When you step into Gabby’s Dollyhouse, you’re never too old to play.
Based on the hit children’s series, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie takes us to meet Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) as she and her favourite magical toys find themselves in the crosshairs of Vera (Kristen Wiig), a cat litter mogul who has an eye for collectables. Sensing value in Gabby’s dollhouse, she brings it home with the intent of putting it on display. This sets Gabby on a mission to retrieve her furry friends, hoping to save them from being put in storage and missing out on all the fun.
Admittedly, like the show, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is a film that targets younger audiences. And that’s a good thing. This isn’t a film that tries to mature its characters in an attempt to draw in older viewers. Instead, it simply lets the show be the show. Yes, they may have moved out of the playroom but that same spirit of innocence and joy that made Dollhouse a hit with smaller kids is at work here. (The characters even interact with the audience directly, just like on the small screen.)
(from left) Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) and Gigi (Gloria Estefan) in DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, directed by Ryan Crego.
However, even though the project is focused on young ones, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t fun to be had for the parents who take them to see it. In fact, Dollhouse does have some humour that will hit with adults. (For example, jokes involving Mr. Spielberg or the endless void of darkness were genuinely funny.)
What’s more, Dollhouse gets a lot of fun out of its cast. Finally out of her playroom, Lockhart Kraner brings the same innocence that has defined her character over the years. As Gabby’s gigi, Gloria Estefan seems to be enjoying herself as she brings wisdom and grace to the film. And, embracing her mustache-thwirling character, Kristin Wiig is deliciously silly as the film’s central villain.
However, it’s Jason Mantzoukis’ stuffy of madness that may steal the movie. As Chumsly, Mantzoukis brings his trademark chaos (age-appropriately, of course) into the dollhouse. He’s silly, fiery and determined… but also heartfelt. Without giving too much away, Chumsly has good reason to be upset and he isn’t really sure how to deal with his emotions, leading to some good moments for kids.
from left) Carlita (Carla Tassara), Refrigerator (Fortune Feimster), Pandy Paws (Logan Bailey), Pillow Cat (Sainty Nelsen), Daniel James ‘DJ’ Catnip (Eduardo Franco), Cakey Cat (Juliet Donenfeld), Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner), Kitty Fairy (Tara Strong), Baby Box Cat (Maggie Lowe), MerCat (Secunda Wood) and CatRat (Donovan Patton) in DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, directed by Ryan Crego.
And the Dollhouse does take Gabby on an interesting journey about the importance of play. As she’s beginning to grow up, pressure seems to be mounting for her to be more mature. Even so, while Gabby’s life is changing, she still loves to play with her toys. But Gabby’s journey is held in juxtaposition to that of Vera’s. For Vera, playtime was fun but adulthood means putting her toys away. She believes that holding on to the joy of her childhood means leaving them on a shelf as a distant memory of days gone by. After all, they’re no longer toys.
“They’re collectables,” Vera repeats.
Kristen Wiig as Vera in DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, directed by Ryan Crego.
That inability to play has also made Vera’s life bland. She’s bitter, frustrated and entirely concerned with making money. But Gabby and Gigi have taken a different approach. To them, play is simply part of life. It’s not about ‘staying young’ but about holding on to joy.
At the same time, Dollhouse deserves credit for not entirely demonizing adulthood for kids. It’s one thing to suggest that kids need to hold on to that place within them where they can still celebrate innocence and life. It’s another thing entirely to make adults the ‘villain’ because they’re too old.
Thankfully, Gabby’s Dollhouse manages to walk the fine line between these two worlds. The film acknowledges that Gabby is growing up and that brings change. However, it doesn’t mean that they need to entirely lose what makes our youth so beautiful along the way. Gabby’s Dollhouse knows that it’s important to just keep playing, no matter how old you are. And there’s something sweet about that messaging that breathes life into the film.
Laila Lockhart Kraner as Gabby in DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, directed by Ryan Crego.
Again, Gabby’s Dollhouse really is a film that cares about the show’s primary audience of youngsters. Yet that doesn’t mean that parents can’t enjoy it as well, if they embrace their inner child. And, hey, it just might lead to some great playtime with your kids after the credits roll.
Gabby’s Dollhouse is available in theatres on Friday, September 26th, 2025
