Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie

Sep 25, 2025::: Took my three boys ages 6 and 4 to see this today and honestly I couldn't be happier we went. From the very beginning I knew it was the right choice. The kids were wide eyed the whole time, laughing, clapping, and completely engaged. As adults we were entertained too since it included some of our favorite comedians ( Kristin wiig and Rafi (Jason mantzoukas?!!!). It is rare to find a movie that truly works for both kids and parents but this one did fr.

The cast is excellent, the humor feels fresh without trying too hard, and the music is modern and fun. At one point a song came on and I felt like I was back in 6th grade at a school dance. This movie really is for everyone. The animation is beautiful with so many details that stand out, and the story is simple enough for the kids to follow while still being clever enough for us to enjoy. Heard my grown man partner laugh several times!

Pro tip...! Highly recommend watching with Gabby Ears. We picked some up at Regal LA Live for ten dollars and they made the whole experience even more fun. (Saw them at a big name red logo store for $17.99...!) Little touches like that made it feel special for the boys.

Walking out, they were already talking about their favorite NEW characters and moments. For me, I just loved that it felt like a real family outing where everyone got something out of it. I would absolutely recommend this to other parents looking for a fun theater experience. Gigi and I have a favorite mini drink in common so I also felt validated haha!

Let's get one thing straight, if you are old enough to craft up a review and have an IMBD account, this movie may not be for you. I see reviews here talking about "no teachable moments" or it's "too silly" and I want everyone to understand this is a fun movie for children. It's fun and silly and exciting. By daughter and her friend loved it this move and their little faces lit up throughout the movie.

Adults going into these movies with unrealistic expectations of seeing an absolute banger is just "too silly".

Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie brings the hit preschooler cartoon to the big screen in an even bigger way, with higher quality animation, new characters, an expanded world, a deeply heartfelt message addressing the fears of becoming an adult, and surprising character depth to Gabby herself. The movie is elevated far beyond just a longer episode of the series, expanding to fun new locations, showcasing the origin of the dollhouse, and adding higher stakes that could lead to the dollhouse losing its magic forever.

Yes, it is a movie for preschoolers, but it is an excellent one with nearly non-stop comedy and adventure. There is a wide variety of jokes so there's something for everyone, but there are also slower moments to highlight Gabby's inner conflict and her fear that she will leave the GabbyCats behind as part of her childhood when she grows up. The overall message highlights that you don't have to let go of fun, wonder, and other "child-like" things when you become an adult, making the movie's theme relevant to anyone of any age.

Gabby and her friends traverse to a variety of locations and meet a load of new characters (mostly animated but a few human), and the movie never feels dull or repetitive. Vera played by Kristen Wiig is a highlight, playing a highly comedic role throughout while also being a piece in the film's emotional anchor.

The film's main issue is that not all of the characters and events seem to serve a purpose, particularly Cookie Bobby, who appears towards the film's ending and hardly gets any screentime. It's difficult to figure out why he was included for anything other than an extra character for merchandise.

Regardless, this is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud, and engaging movie for the whole family that brings the Gabby's Dollhouse franchise to a whole new level, while retaining the excellent music identity, valuable lessons, and lovable characters from the Netflix show.

This film is special; it's clearly made for children, yet it's incredibly fun. Gabby's dollhouse at the end symbolizes a kind of legacy.

I think there's nothing wrong with this film. I haven't seen a film that so vividly portrays children's joy and happiness in a long time.

In short, I hope the Arts Theatre doesn't forget to continue making these truly wonderful children's films. This film is clearly wholesome, fun, and as sweet as candy.

GABBY'S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE

This one was easily one of the most anticipated movies of the year for us! My daughter loves the show-actually, the whole family does. So come opening night, we were there.

I did wonder how they'd manage to stretch the show into a full-length movie, but they nailed it! It's just as fun as the series. It almost plays like a handful of episodes strung together, but with a bigger, connected story-and for once, real villains in Vera and Chumsley.

The overall scope felt grander, with Gabby, the Dollhouse, and all the cats leaving the bedroom for new adventures. It was also great seeing more of Laila Lockhart Kraner as Gabby, and of course, the returning voice cast all did a fantastic job. The new additions fit right in, adding extra life to the story.

Kristen Wiig was hilarious, almost like she was doing an SNL skit the whole time-and I mean that in the best way possible. Out of the new characters, Cookie Bobby was my favorite. They brought just the right amount of freshness without making things feel overcrowded. All the Gabby Cats are along for the ride and each play their part, but I will say there just wasn't enough DJ Catnip. He's my favorite Gabby Cat, and he felt underutilized-no song from him either, which was disappointing since he's the musical one!

Speaking of songs, there were a couple of originals that were really enjoyable, mixed in with some familiar pop tracks. The visuals and animation also stepped up big-time, giving the whole movie that true 'cinematic' feel. The bigger set pieces, enhanced animation, and expanded landscapes all added to the story and made everything feel truly magical.

Overall, this was such a fun movie. We laughed, sang, and my daughter even got up and danced in the theater! On top of the fun, it also carried a nice message about growing up, the importance playing, imagination, and staying young at heart. If your kids are fans of the show, they'll absolutely love it-and parents will have a great time too.