Joe Dante's '80s Cult Classic 'Gremlins,' Written by Chris Columbus, Returns to HBO Max Top 10

One of the biggest cult classic films of the '80s has resurfaced on the streaming charts decades after its debut. The movie grossed over $212.9 million worldwide, and its success spawned a franchise featuring a sequel, animated spin-offs, and a third film on the way. As fans await the next installment, they're revisiting where it all began.

The film in question is Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante, who also worked on Hawaii Five-0 and DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and written by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, who later worked on the Harry Potter films. The movie follows Billy (Zach Galligan), who receives a cute, furry creature called a Mogwai for Christmas and names it Gizmo from a man named Sam Wing (Keye Luke). However, Billy must follow three important rules when caring for his new pet. When these rules are broken, chaos ensues as reptilian creatures known as Gremlins emerge and wreak havoc.

Recently, Gremlins landed on HBO Max's worldwide Top 10 movie chart, reaching No. 3, between Evil Dead Burn and Secret Window. The film has enjoyed lasting success since its 1984 release. In addition to its box office performance, it received widespread critical praise and currently holds an 86% critics score and a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its success also led to a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which received mixed reactions from audiences. The franchise later expanded with an animated prequel series, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, set years before the original film. It follows Gizmo's original owner, a 10-year-old Sam Wing (Izaac Wang), as he embarks on adventures with the creature and his friends.

What Do We Know About the Next 'Gremlins' Movie?

Since the release of Gremlins 2: The New Batch in 1990, there have been discussions about a third movie, including whether it would continue the franchise or reboot it. However, it wasn't until 2025 that a third Gremlins film was officially announced, with Columbus attached to write and direct. While plot details remain unrevealed, Columbus has said the Gremlins in the upcoming feature will not be created with CGI. The project has also undergone a release date change since its announcement. Originally scheduled for 2027, the third installment is now slated to arrive in theaters on October 6, 2028. As of now, no cast members have been officially announced, and the only names attached are Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, listed as screenwriters.