Gremlins

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer
• Phoebe Cates as Kate Beringer
• Hoyt Axton as Randall “Rand” Peltzer
• Polly Holliday as Ruby Deagle
• Frances Lee McCain as Lynn Peltzer
• Judge Reinhold as Gerald Hopkins
• Dick Miller as Murray Futterman
• Glynn Turman as Roy Hanson
• Keye Luke as Mr. Wing
• Scott Brady as Sheriff Frank Reilly
• Corey Feldman as Pete Fountaine
• Jonathan Banks as Deputy Brent Frye
• Edward Andrews as Roland Corben
• Jackie Joseph as Sheila Futterman
• Belinda Balaski as Mrs. Harris
• Harry Carey Jr. as Mr. Anderson
• Nicky Katt and Tracy Wells as schoolchildren
• John Louie as Mr. Wing’s grandson
• Kenny Davis as Dorry
• Mushroom as Barney
• John C. Becher as Doctor Molinar

Storyline:

A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Watch On: Max, Max Amazon Channel

About Gremlins Movie:

Gremlins is an American comedy horror film directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus. The film stars Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, and Frances Lee McCain, with Howie Mandel providing the voice of Gizmo, the main mogwai character. The story draws inspiration from legends of mischievous creatures known as “gremlins,” which are said to cause malfunctions in machinery, particularly in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.

Plot Summary

The narrative follows young Billy Peltzer, who receives a unique pet called a mogwai from his father, Randall Peltzer (Axton), after a visit to a Chinatown antique store. The shopkeeper’s grandson secretly sells the mogwai to Randall but warns him of three crucial rules:

1. Do not expose it to bright light, especially sunlight, which can kill it.
2. Do not let it come into contact with water, as this will cause it to spawn more mogwai.
3. Never feed it after midnight, which leads to dire consequences.

Ignoring these warnings, Billy accidentally spills water on Gizmo, causing him to multiply and spawn five new mogwai who are more mischievous and aggressive. When Billy’s friend inadvertently feeds them after midnight, they transform into destructive gremlins that wreak havoc on the small town of Kingston Falls during Christmas Eve.

As the gremlins terrorize the town—causing chaos in homes and businesses—Billy teams up with his crush Kate (Cates) to stop them. They face various challenges as they try to contain the chaos unleashed by these creatures, leading to comedic yet terrifying situations.

Production Notes

Gremlins was produced by Michael Finnell and featured a significant merchandising campaign upon its release. The film was executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who played a role in shaping its tone and marketing. Filming took place in various locations, including California.

Reception

The film premiered on June 8, 1984, and was met with critical and commercial success. It grossed over $153 million worldwide against a budget of approximately $11 million. However, it faced criticism for its violent sequences, which prompted discussions about film ratings. In response to complaints about Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Spielberg suggested that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) create a new rating category, leading to the introduction of the PG-13 rating.

Legacy

Gremlins has since become a cult classic and is often regarded as one of the quintessential Christmas films due to its unique blend of horror and holiday themes. It was followed by a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, released in 1990. The film’s influence can be seen in various media and it remains a popular choice for holiday viewing. Its combination of dark humor, memorable characters, and innovative special effects has solidified its place in cinematic history.

Budget & Box Office Collection: