Chris Columbus Confirms Gremlins Reboot Is in the Works

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The Gremlins movie in development has been confirmed as a reboot.

In Hollywood, there’s no restriction stopping them from revisiting old ideas repeatedly. At present, a strong nostalgia for the 80s, including 80s memorabilia, is as in demand as a highly sought-after Cabbage Patch Kid during Christmas. Some rules are meant to be defied, while others require careful adherence. For instance, protect it from sunlight, avoid getting it wet, and do not feed it at night.

The operative “it” being a gremlin.

In a recent conversation with Movieweb, the original writer of Gremlins, Chris Columbus, has shared that he’s been developing a script for a new version of the movie titled Gremlins. He expressed his thoughts about this project, saying, “If there seems to be a good reason to remake it, let’s go ahead and do it.

1984: The Year That Launched a Thousand Franchises

1984 was an extraordinary year for cinematic delights, with a plethora of blockbusters that left moviegoers spellbound. Among these, I found myself particularly captivated by a little gem called “Gremlins,” penned by Chris Columbus and directed by Joe Dante. The film was no less than a powerhouse behind the scenes, with Steven Spielberg serving as its executive producer.

In that very same year, other masterpieces like “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Terminator,” and “The Karate Kid” graced the silver screen within mere months of each other. But here’s an interesting trivia: “Gremlins” and “Ghostbusters” premiered on the same day in US theaters! Despite fierce competition from blockbusters like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Gremlins” managed to secure the fourth spot among the highest-grossing films of that year.

In 1990, “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” was released, with Joe Dante taking up directing duties again. Contrary to the original, Chris Columbus didn’t write this sequel, which took a humorous, satirical approach and wasn’t as well-received. In 2013, there was renewed buzz about remaking Gremlins, with Vulture reporting that this wasn’t the first time Amblin Entertainment had been approached with such an idea by Steven Spielberg.

2017 saw renewed whispers surrounding the potential production of Gremlins 3 as director Joe Dante shared he had drafted a full script for a grittier, practically-effects follow-up that honors the original’s essence. Rather than a reboot, his intention then was to create a sequel that would address fan queries directly.

And then, nothing.

Gremlins in the Trades

At the start of this year, Deadline subtly hinted that Warner Brothers had drafted a plan for another Goonies film and a script for a Gremlins film penned by Columbus. While a third Gremlins movie was confirmed, the specifics about its direction, whether it’s a direct sequel or a reboot, were yet to be determined.

It was thought by Games Radar at that point that the new movie would serve as a genuine third installment, rather than a remake. On the other hand, MovieWeb expressed some uncertainty, suggesting that both Gremlins and The Goonies might be sequels or reboots, but anticipating that the final product would likely incorporate elements of both, much like many modern films. Both possibilities appeared plausible.

Now that the project is inching closer to production, we seem to have our answer.

Legacy Sequels vs. Reboots vs. Gremlins

With the exception of Gremlins, virtually all blockbuster films from 1984 have been remade or reimagined in some way up to this point. However, the results of these revivals, be it remakes, sequels, spiritual successors, or other spin-offs, have been a mixed bag, as reported by Games Radar. Yet, Zach Galligan, the original star of Gremlins, suggests that the successful return of Beetlejuice last year may have played a role in the recent greenlighting of Gremlins.

The outcome of this second visit to the intellectual property (IP) source could either lead to renewal or complications. However, with Columbus returning to manage any potential issues, which seems like a reboot, might instill optimism among the fans.

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2025-09-05 01:56