
After more than three decades, the mischievous little monsters are returning to the big screen. Warner Bros. has officially announced Gremlins 3, set to hit theaters on November 19, 2027, a full 43 years after the original film terrified and delighted audiences in equal measure.
The sequel will bring back familiar creative forces: Chris Columbus, who wrote the 1984 classic, returns as director and co-writer, joined by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Kim Possible, Freaks). Steven Spielberg, whose Amblin Entertainment produced the first two films, will serve again as executive producer. Details about the cast and story remain tightly under wraps, though early reports suggest the project will stick to practical creature effects rather than relying heavily on CGI, by honoring the handmade chaos that made the originals so beloved.
The Gremlins franchise last appeared in live-action form with 1990's Gremlins 2: The New Batch, a cult favorite that leaned into satire and absurd comedy. In recent years, the property quietly resurfaced in the animated Max prequel Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, which explored the origins of the furry Mogwai Gizmo. The show's success seems to have reignited studio confidence in revisiting the live-action films.
For longtime fans, the announcement feels like a nostalgic revival, but it also fits into a broader Hollywood pattern. From Ghostbusters to Beetlejuice to The Karate Kid, studios are increasingly mining 1980s icons for modern audiences. The challenge for Gremlins 3 will be balancing nostalgia with originality, capturing the mischievous tone of the first film while offering something new for viewers who weren't born when Gizmo first sang his little lullaby.
Columbus has hinted that the new film could take a darker tone, returning to the creepy-cute balance that made the first movie such a holiday classic. Whether that means more practical puppetry, Christmas lights, and chaos remains to be seen, but one thing's certain: the rules still apply. Don't feed them after midnight. Don't get them wet. And whatever you do, don't underestimate a franchise that refuses to die quietly.