Critics Say Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie Is The Cat’s Meow For Younger Audiences, But Will Parents Like It Too?

by

The popular animated series *Gabby’s Dollhouse* is returning with a new season on Netflix in November. But fans can enjoy more Gabby fun even sooner! *Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie* is hitting theaters this weekend. Early reviews are in, so is this movie a good choice for a family outing?

Laila Lockhart Kraner is back as Gabby in the new family movie, a fun mix of animation and real-life scenes. She and her grandma, played by Gloria Estefan, go on a road trip to Cat Francisco. But when Gabby’s dollhouse falls into the hands of a quirky cat lover (Kristen Wiig), Gabby starts an adventure to rescue her Gabby Cats. Owen Gleiberman from Variety says you don’t need to be familiar with the show (which you can watch on Netflix) to enjoy this colorful and charming movie.

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is all about its playful, tactile feel – it’s like stepping into a child’s world that feels wonderfully handmade rather than simply drawn. I hadn’t seen the DreamWorks Animation series on Netflix before watching the movie, but by the end, I felt genuinely connected to the characters. This movie is lighthearted and perfectly safe for very young children, offering a simple and enjoyable experience.

According to Frank Scheck of *The Hollywood Reporter*, this movie is best suited for very young children. While it offers a simple message about staying playful at any age, *Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie* is primarily a lighthearted and silly experience filled with upbeat songs and, as Scheck points out, a lot of cat-related puns.

The ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ movie is clearly aimed at younger kids – the same audience that loves the popular Netflix show (which has 11 seasons and 76 episodes!). That’s perfectly fine, and it could be a great movie night option if you have little ones who need entertaining. However, beyond Kristen Wiig’s involvement, it doesn’t really offer much for viewers who are older than preschool age.

Sean Tajipour from Nerdtropolis gave the *Gabby’s Dollhouse* movie a perfect 5-star rating, describing each part of Gabby’s journey as a delightful and heartwarming experience, like opening a new toy box filled with music and fun. He believes the movie successfully captures what makes the series special and takes it to the next level.

DreamWorks has brilliantly brought the popular show *Gabby’s Dollhouse* to the big screen, and the movie is truly enchanting. *Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie* is a colorful and heartwarming adventure that will entertain both children and their parents, making it a fun family experience. Created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, the show has captured the imaginations of preschoolers since 2021, and now it’s been wonderfully expanded into a full-length animated film filled with joy and laughter.

In a review for ScreenRant, Mae Abdulbaki gave *Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie* a 6 out of 10, describing it as sweetly charming without being overly sentimental. While the movie expands Gabby’s world for a cinematic experience with some format changes, it remains entertaining and engaging for kids, encouraging them to participate through singing and clapping. Abdulbaki further explains:

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is a sweet and heartwarming film that encourages kids to think about growing up and holding onto their imagination. It’s specifically made for its young audience and provides fun entertainment with a surprisingly insightful message for grown-ups too. It won’t appeal to everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.

It’s hard to say if parents will love *Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie* as much as their kids – it likely depends on how much they enjoy the Netflix show. If you go see it when it comes out on September 26, 2025, be prepared for a lively movie experience with lots of singing and clapping!

Read More

2025-09-24 21:23