Gremlins 3 has begun development

The legendary horror comedy Gremlins will have a third installment, set to premiere on November 19, 2027. Gremlins 3 will be directed by Chris Columbus, with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer. The mischievous Mogwais have kept us waiting for more than thirty years, but fortunately, they will be back soon.

Gremlins 3 has been in a state of waiting for years, as since 1990 there has been talk of a sequel and various ideas have been considered, but so far none has managed to convince Warner Bros. to move the project forward. It is possible that the success of Beetlejuice 2 has motivated the studio to reactivate the saga.

Originated in 1984 as part of an idea that tried to combine dark humor, horror and comedy, the film showed how a small town faced the fear caused by tiny creatures called Mogwai, who transformed into deadly monsters after eating after midnight, reproduced on contact with water and were afraid of light.

The screenplay of the film will be written by Zach Lipovskyy and Adam B. Stein, who also directed Final Destination: Blood Ties. For many years, it has been a great challenge to find a suitable script for a new installment after the radical change that was seen in Gremlins 2 (1990). However, they finally managed to persuade Steven Spielberg to make Gremlins 3.

As far as the visual appearance is concerned, the developers have expressed their desire to preserve the classic character of the first two films by using dolls and animatronics instead of relying entirely on advanced technology. This choice aims to recapture the original appeal that made the initial films so memorable. So far, no details have been released about the plot, but the information has already aroused great excitement among fans of the saga and nostalgic film enthusiasts.

Influence on pop culture

The Gremlins franchise, particularly the original film released in 1984 and its sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch from 1990, has left a significant mark on pop culture, influencing various aspects of film, television, and broader media.

The original Gremlins was a groundbreaking film that blended horror and comedy, becoming a cultural touchstone. It introduced the concept of cute creatures turning into chaotic monsters, which resonated with audiences and became a staple in horror-comedy. The film's unique blend of humor and horror, along with its Christmas setting, made it a holiday classic. It also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the PG-13 rating, a response to its mix of family-friendly elements with darker themes, which influenced how future films approached similar content.

The film's catchphrase, Don't feed them after midnight, became a part of the vernacular, illustrating how deeply it penetrated popular culture.

Gremlins 2 took the franchise in a more self-aware direction, incorporating meta-humor and a satirical take on Hollywood and consumer culture. The film is noted for its chaotic and over-the-top style, which parodied not only its predecessor but also various aspects of contemporary pop culture, including corporate greed and media saturation. This approach paved the way for future films that embraced similar self-referential humor, influencing works like Wayne’s World and the Scream series.

The sequel's use of celebrity cameos and absurd scenarios, such as a Gremlin dressed as Rambo and a fourth-wall-breaking appearance by Hulk Hogan, exemplified its playful critique of the film industry. This chaotic blend of humor and horror, along with its numerous pop culture references, helped solidify Gremlins 2 as a cult classic that remains relevant and appreciated decades later.

Both films have maintained a lasting legacy, inspiring a range of merchandise, parodies, and references in various media. The Gremlins franchise has influenced not only horror-comedy but also the broader landscape of genre films that blend humor with horror elements. The characters and themes have been revisited in various forms, including animated series and discussions about potential sequels, indicating the franchise's enduring appeal.