Director: Ryan Craigo
Starring: Laila Lockhart Cranor, Jason Mantzoukas, Gloria Estefan and Kristen Wiig
Rating: ★★★
For anyone with kids, gabby’s dollhouse There’s likely been a constant presence in the living room — a light-colored, cat-filled world full of sparkle, kindness, and life lessons. The Netflix hit now comes to the big screen Gabby’s Dollhouse: The MovieDirected by Ryan Craigo. Laila Lockhart Cranor reprises her role as Gabby, an extremely happy-go-lucky girl who can shrink herself to play inside her enchanted dollhouse. The film stars Gloria Estefan as Gabi’s loving grandmother Gigi, and Kristen Wiig plays the extremely eccentric cat-lady villain Vera.
The story begins with Gabby setting out with her grandmother Gigi on a road trip to Cat Francisco City – a cat-like twist on San Francisco where even the Golden Gate Bridge glows lavender and pink. Also accompanying the ride is Gabby’s beloved dollhouse, where her little cat companions – Gabby Cats – live, who wiggle their ears whenever she says, “It’s time to go tiny!” Then it magically comes alive.
Trouble begins when Gabby’s dollhouse accidentally falls into the hands of Vera (Wiig), the self-proclaimed CEO of a glittering cat-litter empire. Vera, who dresses her hairless cat Marlena in identical costumes, is not so much bad as she is tired – an adult who has forgotten to use her imagination. Her plan is to capture the magic of Gabby’s dollhouse and instead display it as a collectible. Teamed up with her talking cat friends – including Keki the Cupcake, Catrat and Baby Box – Gabby must save her little friends and remind Vera (and perhaps the audience) that the imagination is not something to be overdone.
Good
The film’s greatest strength lies in its design – a kaleidoscope of textures, colors and creativity that transforms every scene into a sugar-spin dreamscape. From a winter wonderland made entirely of frosting to donut rafts floating on a syrupy sea, gabby’s dollhouse A universe so visually expansive it feels edible. The animation blends seamlessly with the live-action segments, giving the impression that Gabby’s world is not animated, but alive.
Laila Lockhart Cranor continues to be a bright, energetic presence on screen. While it becomes increasingly difficult to buy into her as a little girl, her warmth and sincerity hold the film together. Gloria Estefan provides just the right touch of grandmotherly grace, and Kristen Wiig steals every scene she’s in—turning Vera into a high-camp caricature who’s part Cruella de Vil, part art-school eccentric. His villainy is never mean-spirited, just delightfully exaggerated.
The interactivity that defines the Netflix series plays out surprisingly well on the big screen. When Gabby turns to the camera and asks the audience to hold hands or repeat behind her, the theater’s youngest audiences respond with unfiltered joy – making the experience feel more participatory than most animated features.
bad
However, for anyone over the age of ten, this candy-coated world can quickly become tempting. The film relies heavily on cat puns, pep talks and peppy pop numbers, which, while undeniably cute, end up becoming repetitive. The plot is borrowed liberally toy Story And trollsBut without the emotional impact or humor that made those films hits across generations.
The animation, though attractive, sometimes reveals its small-screen roots. Some scenes seem more suitable for Netflix than a cinematic release. And while Wiig’s over-the-top villain is entertaining, the emotional arc — about reconnecting with one’s inner child — never goes deep enough to resonate with adults.
Decision
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie Not designed for adults, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s pure, unfiltered escapism for its target audience – a safe, bright and sweet extension of the series that inspired it. For kids, it’s 90 minutes of pure joy; For parents, it’s a harmless, if slightly tiring, trip to the land of glitter and giggles. Still, there’s something undeniably comforting about its message: imagination should never have an expiration date. As Gabby says, “You’re never too old to play.” For a generation growing up too fast, that reminder alone makes this sweet spectacle worth the trip to Cat Francisco.