A live-action movie based on the popular Netflix series Gabby’s Dollhouse is now playing in movie theaters with a solid Rotten Tomatoes score. Gabby’s Dollhouse, which premiered in 2021 on the streamer, follows Gabby and her various Gabby Cats as they go on various animated adventures. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is the franchise’s first big-screen adventure.
Laila Lockhart Kraner stars as Gabby, as she and her dollhouse friends visit San Francisco with Gabby’s grandmother, Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan). However, when the dollhouse ends up in the hands of the eccentric cat lady Vera (Kristen Wiig), Gabby must figure out how to retrieve it before it’s too late.
The family-friendly movie, which blends live-action with animation, premiered on September 26, with critics giving it the respectable score of 79% “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. ScreenRant’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie review by Mae Abdulbaki describes it as a “cute, thoughtful film that allows a new generation of kids to contemplate what it means to grow up.” Audiences are also enjoying the movie, with Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie earning a 94% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter from those that have seen it.
What This Means For Families
It’s been a little bit since there was a movie geared toward the family/younger audiences in theaters. The last big new PG movie to release in movie theaters was the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along version in late August, and before that it was Freakier Friday at the beginning of August. So, for families that like to take their kids to the movies, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is the first viable option in a month or more.
That said, as Abdulbaki adds in her review, the movie knows its target audience and doesn’t do a lot to open itself up beyond that, though she does note that there are some valuable lessons for adults as well.
Our Take on Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie’s Rotten Tomatoes Score
A 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes is very respectable, especially for a movie that is geared so heavily towards kids. Beyond ScreenRant’s review, other critics have said that the movie contains some stuff that will be entertaining enough for adults.
Again, this is really the only family movie in town at the moment for families. Outside of re-releases of kid classics like Casper (October 3) and ParaNorman (October 24), the next new kid-centric movie coming to most theaters is the animated movie Sтιтchhead, releasing on October 29. Then, of course, there’s the much anticipated Zootopia 2 arriving Thanksgiving week, November 26.
So, if your kids are Gabby’s Dollhouse fans, and you are looking for a fun activity, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie looks to be a solid option.