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Gremlins

Gremlins is a 1984 American comedy horror film directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gremlins is a 1984 American comedy horror film directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus. It follows a young man whose pet mogwai multiplies after its care rules are broken, unleashing destructive creatures on his town during Christmas Eve.

Plot

The film follows Billy Peltzer after he receives Gizmo, a mogwai, as a pet. When the creature is exposed to water and other rules are broken, it spawns hostile gremlins that cause chaos in the town.

Production and release

Gremlins was directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus. It was released in 1984 by Warner Bros. and Amblin Entertainment.

Franchise

The 1984 film launched the Gremlins franchise. It was followed by Gremlins 2: The New Batch in 1990, and the franchise later included video games, merchandise, and an animated prequel series.

Cultural background

The film draws on earlier folklore and wartime usage of the word "gremlin," which referred to mischievous creatures blamed for mechanical problems, especially in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.

Key facts

  • Gremlins was released in 1984 and became the first film in the Gremlins franchise.
  • The story centres on Billy Peltzer and his pet mogwai, Gizmo, whose care rules are broken.
  • The film’s titular creatures are inspired by folkloric "gremlins" associated with machinery malfunctions.
  • It was directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus.
  • The franchise later expanded to sequels and other media, including an animated prequel series.
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Canadian context

Gremlins is widely known in Canada as a major Hollywood holiday film and part of a long-running American franchise.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gremlins about?
It is about a young man whose pet mogwai multiplies into dangerous creatures after the pet-care rules are broken.
Who directed Gremlins?
Joe Dante directed Gremlins.
Who wrote Gremlins?
Chris Columbus wrote the screenplay for Gremlins.
What year was Gremlins released?
Gremlins was released in 1984.
What inspired the creatures in Gremlins?
The film draws on folklore about mischievous gremlins said to cause malfunctions, especially in aircraft.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gremlins
    Supports: 1984 release, director, writer, cast, plot summary, and the film's folkloric inspiration.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6191390/
    Supports: A different film titled Gremlin (2017), useful for disambiguation from Gremlins.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gremlins_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise overview, sequel, and later adaptations including an animated prequel series.
  4. Amblin — https://amblin.com/movie/gremlins/
    Supports: Studio synopsis of the film's premise and Christmas setting.