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Zach Galligan, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Phoebe Cates, Polly Holliday ... see more see more... , Scott Brady , Glynn E. Turman , Corey Feldman , Keye Luke , Judge Reinhold , Jonathan Banks , Edward Andrews , Susan Arnold , Belinda Balaski , John C. Becher , Joe Brooks , Harry Carey Jr. , Mark Dodson , Donald Elson , Lois Foraker , Bob Holt , Jackie Joseph , Nicky Katt , John Louie , James MacKrell , Howie Mandel , Dick Miller , Love Mushroom Psychedelic Visual Arts , Michael Sheehan , Don Steele , Michael Winslow , Chuck Jones , Steven Spielberg , Frank Welker , Peter Cullen , Kenny Davis , Fred Newman , Arnie Moore , Jim McKrell

"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever, ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins, with devastating results. This comic Joe ... read more read more...Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell-esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor (Hoyt Axton) purchases a cute, fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's (Keye Luke) grandson (John Louie), who dispenses the above-mentioned warning before closing the deal. Meanwhile, young bank clerk Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) must suffer such antagonists as rich-bitch Mrs. Deagle (Polly Holliday) and priggish Gerald (Judge Reinhold) while pursuing his romance with Kate (Phoebe Cates). These and a variety of other plot strands are tied together when the lovable mogwai (named Gizmo) is exposed to bright light and gotten wet. In short order, the town is invaded by nasty, predatory Gremlins, who lay waste to everything in sight as Billy and Kate try to contain the destruction. Like most of Joe Dante's works, Gremlins is chock-full of significant cameo appearances: in this instance, such pop-culture icons as Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Chuck Jones, Scott Brady, Harry Carey Jr., Steven Spielberg (the film's executive producer) and even Robby the Robot all show up briefly on screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

70% liked it

418,685 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

44 critics

PG, 2 hr.

Directed by: Joe Dante

Release Date: June 1, 1984

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DVD Release Date: June 22, 1999

Stats: 19,999 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (19,999)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 15, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Gremlins is another film by master director Joe Dante. The film blends Comedy and Horror very well and is a very creative film. What I love most about this film is it's originality, it had me laughing screaming, laughing and really I just had a great time watching this film. If y... read moreou're looking for a great Horror Comedy, then Gremlins is it. It's a very original film and if you like silly films like Killer Klowns From Outer Space, you will love Gremlins. Gremlins is one great film, and is one of Joe Dante's best along with his more serious horror film, The Howling. So, if you like great, Horror comedy then pick Gremlins up, you will a great time as these furry creature don't play nice. With a lot of Tongue in cheek moments, and an interesting story, Gremlins is a memorable horror comedy that is entertaining from start to finish. Produced by Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante and Steven Spielberg create something fun. If you enjoy silly tongue in cheek horror, Gremlins is the film to watch. Joe Dante is a great director and with Gremlins, he solidifies that statement. This is a fun film from start to finish and is one of the best horror comedies of the 1980's. If you love horror comedies, and haven't seen this classic, then head on to your video store and rent it. This a great film from start to finish, a film that remains one of the best horror comedies ever released. Get ready for a memorable crazy ride because Gremlins delivers.
  • aquateen2
    March 7, 2012
    aquateen2
    Gremlins is a fun classic that will make you laugh out loud. Gremlins made a new image for the monster movie, although out-dated effects by modern standards, its still a really fun watch and will always be worth your time.
  • spielberg00
    September 19, 2011
    spielberg00
    GREMLINS is a hilarious movie. Even though Steven Spielberg serves as only the executive producer, it is some of his best work. This is also the best horror-comedy work of Steven Spielberg's, seconded by the 1990 film ARACHNOPHOBIA. Sometimes, I just sit and remember the last ... read morefew scenes in this film and think, "Thank goodness there's no way this can be real." Everything from the opening "invention" scene at the Chinese shop, to the scene at the YMCA, to the scene at the movie theater, is pure brilliance. This film is truly amazing, and I quite humbly pity you if you prefer to think otherwise.
  • kenstachnik
    July 16, 2011
    kenstachnik
    A boat load of fun and way more intense then I imagine. One two films responsible for the creation of the PG-13 rating (the other is Temple of Doom).
  • garyX
    June 3, 2011
    garyX
    A young boy receives a cuddly little creature for Christmas but it inadvertently spawns a horde of vicious creatures hell bent on chaos. Gremlins is what would happen if the muppets went over to the dark side. A comic horror from Joe Dante, it was a bit of a cult in the 80s and w... read moreent on to spawn a host of inferior imitators. The idea is pretty simple, that the "gremlins" of myth were in fact real, but it has plenty of scope for slapstick carnage and it comes up with some memorable scenes when they are initially loosed upon the sleepy little town. The funniest scenes are when mom gets medieval on their asses with a variety of kitchen appliances (before getting attacked by a Christmas tree in an homage to John Waters) and the turbo charged stairlift. Its biggest flaw is that it's pretty much a one idea story, but it has some inventive animatronics and enough chuckles to make it worth the time. A bit too silly for horror and not funny enough to be considered comedy, but it does have its moments.
  • ajv2688
    January 18, 2011
    ajv2688
    I love Gremlins, it's one of my favourite movies ever, and an 80s classic! It's a cute, funny, and exciting monster movie, unlike anything you've ever seen. I highly recommend it.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 15, 2011
    sanjurosamurai
    a horror film for kids? although a true horror classic this film is more fun than it is frightening, but its one of the best films of my childhood and still great to watch as a grown up.
  • thmtsang
    December 26, 2010
    thmtsang
    Gremlins multiply and wreck havoc on a small town. Scared me as a kid. Poor Gizmo.
  • coollala0910
    December 9, 2010
    coollala0910
    Christmas Movie Review Mania
    Episode #7: Gremlins

    Yes, this is a Christmas movie. In "Gremlins", a boy is given a creature named a Mogwai (commonly referred as Gremlins) for Christmas. However, there are three rules one must follow in order to take good care of this creature.... read more

    1. Never keep it in the light. They'll scorch to death.
    2. Never give it water. It will reproduce.
    3. Never, under any circumstances, feed it after midnight.

    However these rules are broken and gremlins are unleashed everywhere. Really, its a disaster.

    Gremlins is a highly original film. It contains lot of twists, turns, humor, and beautiful amounts of blood and gore. Yes, you heard me! BLOOD AND GORE!!! I freakin' want to snuggle up with Gizmo!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

    Gremlins is a great Christmas-themed horror comedy. You can watch it during Christmas, Halloween, Administrative Professionals Day, who cares?! Its a great film at anytime of year!

    "Now I have another reason to hate Christmas."

    Behold! The most epic scene:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIrd4172Czw
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    December 5, 2010
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz or your washing machine blows up or your video recorder conks out; before you call the repairman turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell there just might be a ... read moregremlin in your house."

    A boy inadvertantly breaks 3 important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

    REVIEW

    From the opening sequence to the end credits, Gremlins has a certain charm to it. Perhaps it was the directing style of Joe Dante, or the screenplay by Chris Columbus. Whichever, it is a fun, entertaining and imaginative film. Gizmo (voiced by a young Howie Mandel) is a true creature effect, as are the Gremlins. This is one film that would have lost its charm if it were made today. The fact that we barely ever see Gizmo's feet when he runs, or the Gremlins lower bodies is wonderful. It is part of the charm that this film carries. I wouldn't want to see Gizmo looking like Yoda from the newest Star Wars films, cheap and unrealistic. It's great to have little creature creations, with real, fake fur (I know that sounds dumb but think about it). The cast is not extra ordinary, which makes it also feel so fun to watch, but nevertheless, the cast is still great, though the character of Billy wasn't the best they could have chosen, but like I said, that's part of the fun of it all. Gremlins has to be one of the most chaotic, entertaining, mesmerizing, adventurous, revolutionary, charming, fun-filled films of the past twenty years.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
November 27, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

The humans are little more than dress-extras for the mechanics. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
November 27, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

What's confusing yet ultimately illuminating is the way his gremlins function as a free-floating metaphor, suggesting at separate junctures everything from teenagers to blacks to various Freudian supp... Full Review

Dave Kehr
November 27, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Dante is perhaps the first filmmaker since Frank Tashlin to base his style on the formal free-for-all of animated cartoons; he is also utterly heartless. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

At the level of Serious Film Criticism, it's a meditation on the myths in our movies: Christmas, families, monsters, retail stores, movies, boogeymen. At the level of Pop Moviegoing, it's a sophistica... Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Gremlins is far more interested in showing off its knowledge of movie lore and making random jokes than in providing consistent entertainment. Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
May 22, 2012
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

Gremlins hosts the perfect blend of Capraesque Christmas spirit, humorously tainted by stinging horror and hilarious offbeat comedy. Full Review

Matt Brunson
May 8, 2012
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

It certainly displays a nasty streak, although that's not one of its problems. Full Review

Randy White
January 2, 2011
Randy White, Common Sense Media

A comic horror movie classic. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
September 24, 2010
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A wholesome Christmas family flick that veers over to the dark side. Full Review

John J. Puccio
December 8, 2009
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

There's a mischievous playfulness about Gremlins, and that's its most endearing quality, but I found it grating on me early on and soon turning to mean-spiritedness. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Gizmo: Ahh! Light bright! Light bright! Light bright!
    • Rand Peltzer: So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz, or your washing machine blows up, or your video recorder conks out, before you call the repairman, turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell. There just might be a gremlin in your house.
    • Rand Peltzer: Rand Peltzer. Fantastic Ideas for a Fantastic World. I make the illogical logical.
    • Gizmo: Light bright. Light bright.
    • Kate: Say you hate Washington's Birthday or Thanksgiving and nobody cares, but say you hate Christmas and everybody makes you feel like you're a leper.
    • Gizmo: uh oh
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Gremlins Trivia

  • Which of the following rules is applicable when dealing with Gremlins?  Answer »
  • What was the name of the cuddly Mogwai in Gremlins?  Answer »
  • In Gremlins, what's the significance of the movie titles 'A Boys Life' and 'Watch the Skies' (seen on the cinema board)?  Answer »
  • ***What Movie is this Tagline from? "Don't get him wet, keep him out of bright light, and never feed him after midnight***  Answer »
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