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Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a 2023 American animated fantasy comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a 2023 American animated fantasy comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film follows a shy teenage girl who discovers she is descended from a royal line of sea krakens and is destined to protect the ocean. It was directed by Kirk DeMicco and co-directed by Faryn Pearl.

Premise

The story follows Ruby Gillman, a teenager living in a seaside town who discovers her kraken heritage after breaking a family rule about the ocean. Her discovery leads her toward an inherited role in an underwater royal lineage.

Production

The film was produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Kirk DeMicco, with Faryn Pearl as co-director. The screenplay credits include Pam Brady and Brian C. Brown, with additional story work attributed to Elliott DiGuiseppi.

Cast and characters

Lana Condor voices Ruby Gillman, with Toni Collette as her mother and Jane Fonda as her grandmother. The voice cast also includes Annie Murphy and Colman Domingo.

Release and reception

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken premiered and was released in 2023. Publicly available reviews described it as a family-friendly animated film with mixed critical reception.

Key facts

  • The film's original title is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.
  • It centers on Ruby Gillman, a socially awkward teenager who learns she belongs to a family of krakens.
  • The story combines high-school comedy with fantasy and action elements.
  • The film stars Lana Condor as Ruby, with Toni Collette and Jane Fonda in key voice roles.
  • It was released in 2023 and is rated PG in several markets.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canadian theatres and was reviewed by Canadian entertainment outlets, making it relevant to Canadian audiences interested in family animation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Teenage Kraken?
Teenage Kraken refers to Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, a 2023 animated fantasy comedy about a teenage girl who discovers she is part of a kraken royal family.
Who directed the film?
It was directed by Kirk DeMicco and co-directed by Faryn Pearl.
Who voices Ruby Gillman?
Ruby Gillman is voiced by Lana Condor.
What studio made the film?
The film was produced by DreamWorks Animation.
What is the film about?
It follows a shy teen who discovers she belongs to a lineage of sea krakens and must confront her destiny while navigating high school.

References

  1. AlloCiné — https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=313706.html
    Supports: Original title, release year, runtime, genre, directors, cast, and basic synopsis.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27155038/
    Supports: Plot summary and voice cast information.
  3. DreamWorks Animation — https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/ruby-gillman-teenage-kraken
    Supports: Official premise, production company, and film description.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Gillman,_Teenage_Kraken
    Supports: Release date, director, writers, cast, production details, and reported box-office performance.
  5. Raising Children Network — https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/movie-reviews/ruby-gillman-teenage-kraken
    Supports: Family-oriented synopsis and themes.