Los Angeles (AP) – When Laila Lockhart Kraner first slid into the headband and cat’s ears “Gabby’s Dollhouse” At the age of 11, she could not have predicted that she would “fantastically fail” the character’s mantra of positivity and resilience without giving up.
Six years later, these lessons are so embedded in Kraner’s life that they became core principles rather than just lines of scripts. The voices of imagination and tenacity familiar to millions of children around the world are now moving out of the series’ cozy living room DreamWorks Animation s’ first live-action animation hybrid film, “Gabby’s Dollhouse: Movie” Opening at the theatre on Friday.
“I’ve said (these lines) many times, so they’re seeping into me,” said Kraner, now 17. “dark,” “The shot was fired,” and the indie thriller “The Secret of Sinchany.” The actor is heading to her fourth grade at a public high school outside of Boston.
“I can hear Gabby in my head and encourage me to continue to smile even when I’m not feeling well,” she said.
Kraner refers to a show aimed at kids “Sesame Street” Tell her how to share and be kind as a foundation for her own childhood. She says it feels surreal to see “Gabby’s Dollhouse” affecting younger audiences the same way.
“I feel really fortunate to be a voice of positivity and a great message for the next generation of children,” she said. “I remember every show I saw as a kid was fundamental to who I am today.
What is the movie?
The big screen debut of “Gabby’s Dollhouse” is the central message of the series: creativity and problem-solving, not just for children, but for all ages.
In the film, Gabby goes on a road trip with Grandma Gigi. Gloria Estefan – To the city of Francisco, Cat, head to Wonderland. However, when her beloved dollhouse falls into Vera’s hands, she is a quirky cat woman who has been nominated for an Oscar. Kristen Wiig, Gabby challenges the real world, reunites with her Gabby Cat friends and saves her precious possessions.
For Estefans, the story’s themes resonate far beyond animation.
“Whenever you can create something that can be a shared family experience, it’s beautiful,” said the 68-year-old singer and actor. She added that her decades of music career demonstrates her the value of imagination at any age.
“Our spirits are not old and we cannot lose hope,” she said. “You can bring play into the world, and you’ll forget a bit about what’s going on. I think this is a really beautiful balance because kids are under a lot of stress.”
Learn from her idol
Kraner said that sharing the screen with Estefan and Wiig made him feel like he was stepping into a masterclass. She grew up listening to Estefan’s music in her family home, calling the singer “so smart and full of wisdom,” adding that she carried the same playfulness that she brought to her acclaimed career on the set.
“She laughs, jokes, and plays pranks,” Claner said of Estefan. “She really embodies the power of play.”
Working with Wiig was equally surreal. Kraner recalls doing comedy exercises in acting classes using Wiig’s “Saturday Night Live” sketches and suddenly discovers he will trade for her in a major film.
“It felt like a comedy masterclass,” Clanner said. “I saw how she transformed into Vera with wigs and nails and so on, then it flowed with improvisations and new ideas. It met all expectations.”
How Gabby’s Dollhouse has grown into a global sense
The series began in 2021 as a 26-episode Netflix order. However, it grew into over 100 episodes and became the most viewed child and family title with 108 million views across the seasons on the platform. Engagement Report covering January to June this year.
Along the way, “Gabby’s Dollhouse” expanded beyond a small screen, transforming into a multi-platform franchise with toys, music, games and live events that reach children around the world.
On YouTube, Gabby content It attracted over 3.6 billion views on full episodes, toy plays and music videos. The official app has been downloaded over 50 million times. The series’ music has exceeded 500 million streams, and the Republic’s record has released a new soundtrack tied to a film featuring K-Pop groups Aespa, Max and Lu Kala.
For director Ryan Crego, the father of a young child, the franchise’s vast success is rooted in something simple: imagination. He says the film was inspired by watching children invent the story in their dollhouse, and his daughter appears on screen as a young Vera, a small but pivotal role that emphasizes the theme of the film.
“Children can instantly develop their imaginations. Adults have to throw away their spider webs,” Crego said. “I wanted my parents to go out, realising that this wasn’t just for the kids. That was for them too.”
That message has been carried over to live performances and physical spaces.
“Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!” It premiered in Australia earlier this year and launched its US tour last week. It has retail partners like camps An immersive experience based on Gabby theme In Los Angeles and Charlotte.
Gabby’s products are already geared at Universal Theme Parks from Orlando to Beijing, and Japan is taking part by the end of the year. And in 2026, Gabby will take the center stage at Universal Kids Resort, a new park in Frisco, Texas.
For Kraner, seeing Gabby’s world spread across the theatre feels like a perfect moment after that.
“Being an actor is just pretending,” she said. “You have to fully believe in the power of play. I think that’s why Gabby connects with kids everywhere.”
