Barney (franchise)

Barney is an American children's media franchise created by Sheryl Leach, Kathryn O'Rourke Parker, and Dennis DeShazer, and currently owned by Mattel. It centers around the titular character Barney, a purple anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus rex who conveys educational messages through songs and small dance routines with a friendly, huggable and optimistic attitude. The franchise consists of three series: Barney & the Backyard Gang (1988—1991), a direct-to-video series consisting of only eight episodes; Barney & Friends (1992—2010), a television series that ran on PBS Kids; and Barney's World (2024–present), a fully computer-animated series airing on Cartoon Network's Cartoonito, and which is currently streaming on Max. A film adaptation, Barney's Great Adventure, was released theatrically in 1998, and a second film is in production at Mattel Films and A24. The franchise is currently distributed by 9 Story Media Group, under license from Mattel Television.

While popular with its intended audience, Barney drew severely negative reaction from the older set, who mocked the title character in popular culture through song parodies and comedy routines such as being beaten up by NBA star Charles Barkley on a Saturday Night Live episode. The anti-Barney phenomenon is the basis of the 2022 Peacock documentary I Love You, You Hate Me. Barney has also received immense praise from parents for being a wholesome yet engaging franchise for children that delves into common, kid-friendly topics.