FILM REVIEW: GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE – THE MOVIE (U)ESP RATING: 4/5

Pure joy for kids – and surprisingly delightful for adults too!

When I asked Gav if I could review Gabby’s Dollhouse, he didn’t exactly put up much of a fight when allowing me to do so!

As a middle-aged man, I’m certainly not the target demographic, but my seven-year-old son really wanted to watch it, and erm... we did. And I must be honest when I say that... I became fully immersed in the experience.

The film stars Laila Lockhart Kraner, reprising her role as Gabby (as from the Netflix TV series), alongside Gloria Estefan as Grandma Gigi and Kristen Wiig as the wonderfully eccentric cat-lady Vera.

When Gabby’s beloved dollhouse accidentally ends up in Vera’s possession, she sets off on a colourful, musical journey to get it back – bringing along her feline friends and a whole lot of imagination.

From the opening moments, the film radiates energy and warmth. The animation is bright and beautifully detailed, and the mix of live action and digital world-building feels seamless. It’s fun, it’s fast-paced, and – crucially – it’s the perfect length for younger audiences.

What really took me by surprise was how much of the humour is clearly aimed at adults. There are plenty of clever one-liners and visual gags sprinkled throughout that kept me grinning as much as my son. The film also breaks the fourth wall frequently, with Gabby talking directly to the audience and encouraging kids to join in, sing-along, and get involved. My son loved it – and before long, I found myself playing along too.

The songs are another standout. Catchy, upbeat, and bursting with positivity, they’re the kind of tunes that lodge themselves in your head in the best possible way. I was tapping my foot the entire time, and I’ll admit I caught myself humming one later that evening.

Now, I’ll confess, I don’t watch the Gabby’s Dollhouse TV show, so I went into this completely fresh. I can’t honestly say how it compares to the series, but as a standalone film, it works wonderfully. It’s heartfelt, entertaining, and even manages to sneak in a few gentle messages about creativity, kindness, and the power of imagination without feeling preachy.

The relationship between Gabby and Grandma Gigi adds genuine warmth to the story, and there’s a lovely sense of nostalgia throughout – a reminder that you’re never too old to play, imagine, or dream.

Sure, it’s not a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece, but it doesn’t need to be. What it is, is a bright, joyful, and well-crafted family film that both kids and adults can enjoy together.

If you’re looking for something cheerful and colourful to watch with the little ones, this is a perfect pick.

It’s imaginative, funny, full of heart and – dare I say it – it’s the purr-fect family movie.

ESP Rating: 4/5

Mike Clarke

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Laila Lockhart Kraner, Kristen Wiig, Jason Mantzoukas & Gloria Estefan

Running Time: 1 Hr 38 Mins

Director: Ryan Crego

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk