

Barbie's 2019 doll kicked off a new tradition, and continues to resell for more than new ones.

Key Points

Limited edition that runs once per year, retailing for $75.
2019 edition has done well on aftermarket, reselling for $300 immediately after release. Recent sales are around $600
Doll has a standout design that makes it a must-have for collectors, and the 2019 edition is the most desirable as Mattel changes the design each year

In 2019, Barbie added a new entry to their signature collection. The Dia de Muertos doll became a huge hit among collectors, and sold out through online and physical retailers. Following the success of the doll, Barbie launched a new tradition, and releases a new doll for Dia de Muertos each year. Despite this, the 2019 dolls are still the most popular, and continue to sell over retail.

The Barbie Dia De Muertos doll

You might think skulls and dolls don't mix, but these sold-out Barbies would seem to prove otherwise. Beginning in 2019, Mattel has produced limited edition Barbie dolls to coincide with the Mexican holiday of Dia De Muertos, which falls on the 1st and 2nd of November each year.

These dolls have sold extraordinarily well, despite retailing for $75. On the aftermarket, the 2019 dolls have resold for significantly more than retail.

Barbie starts a new collection

After the success of the 2019 dolls, Mattel has since released a 2020 and 2021 edition (this year featuring a Ken doll as well), each with their own special design. Despite these new releases, the 2019 dolls have maintained their value, and they are actually reselling for around $600, significantly more than at their initial release.

After Mattel revealed that each year would feature a new design, collectors began valuing the 2019 dolls even higher than they had before, and raced to get as many as they could before others caught on.

While nothing has been officially announced, 2022 will likely see the return of these popular Barbies. Mattel has acknowledged noticed the surprise success of the 2019 dolls compared to later editions, and is surely studying how they can replicate that for future products.

Collectors should keep their eyes peeled for future releases featuring eclectic and nontraditional designs, so that maybe they can score the first edition of a future classic.

Macabre or must-have? Give us your take in the comments!