Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is a whimsical, live-action/CGI hybrid adventure from DreamWorks Animation.
The film was inspired by the massive success and heartfelt charm of the original Gabby’s Dollhouse preschool series, created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey. The show’s unique blend of live-action and animation, surprise unboxing, and whimsical cat-themed adventures resonated with kids and families worldwide, becoming one of Netflix’s top preschool hits.
Based on the beloved preschool series, the film follows Gabby (played by Laila Lockhart Kraner) and her Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan) on a road trip to the urban wonderland of Cat Francisco. But things take a magical detour when Gabby’s prized dollhouse ends up in the hands of eccentric cat lady Vera (Kristen Wiig), sparking a real-world quest to reunite the Gabby Cats and save the dollhouse before it’s too late.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie was directed by Ryan Crego, known for his work on Arlo the Alligator Boy and Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh.
Crego also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Melanie Wilson LaBracio, Adam Wilson, Faryn Pearl, Kirk DeMicco, and Elisa Bell.
The film was produced by Steven Schweickart, with series creators Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey serving as executive producers. Their combined storytelling experience helped bring the whimsical world of Gabby and her magical dollhouse to life on the big screen.
Ryan Crego is a writer, director, producer, and voice actor born and raised in Northern California. He’s best known for creating and directing Arlo the Alligator Boy and its companion series I ♥ Arlo for Netflix. With a background in animation and music, Crego has contributed to major titles like Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, and Shrek Forever After. His storytelling often blends heartfelt optimism with quirky humor, and he brings that same spirit to Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie as its director and co-writer.
Melanie Wilson LaBracio is an accomplished writer and producer specializing in children’s entertainment. Alongside her brother Adam Wilson, she’s co-written for beloved series like Muppet Babies, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Treehouse Detectives, and Tumble Leaf. She’s also the creator of The Adventures of Knickerbock Teetertop. Known for her lyrical storytelling and knack for whimsical worlds, Melanie helped shape the screenplay for Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie.
Adam Wilson, Melanie’s writing partner and brother, is a seasoned screenwriter with a focus on preschool and family content. Together, the Wilson siblings have built a reputation for crafting imaginative, character-driven stories across television and stage. Their collaborative work includes Disney on Ice, Marvel Universe Live, and multiple streaming series. Adam’s contributions to Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie reflect his playful narrative style and deep understanding of young audiences.
Faryn Pearl is a director, writer, and storyboard artist whose career spans both television and feature animation. Raised in New Jersey, she discovered her passion for storytelling through drawing and acting, eventually co-directing Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken for DreamWorks. Pearl’s work is known for its humor, emotional clarity, and vibrant character design. Her role as co-writer on Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie adds a fresh, expressive voice to the film’s creative team.
Kirk DeMicco is an acclaimed filmmaker with a rich history in animated storytelling. He co-wrote and directed The Croods, earning an Academy Award nomination, and later directed Vivo and Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken. A graduate of USC, DeMicco began his career as a journalist in Italy before transitioning to screenwriting and directing. His work often explores themes of family, adventure, and self-discovery, making him a natural fit for the whimsical world of Gabby.
Elisa Bell is a veteran screenwriter whose career spans over two decades in Hollywood. She’s known for writing Vegas Vacation, Sleepover, and Little Black Book, and has worked with industry icons like Steven Spielberg and Diane Keaton. Bell’s writing blends comedy, mystery, and heartfelt drama, and her contribution to Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie brings a seasoned perspective to the film’s playful narrative.
Traci Paige Johnson, co-creator of Gabby’s Dollhouse, is an animator, writer, and voice actress best known for creating Blue’s Clues and voicing the iconic pup Blue. A Northwestern University alumna, she pioneered a signature cutout animation style using construction paper and textures. Her work emphasizes creativity, emotional intelligence, and interactivity, which she continues to champion through Gabby’s world.
Jennifer Twomey, also a co-creator of Gabby’s Dollhouse, is a producer and writer with a long history in children’s television. She was a supervising producer on Blue’s Clues and co-created Team Umizoomi. Twomey’s storytelling is known for its educational depth and imaginative flair, and she plays a key role in shaping the heart and humor of Gabby’s adventures.
