New ‘Gremlins’ Movie in Development with Christopher Columbus Amid Major Changes at WB

‘Gremlins’ is one of the most iconic comedy-horror movies of all time. Directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus, the movie combined dark humor with a holiday setting.

It was a big hit when it was released in 1984, despite criticism for its violent scenes. This led to the creation of the PG-13 movie rating. The success of ‘Gremlins’ also inspired a sequel, ‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch,’ released in 1990.

Now the franchise is set to expand once again as Deadline reports that ‘Gremlins’ movie is in development. The project appears to be part of Warner Bros.’ push to revive beloved franchises, similar to their strategies with ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ‘The Matrix,’ and ‘The Goonies.’

Details about the new ‘Gremlins’ film—whether it’s a sequel, reboot, or prequel—remain sparse. However, its inclusion signals Warner Bros.’ intent to capitalize on nostalgia-driven franchises alongside their auteur-led slate.

Christopher Columbus’s involvement suggests a return to the original’s tone and style, potentially aimed at revitalizing the franchise for both long-time fans and new audiences.

In 2016, Galligan shared that Warner Bros., Chris Columbus, and Steven Spielberg were all interested in making Gremlins 3, and Carl Ellsworth was writing the script. In a 2017 interview, Columbus revealed that he had written a dark, twisted script that explored whether Gizmo should be eliminated. By November 2020, Columbus stated that traditional puppets and animatronics, not CGI, would be used for the gremlins. It’s unclear whether this is still the plan.

In 2019, Warner Bros. secured the trademark for the ‘Gremlins’ name and franchise. That same year, its parent company, WarnerMedia, approved an animated prequel series for its streaming platform, Max. The first season, called ‘Secrets of the Mogwai,’ launched on May 23, 2023. The show was renewed for a second season, titled ‘The Wild Batch,’ which was released on October 3, 2024.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!