Corey Feldman
Zach Galligan
8
The Umbrella Academy (2019)
2019
Movie
Gremlins
Overview
Gremlins Storyline
Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins is a horror-comedy that has become one of the most beloved cult classics of the 80s. The story follows Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan), a young man who receives an unusual pet — a furry little creature called a Mogwai — from his father as a Christmas gift.
- The Mogwai, named Gizmo, comes with three strict rules:
- Don’t expose it to bright light.
- Don’t get it wet.
- Never, ever feed it after midnight.
Of course, all three rules are broken — unleashing chaos as Gizmo spawns mischievous, destructive gremlins that wreak havoc on the small town of Kingston Falls. Combining slapstick humour, practical effects, and just enough horror to keep older kids on edge, Gremlins became an instant holiday favourite.
Gremlins Details Director, release, studio & more
- Director
- Joe Dante
- Release
- 07/12/1984
- Runtime
- 1 hr 46 min
- Universe
- Dark Horse Comics
- Last Updated
- 12 May 2026
Where to WatchPartners JustWatch
CMDB Review
8/10
Our editorial score
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CMDB Review
Gremlins Review 8/10
We have rated this 8 out of 10. We’re giving Gremlins a solid 8/10 — it’s one of those rare movies that manages to be fun, creepy, and family-friendly all at once.
We loved it growing up — it was always on at Christmas, and it still holds up decades later. The blend of action-packed comedy and clever horror makes it a unique watch that appeals to both kids (at the time) and adults. Gizmo is adorable, Stripe is the perfect villain, and the practical effects give it an authenticity that CGI can’t match.
The tone is a clever balancing act — sweet moments between Billy and Gizmo are offset by laugh-out-loud chaos from the gremlins’ antics. But make no mistake — some scenes are dark enough to have earned the film its legendary status as one of the reasons the PG-13 rating was created.
It’s a christmas tradition for many, and for us, it’s a movie that defined a generation of quirky 80s creature features.
Did You Know?
- The film was one of the main reasons the PG-13 rating was introduced in the U.S., alongside Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
- Howie Mandel provided the voice for Gizmo.
- The snow in Kingston Falls was actually painted popcorn.
- Gizmo was originally going to turn into Stripe, but Spielberg insisted Gizmo should stay good throughout the film.
- The set for Kingston Falls is the same one used for Back to the Future’s Hill Valley.
- Many of the gremlins were animatronic puppets, with some costing up to $40,000 each.
- Phoebe Cates’ famous monologue about her father dying in the chimney was nearly cut for being too dark, but Joe Dante fought to keep it in.
- The original script was much darker, with the gremlins killing more people and even eating Billy’s dog.
- Spielberg makes a cameo — you can spot him riding a recumbent bike in the inventor’s convention scene.
- Despite its Christmas setting, the movie was released in June 1984 to take advantage of the summer box office.
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