DreamWorks Animation has officially unveiled the first trailer for Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, marking a major leap from streaming stardom to cinematic spotlight. Scheduled for theatrical release on September 26, 2025, this feature-length debut builds on the massive success of the Gabby’s Dollhouse series on Netflix—one of the most-watched preschool shows in recent years.
A Magical Road Trip with Gabby & Grandma Gigi
The trailer offers a colorful and imaginative glimpse into the film’s new storyline, blending live-action and animation in a seamless way that mirrors the show’s signature format. This time, young Gabby (played again by Laila Lockhart Kraner) embarks on a heartfelt journey to Cat Francisco, a fantastical feline-filled city, alongside her lively Grandma Gigi, voiced by music legend Gloria Estefan.
But the trip takes a dramatic twist when Gabby’s beloved dollhouse is mysteriously stolen by Vera, an eccentric cat collector voiced by Kristen Wiig. This sets Gabby on an adventurous real-world quest to reunite with her magical kitty friends and restore the heart of her playful universe.
A Star-Studded Voice Cast for a Fan-Favorite Franchise
Backed by the creative team that helped shape the success of the original series, the film is directed by Ryan Crego (Arlo the Alligator Boy) and produced by Steven Schweickart. The project brings together a stellar cast of comedians and voice talents, including:
- Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, Despicable Me) as Vera
- Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live)
- Kyle Mooney (SNL, Brigsby Bear)
- Melissa Villaseñor (SNL, Toy Story 4)
- Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, Night at the Museum)
- Jason Mantzoukas (The Good Place, Big Mouth)
- Fortune Feimster (Good Fortune, The Mindy Project)
From Netflix to the Big Screen: A Major Milestone
Since its premiere in 2021, Gabby’s Dollhouse has become a go-to favorite for preschool audiences, praised for its blend of creativity, problem-solving, and positivity. Its YouTube channel has racked up hundreds of millions of views, and the show has expanded into merchandise, books, and live appearances.
The movie not only extends the franchise into theaters for the first time, but it also signals DreamWorks’ growing confidence in preschool IPs as big-screen contenders. Following the success of films like Trolls and The Boss Baby, this marks a strategic move to develop original theatrical content for younger viewers.
What Parents Should Know
The movie retains the core values of the show—curiosity, kindness, and teamwork—while offering a richer narrative arc suited for a longer runtime. The hybrid format also allows for a more immersive experience, blending real-world settings with vibrant animated sequences in the dollhouse universe.
Fans young and old can expect new songs, new characters, and plenty of glitter, giggles, and Gabby magic when Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie lands in theaters this fall. It’s a family event that aims to deliver both emotional depth and delightful spectacle.
Key Takeaways
- Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie premieres in theaters September 26, 2025, featuring a road trip adventure with Gabby and Grandma Gigi.
- Oscar nominee Kristen Wiig joins the cast as Vera, an eccentric cat lady who plays a significant role in the film.
- The movie represents DreamWorks Animation’s first theatrical adaptation of the globally successful streaming series.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie Overview
The first-ever theatrical adaptation of the popular children’s series transforms Gabby’s miniature adventures into a full-length cinematic experience. The film expands the beloved world of tiny cat characters while maintaining the show’s core themes of imagination and flexible thinking.
Synopsis and Storyline
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie follows Gabby and her grandmother Gigi as they embark on an exciting road trip that takes an unexpected detour. The journey quickly becomes complicated when Gabby’s treasured dollhouse accidentally ends up in the possession of an eccentric cat lady named Vera.
This mishap launches Gabby into her biggest adventure yet as she must recover her prized possession. The trailer reveals that Gabby will need to use her magical cat ears and quick thinking to navigate this new challenge.
The film appears to maintain the series’ focus on problem-solving and creativity while expanding the stakes beyond the typical miniature adventures fans are familiar with. The road trip format allows for new settings and characters while keeping the dollhouse central to the story.
Production Team and Direction
DreamWorks Animation has elevated their popular streaming series to the big screen, marking an important milestone for the franchise. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 26, 2025.
The production team likely includes key creators from the original series:
- Ryan Crego – Executive Producer
- Traci Paige Johnson – Creator
- Jennifer Twomey – Creator
These experienced animation professionals have maintained the show’s distinctive charm while adapting it to a feature-length format. The production represents DreamWorks Animation’s commitment to developing their successful children’s properties across multiple platforms.
The movie appears to balance familiar elements that young fans expect with new story components that justify the theatrical experience.
Animation and Visual Style
The official trailer showcases the film’s distinctive animation style which maintains the series’ signature mixed-media approach. The visual aesthetic combines:
- 3D animation for the “real world” scenes
- More stylized animation for the dollhouse sequences
- The characteristic blend of different artistic techniques
This unique visual approach helps distinguish the movie from other animated children’s films. The larger production budget appears to have enhanced the animation quality while preserving the colorful, tactile feel that makes the show appealing to its preschool audience.
The film’s expanded visual world allows for more detailed environments and character animations, particularly in scenes featuring the various cat characters. The transitions between the real world and the miniature dollhouse world seem to remain a key visual element.
Official Trailer Launch and Release Details
DreamWorks Animation has officially unveiled the eagerly anticipated trailer for “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie,” transforming the beloved Netflix streaming series into a theatrical release. The colorful trailer showcases Gabby and her cat friends embarking on an exciting new adventure.
Trailer Highlights
The official trailer reveals that the movie will follow Gabby and her grandmother Gigi on a road trip that takes an unexpected turn when Gabby’s prized dollhouse goes missing. This new storyline expands beyond the familiar format of the Netflix series while maintaining its signature charm.
The preview features vibrant animation that brings the miniature world to life with greater detail than the streaming show. Fans will recognize familiar characters including Pandy Paws, CatRat, and MerCat, all appearing in enhanced animation quality.
The trailer also hints at original music created specifically for the film, maintaining the catchy, upbeat style that made the series popular among young viewers.
Release Date and Streaming Platforms
“Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” is scheduled for theatrical release on September 26, 2025 in the United States. Universal Pictures is handling the distribution, marking an important milestone as the first theatrical release for this Netflix streaming original.
The film will initially be exclusive to theaters, with no simultaneous streaming release announced yet. This strategy differs from many recent children’s animated features that opted for direct-to-streaming models.
After its theatrical run, the movie is expected to join the Netflix library, though the specific streaming date remains unconfirmed. International release dates will likely be staggered following the US premiere.
Marketing and Live Promotions
Universal has launched a comprehensive marketing campaign that extends beyond the trailer release. Official movie posters featuring Gabby and her cat companions have been distributed to theaters nationwide and shared across social media platforms.
The marketing team has planned mall tours and live events where children can interact with life-sized versions of the dollhouse and meet costumed characters. These events will begin three months before the theatrical release.
Tie-in merchandise including toys, clothing, and publishing materials are being developed to coincide with the film’s release. McDonald’s is reportedly partnering for a Happy Meal promotion featuring miniature versions of characters from the movie.
Social media campaigns across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram will target both children and parents with behind-the-scenes content and character spotlights in the months leading up to release.
Voice Cast and Characters
The film brings together an impressive lineup of talented voice actors portraying both human characters and the animated cat friends that inhabit Gabby’s magical dollhouse. The cast combines returning voice actors from the series with exciting new additions from the comedy world.
Main Cast
Laila Lockhart Kraner returns as the voice of Gabby, the enthusiastic tween who shrinks down to play in her magical dollhouse. Kristen Wiig joins the cast as Vera, an eccentric new character who brings additional comedy to the film.
Gloria Estefan portrays Grandma Gigi, Gabby’s grandmother, in a dual role where she voices both the live-action and animated versions of the character. This multigenerational relationship adds emotional depth to the story.
The comedy talent extends further with Thomas Lennon, Jason Mantzoukas, and Fortune Feimster taking on supporting roles. Ego Nwodim, Kyle Mooney, and Melissa Villaseñor round out the human cast with their distinctive comedy styles.
Featured Gabby Cats and Friends
The beloved cats from the series return with their original voice actors. Pandy Paws, CatRat, Cakey, DJ Catnip, Baby Box, and MerCat all feature prominently in the film with their familiar voices that fans have come to love.
Each cat brings their unique personality to the big screen adventure. CatRat continues his scientific experiments, while Cakey bakes up special treats. DJ Catnip provides the musical backdrop, and Baby Box delivers adorable moments throughout.
The trailer highlights Cat Francisco, a cool new character joining the dollhouse family. The film also introduces several other cat characters not previously seen in the series, expanding the colorful world inside Gabby’s magical dollhouse.
Franchise Expansion and Cultural Impact
The success of Gabby’s Dollhouse has transformed it from a streaming series into a multi-platform phenomenon with significant cultural relevance. DreamWorks Animation’s decision to elevate the property to feature film status marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s evolution.
Merchandise and Toy Line
The Gabby’s Dollhouse toy line has become one of the fastest-growing preschool brands in recent years. The merchandise strategy cleverly capitalizes on the show’s core “unboxing” concept, with toys that mirror the Cat Collections featured in the series.
Spin Master, the main toy licensee, reports that the Gabby’s Dollhouse playsets consistently rank among top-selling toys in the preschool category. The dollhouse itself, complete with character figures and accessories, has become particularly sought after during holiday seasons.
Beyond toys, the franchise has expanded into clothing, bedding, backpacks, and publishing. The book series includes both story-based titles and activity books, with over 15 titles currently available through Random House Children’s Books.
Accolades and Recognition
Gabby’s Dollhouse has garnered significant critical acclaim since its 2021 debut. The series received an Emmy nomination in the Children’s and Family category, specifically for Outstanding Preschool Series.
The show has been praised for its blend of animation styles, educational content, and positive messaging around creativity and problem-solving. Common Sense Media awarded the series a 4-star rating for its age-appropriate content and diversity.
Industry publications like Animation Magazine have highlighted the show’s innovative approach to preschool programming, placing it alongside DreamWorks Animation’s other successful adaptations like Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.
Related Titles and Influence
Gabby’s Dollhouse has influenced the development of other preschool content across streaming platforms. Its success has prompted DreamWorks to expand its preschool offerings, competing directly with established networks like Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.
The show’s distinct visual style—combining 2D animation, 3D elements, and live-action segments—has been noted as particularly innovative. Several newer preschool series have adopted similar mixed-media approaches.
The franchise has created cross-promotional opportunities with other DreamWorks properties like The Croods franchise. Additionally, the successful transition from streaming to theatrical release is being closely watched by industry analysts as a potential model for other popular children’s streaming content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans of the popular children’s series have many questions about the upcoming Gabby’s Dollhouse film. The movie brings the beloved characters to the big screen with new adventures and special guest stars.
What is the release date for Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie?
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie will be released in theaters on September 26, 2025. DreamWorks Animation has confirmed this theatrical release date in their official trailer.
This marks the first time the popular streaming series will make the jump to movie theaters, giving fans a chance to experience Gabby’s adventures on the big screen.
Can you tell me about the plot of Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie?
The movie follows Gabby and her sidekick Pandy Paws as they embark on their biggest adventure yet. Based on trailer information, the story takes place in Cat Franscisco, a feline-themed version of the famous city.
The film expands on the magical elements fans love from the series, featuring the colorful cats and creative crafts that have made the show popular with young viewers.
Who are the cast members featured in Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie?
The movie features both familiar voices from the series and new additions. Most notably, Kristen Wiig joins the cast in a special role for the film adaptation.
The regular cast of cat characters that fans know from the Netflix series will also appear, maintaining continuity with the show that children have come to love.
Where can viewers watch Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie?
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie will be shown exclusively in theaters starting September 26. Unlike the series, which streams on Netflix, the film will have a traditional theatrical release.
After its theatrical run, the movie will likely move to streaming platforms, though specific details about digital release dates haven’t been announced yet.
What age group is Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie appropriate for?
The movie is designed primarily for young children, especially preschool and early elementary school viewers who enjoy the original series. The content follows the same kid-friendly approach as the Netflix show.
Parents can expect the film to contain the cute cats, crafts, and colorful magic that define the Gabby’s Dollhouse series, making it appropriate for young viewers.
Are there any special guest appearances or collaborations in Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie?
Kristen Wiig is the most prominent special guest star announced for the film. Her involvement has been highlighted in promotional materials and the official trailer.
DreamWorks Animation has elevated this production from the streaming series format, suggesting there may be additional special collaborations that will be revealed closer to the release date.
