Nearly 40 years on, “Gremlins” is coming back to theaters
Warner Bros is developing a third “Gremlins” film, with the release now pushed to October 2028. Several figures tied to the original films are returning for the project.
Almost four decades after the previous installment hit theaters, the cult horror-comedy franchise “Gremlins” is set to return to the big screen. Warner Bros is working on a third film, bringing back several industry figures closely tied to the originals.
The movie was initially slated to premiere in November 2027, but the studio has now pushed the release to October 6, 2028. Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav first officially confirmed the third film last year, though new details about the project have only emerged this year.
Original team returns
Steven Spielberg will return as executive producer, a role he also held on the original 1984 film. Chris Columbus — director of “Home Alone” and the first two “Harry Potter” films, who wrote the screenplay for the first “Gremlins” movie — will take on both directing and producing duties this time. The new screenplay is being written by Hannah Marks, based on an earlier version developed by Columbus, Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein. The filmmakers have not yet revealed the official title, plot details, or cast.
A franchise built on success
The 1984 original followed a young man named Billy who received a mysterious, endearing creature named Gizmo as a gift. Breaking a few crucial care rules led to a small town being overrun by destructive gremlins. Made on a budget of roughly $11 million, the film grossed about $212 million worldwide. The 1990 sequel, “Gremlins 2,” was less commercially successful, earning around $41 million, but has since gained cult status.
Jesse Ehrman, president of production and development at Warner Bros Pictures, noted that few film brands are as beloved and recognizable as “Gremlins.” The studio hopes the new film will appeal both to audiences who grew up with Gizmo and the gremlins and to an entirely new generation.
