Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

Ruby Gillman is a shy, awkward high school student who discovers a surprising piece of her heritage: she is descended from the legendary line of kraken queens. The ocean’s fierce guardians, the kraken, stand against a faction of mermaids who crave power and seek to bend the seas to their will. As Ruby learns she is next in line to inherit the throne from her formidable grandmother, she must come to terms with a power she barely understands. With help from friends and family, she trains to wield her new abilities while staying true to the values she holds dear. She learns to trust friends she once overlooked and to face fears beneath the tide.

Directed by Kirk DeMicco, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a DreamWorks Animation release from 2023. The project is based on an original screenplay by Brian C Brown, Pam Brady, and Elliott DiGuiseppi, featuring the voices of Lana Condor and Toni Collette.

Box office numbers show the film grossing about 46,247,409 worldwide against a 70 million budget. It opened with moderate North American attendance and drew steady interest from international markets, thanks to its bright animation and family friendly humor. While not a blockbuster, the film found an audience looking for a cheerful ocean adventure.

Though not a cultural phenomenon, Ruby Gillman sits among DreamWorks family adventures that emphasize friendship and courage. Lana Condor voices Ruby with warmth while Toni Collette brings a strong maternal presence in Agatha Gillman. The film nods to ocean stewardship and undersea kinship in a playful, accessible way.

Reception focuses on the film's balance of humor and heart, with some critics praising its message about finding self worth and accepting a daunting legacy. The story blends light comedy with action and oceans imagery to deliver a family friendly adventure that also invites conversations about responsibility to the natural world and those you love. Overall, it lands as a solid entry in the studio's lineup.