Here’s Why GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE Keeps Succeeding

Here’s Why GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE Keeps Succeeding

By Movieguide® Contributor

GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE has seen quite “cat-tastic” success since its release in 2021.

The Netflix hit series, aimed at younger children, stars Laila Lockhart Kraner as Gabby, a young girl who begins each episode by “unboxing” a cat-themed package. The package gives clues to what she will be doing that day when she shrinks down to dollhouse size and enters her toy dollhouse.

The series was created by two friends, Jennifer Twomey and Traci Paige, who had a previous history creating children’s shows, notably, the hit ’90s kids show BLUES CLUES.

For GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE, the creators were inspired by the “unboxing” trend that has taken over YouTube.

“We knew there was something there. But we wanted to take it to the next level. So, we started thinking — instead of unboxing a toy or a product, what if we unbox a story?” Twomey said.

Not only is a package and a story unboxed but so is positive thinking.

The Hollywood Reporter said, “What sets GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE apart is its emphasis on what psychologist Carol Dweck, a strong influence for Twomey and Johnson, calls the ‘growth mind-set,’ an outlook that rewards effort over results. Gabby and her feline friends like to say they ‘fail fantastically,’ and celebrate their mistakes as a stepping stone to success. ‘We wanted to create a character that really modeled that mind-set,’ says Teri Weiss, executive vp TV development at DreamWorks. ‘That element of, “I haven’t figured it out yet.”’”

This mindset has helped the show’s star, too.

“All of those moments of positivity in the face of some troubles, I think it’s been really impactful for, I’m sure, the kids, but also me, because now I find myself in times of where I’m struggling,” said Kraner. “I’m like, ‘I don’t know this. I don’t know this.’ and I just hear a little voice in the back of my head going, ‘You don’t know it…yet! Let me try this. Let me try that way.’ That’s such a good thing for anyone to learn but especially kids at such a young age to have that.”

The 100th and final episode was recently filmed, but don’t fret Gabby Cats, the show will air through 2027. In addition to three more years of Gabby, fans can look forward to the upcoming GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE movie, which is set to release in 2025.

Movieguide® previously reported:

From Dreamworks Animation, GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE will be directed by Ryan Crego. Crego previously worked on several Movieguide®’s Teddy Award® winning and nominated projects including TURBO and PUSS IN BOOTS…

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laila Lockhart Kraner will reprise her role as Gabby, who “goes on a road trip with her Grandma Gigi to the urban wonderland of Cat Francisco. But when Gabby’s dollhouse, her most prized possession, ends up in the hands of an eccentric cat lady named Vera, Gabby sets off on an adventure through the real world to get the Gabby Cats back together and save the dollhouse before it’s too late.”

Movieguide® has praised GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE’s “biblical focus on friendship, kindness and forgiveness,” and episodes from Seasons 9 and 10 have earned a +1 content score.

Part of Movieguide®’s review for episodes 10.1-10.3 reads:

Watch JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM →

Quality: - Content: +4

Watch DUMBO (2019) →

Quality: - Content: +2