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Gremlins are dumb. |
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{{Infobox film |
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| name = Gremlins |
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| image = Gremlins1.jpg |
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| alt = |
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| caption = Theatrical release poster by [[John Alvin]] |
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| director = [[Joe Dante]] |
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| producer = [[Michael Finnell]] |
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| writer = [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]] |
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| starring = {{Plainlist| |
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* [[Zach Galligan]] |
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* [[Phoebe Cates]] |
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* [[Hoyt Axton]] |
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* [[Polly Holliday]] |
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* [[Frances Lee McCain]] |
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}} |
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| music = [[Jerry Goldsmith]] |
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| cinematography = [[John Hora]] |
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| editing = [[Tina Hirsch]] |
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| studio = {{plainlist| |
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* [[Warner Bros.]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/68263|title= Gremlins (1984) |work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|accessdate=August 12, 2018}}</ref> |
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* [[Amblin Entertainment]]<ref name=afi/> |
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}} |
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| distributor = Warner Bros.<ref name=afi/> |
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| released = {{Film date|1984|6|8}} |
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| runtime = 106 minutes |
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| country = United States |
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| language = English |
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| budget = $11 million |
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| gross = $153.1 million |
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}} |
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'''''Gremlins''''' is a 1984 American [[comedy horror]] film directed by [[Joe Dante]] and released by [[Warner Bros.]] The film is about a young man who receives a strange creature called a [[Mogwai (Chinese culture)|mogwai]] as a pet, which then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive, evil monsters. This story was continued with a sequel, ''[[Gremlins 2: The New Batch]]'', released in 1990. Unlike the lighter sequel, ''Gremlins'' opts for more [[black comedy]], balanced against a [[Christmas film|Christmastime setting]]. Both films were the center of large [[merchandising]] campaigns. |
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[[Steven Spielberg]] was the film's [[executive producer]], with the film being produced by [[Michael Finnell]] and written by [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]], drawing on legends of [[gremlin]]s going back to [[World War II]]. The film stars [[Zach Galligan]] and [[Phoebe Cates]], with [[Howie Mandel]] providing the voice of Gizmo, the main mogwai character. |
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''Gremlins'' was a [[blockbuster (entertainment)|commercial success]] and received positive reviews from critics. However, the film was also heavily criticized for some of its more violent sequences. In response to this and to similar complaints about ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]'', Spielberg suggested that the [[Motion Picture Association of America]] (MPAA) alter its [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system|rating system]], which it did within two months of the film's release. |
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==Plot== |
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Randall Peltzer, a struggling [[inventor]], visits a [[Chinatown]] antique store in the hope of finding a [[Christmas]] present for his son Billy. In the store, Randall encounters a small, furry creature called a mogwai ([[Cantonese]]: [[wiktionary:魔怪|魔怪]], "devil"). The owner, Mr. Wing, refuses to sell the creature to Randall. However, his grandson secretly sells the mogwai to Randall, warning him to remember three important rules that must never be broken – do not expose the mogwai to bright lights or sunlight which will kill it, do not let it get wet, and never feed it after midnight (all Mogwais are set to a strict EST timzone restriction). |
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Randall returns home to Kingston Falls where he gives the mogwai to Billy as a pet. Billy works in the local bank, where he fears his dog Barney will be captured and killed by the elderly Mrs. Deagle. Randall names the mogwai “Gizmo” and Billy makes sure to treat him well. When Billy’s friend Pete spills a glass of water over Gizmo, five more mogwai spawn from his back, a more troublemaking sort led by the aggressive Stripe. Billy shows one of the mogwai to his former science teacher Mr. Hanson, spawning another mogwai, on whom Hanson experiments. Back at home, Stripe’s gang tricks Billy into feeding them after midnight by chewing out the power cord to his bedside clock. They make cocoons, as does Hanson’s mogwai. Shortly after, the cocoons hatch and they emerge as mischievous, reptilian monsters that torture Gizmo and try to murder Billy’s mother, while Hanson is killed by his gremlin. |
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All of the Gremlins are killed except Stripe, who escapes to a local [[YMCA]] and jumps into a [[swimming pool]], spawning an army of gremlins who wreak chaos around Kingston Falls. Billy tries to warn the police, but they don’t believe him. Many people are injured or outright killed by the gremlins' rampage, including Mrs. Deagle, who is launched out of her house on a [[stair lift]] that has been sabotaged by the creatures. At the local bar, the gremlins have fun until the barmaid Kate Beringer, Billy’s girlfriend, flashes them with a camera and escapes into the bank with Billy and Gizmo. While hiding, she reveals her father died in a chimney while dressed as [[Santa Claus]]. Billy and Kate discover the town has fallen silent and the Gremlins are watching ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' in the local theater. They set off an explosion, killing all the Gremlins except Stripe. |
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Billy chases Stripe into a [[Montgomery Ward]] store, where Stripe climbs into a water fountain and tries to spawn more gremlins. Gizmo arrives in a toy car and opens a [[skylight]], exposing Stripe to sunlight and melting him. In the aftermath of the rampage, Mr. Wing arrives to collect Gizmo, scolding the Peltzers for their carelessness, thinking the Western world is not ready but comments that Billy might some day be ready to care for Gizmo properly. Gizmo likewise believes so, having become attached to Billy. Mr. Wing departs with Gizmo in tow. |
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==Cast== |
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{{div col}} |
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* [[Zach Galligan]] as Billy Peltzer |
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* [[Phoebe Cates]] as Kate Beringer |
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* [[Hoyt Axton]] as Randall "Rand" Peltzer |
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* [[Frances Lee McCain]] as Lynn Peltzer |
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* [[Corey Feldman]] as Pete Fountaine |
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* [[Keye Luke]] as Mr. Wing (credited as "Grandfather", Mr. Wing's name is revealed in the [[Gremlins 2: The New Batch|2nd film]]) |
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* John Louie as Mr. Wing's grandson |
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* [[Dick Miller]] as Murray Futterman |
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* [[Jackie Joseph]] as Sheila Futterman |
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* [[Polly Holliday]] as Mrs. Ruby Deagle |
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* [[Judge Reinhold]] as Gerald Hopkins |
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* [[Edward Andrews]] as Mr. Roland Corben |
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* [[Glynn Turman]] as Mr. Roy Hanson |
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* [[Belinda Balaski]] as Mrs. Joe Harris |
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* [[Scott Brady]] as Sheriff Frank Reilly |
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* [[Jonathan Banks]] as Deputy Brent Frye |
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* [[Harry Carey, Jr.]] as Mr. Anderson |
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* Kenny Davis as Dorry |
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* [[Nicky Katt]] and [[Tracy Wells]] as Schoolchildren |
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* Mushroom as Barney |
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{{div col end}} |
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{{div col}} |
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===Voices=== |
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* [[Frank Welker]] as Stripe |
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* [[Howie Mandel]] as Gizmo |
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* [[Don Steele]] as Rockin' Ricky Rialto |
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* [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]] as Robby the Robot (''uncredited'') |
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Mogwai and Gremlin vocal effects provided by [[Michael Winslow]], [[Bob Bergen]], [[Fred Newman (actor)|Fred Newman]], [[Peter Cullen]], [[Mark Dodson]], [[Bob Holt (actor)|Bob Holt]], and Michael Sheehan. |
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===Cameos=== |
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* [[Steven Spielberg]] as Man riding [[Recumbent bicycle]] |
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* [[Jim McKrell]] as TV News Reporter |
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* [[Jerry Goldsmith]] as Man in Phone Booth |
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* [[William Schallert]] as Father Bartlett |
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* [[Chuck Jones]] as Mr. Jones, Billy's drawing mentor |
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* [[Kenneth Tobey]] as Smoking Gas Station Attendant |
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{{div col end}} |
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==Production== |
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===Background=== |
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''Gremlins'' was produced at a time when combining horror and comedy was becoming increasingly popular. According to Professor [[Noël Carroll]], ''[[Ghostbusters]]'', released the same weekend as ''Gremlins'', and the comic strip ''[[The Far Side]]'' also followed this trend. Carroll argued that there was now a new genre emphasizing sudden shifts between humorous and horrific scenes, drawing laughs with plot elements that have been traditionally used to scare.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Carroll |first=Noël |date=Spring 1999 |title=Horror and Humor |journal=The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism: Aesthetics and Popular Culture |volume=57 |number=2 |p=145}}</ref> |
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The notion of gremlins was first conceived during [[World War II]] when mechanical failures in aircraft were jokingly blamed on the small monsters. The term "gremlins" also entered popular culture as children's author [[Roald Dahl]] published a book called ''[[The Gremlins]]'' in 1943, based on the mischievous creatures.{{sfn|Bilstein|2001|p=318}} [[Walt Disney]] considered making a film of it. A [[Bugs Bunny]] cartoon of the era, ''[[Falling Hare]]'', has him battling a gremlin on an airplane. Joe Dante had read ''The Gremlins'' and said that the book was of some influence on his film. In 1983, Dante publicly distanced his work from earlier films, explaining, "Our gremlins are somewhat different—they're sort of green and they have big mouths and they smile a lot and they do incredibly, really nasty things to people and enjoy it all the while".<ref name="Featurette">{{cite AV media |people=[[Joe Dante|Dante, Joe]], [[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg, Steven]] |date=2002 |title=Gremlins: Behind the Scenes |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video}}</ref><ref name="DVD">{{cite AV media |people=[[Joe Dante|Dante, Joe]] |date=2002 |title=Steven Spielberg presents ''Gremlins'' Special edition audio commentary |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video}}</ref> |
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===Development=== |
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[[File:Chris_Columbus.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]] conceived of the idea for ''Gremlins'' and wrote the initial draft as a [[spec script]].]] |
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The story of ''Gremlins'' was conceived by [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]]. As Columbus explained, his inspiration came from his loft, when at night "what sounded like a platoon of mice would come out and to hear them skittering around in the blackness was really creepy".<ref name="Behind Scenes">{{cite AV media |people=[[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Columbus, Chris]] |date=2002 |title=Steven Spielberg presents ''Gremlins'': Behind the Scenes |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video}}</ref> He then wrote the original screenplay as a [[spec script]] to show potential employers that he had writing abilities. The story was not actually intended to be filmed until Steven Spielberg took an interest in turning it into a film.<ref name="DVD" /> As Spielberg explained, "It's one of the most original things I've come across in many years, which is why I bought it."<ref name="Featurette" /> |
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After deciding to executive produce the film, Spielberg chose Dante as his director because of his experience with horror-comedy; Dante had previously directed ''[[The Howling (film)|The Howling]]'' (1981); however, in the time between ''The Howling'' and the offer to film ''Gremlins'', he had experienced a lull in his career.<ref name="DVD" /> The film's producer was [[Michael Finnell]], who had also worked on ''The Howling'' with Dante. Spielberg took the project to Warner Bros. and co-produced it through his own company, [[Amblin Entertainment]]. |
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The film's script went through a few drafts before a shooting script was finalized. The first version was much darker than the final film. Various scenes were cut, including one which portrayed Billy's mother dying in her struggle with the gremlins, with her head thrown down the stairs when Billy arrives. Dante later explained the scene made the film darker than the filmmakers wanted. There was also a scene where the gremlins ate Billy's dog and a scene where the gremlins attacked a [[McDonald's]], eating customers instead of burgers. Also, instead of Stripe being a mogwai who becomes a gremlin, there was originally no mogwai named Stripe; rather, Gizmo was supposed to transform into Stripe the gremlin. Spielberg overruled this plot element as he felt Gizmo was cute and that audiences would want him to be present throughout the film.<ref name="DVD" /> |
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A famous urban legend is referenced in the film,<ref>{{cite web |title=Santa Claustrophobia | url=http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/stuck.asp | work=[[Urban Legends Reference Pages]] | date=October 23, 1999}}</ref> in which Kate reveals in a speech that her father died at Christmas when he dressed as [[Santa Claus]] and broke his neck while climbing down the family's chimney. After the film was completed, the speech proved to be controversial, and studio executives insisted upon its removal, because they felt it was too ambiguous as to whether it was supposed to be funny or sad. Dante stubbornly refused to take the scene out, saying it represented the film as a whole, which had a combination of horrific and comedic elements. Spielberg did not like the scene but, despite his creative control, he viewed ''Gremlins'' as Dante's project and allowed him to leave it in.<ref name="DVD" /> A parody of this scene is featured in ''[[Gremlins 2: The New Batch]]''. |
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===Casting=== |
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[[File:Zach_Galligan_at_the_Chiller_Theatre_Expo_in_NJ,_October_26,_2013.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Zach Galligan]] was a relatively unknown actor when cast as the lead character Billy.]] |
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[[Phoebe Cates]] was cast as Kate, Billy's girlfriend, despite concerns that she was known for playing more risqué parts, such as Linda Barrett in ''[[Fast Times at Ridgemont High]]'' (1982). Spielberg urged the casting of the relatively unknown [[Zach Galligan]] as Billy because he saw chemistry between Galligan and Cates during auditions. Galligan later compared himself to Billy, saying he was a "geeky kid", and that being in the film "was really kind of a dream" given "what I get to do, what my character gets to do, blow up movie theatres", adding that he "got to work with great people".<ref name="Galligan">{{cite AV media |people=[[Zach Galligan|Galligan, Zach]], [[Joe Dante|Dante, Joe]] |date=2002 |title=Steven Spielberg presents ''Gremlins'' Special edition audio commentary |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video}}</ref> Spielberg commented when Galligan was testing with Cates that "he's in love with her already" and that was how Galligan won the part.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Watkins|first1=Jack|title=How we made Gremlins|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/04/how-we-made-gremlins-steven-spielberg-joe-dante-zach-galligan|accessdate=4 December 2017|work=The Guardian|date=4 December 2017}}</ref> |
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In contrast to Galligan, many of the supporting actors and actresses were better known. Veteran actor [[Glynn Turman]] portrayed the high school science teacher whose study of a newborn Mogwai leads to his death after it forms a cocoon and emerges as a vicious gremlin. [[Dick Miller]], who was a regular in Dante's films, was another experienced actor on the set, playing a [[World War II]] veteran who first refers to the creatures as gremlins. Rand was played by [[Hoyt Axton]], who was always the filmmakers' preferred choice for the role even though it was widely contested by other actors.<ref name="DVD" /> Axton's experience included acting as the father in ''[[The Black Stallion (film)|The Black Stallion]]'' (1979), and he was also a country music singer-songwriter. After an introductory scene to ''Gremlins'' was cut, Axton's voice earned him the added role of the narrator to establish some context. Mr. Wing was played by [[Keye Luke]], a renowned film actor, whose film career spanned half a century. Although in reality he was around 80 at the time of filming, and his character was very elderly, Luke's youthful appearance had to be covered by make-up.<ref name="DVD" /> |
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[[Corey Feldman]], who up to that time had primarily been in commercials, played Pete Fountaine, establishing his early credentials as a child actor. [[Polly Holliday]], an actress best known for her role in ''[[Alice (TV series)|Alice]]'', played Mrs. Deagle. Dante considered the casting fortunate, as she was well-known and he considered her to be talented. Two other well-known actors, ''Fast Times''{{'}} [[Judge Reinhold]] and character actor [[Edward Andrews]], received roles that were significantly reduced after the film was edited; they played Billy's superiors at the bank.<ref name="DVD" /> |
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===Special effects=== |
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[[File:HowieMandelM07.jpg|upright|thumb|Comedian [[Howie Mandel]] provided the voice for Gizmo.]] |
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Some of the performances were shot on the backlot of [[Universal Studios]] in California (Mrs. Deagle's house was one such set as well as the opening street scenes in Chinatown, which were filmed on the [[Warner Bros. Studios]] backlot). This required fake snow; Dante also felt it was an atmosphere that would make the special effects more convincing. As the special effects relied mainly on puppetry (an earlier attempt to use [[monkey]]s was abandoned because the test monkey panicked when made to wear a gremlin head),<ref name=Empire>{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=41383 |title=Gremlins Reunion: First Look At The Empire Photoshoot | work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |date=25 June 2014 |accessdate=26 June 2014}}</ref> the actors worked alongside some of the puppets. Nevertheless, after the actors finished their work for good, a great deal of effort was spent finishing the effects. Numerous small rubber puppets, some of which were mechanical, were used to portray Gizmo and the gremlins. They were designed by [[Chris Walas]]. There was more than one Gizmo puppet, and occasionally Galligan, when carrying one, would set him down off camera, and when Gizmo appeared again sitting on a surface it was actually a different puppet wired to the surface. These puppets had many limitations. The Gizmo puppets were particularly frustrating because they were smaller and thus broke down more. Consequently, to satisfy the crew, a scene was included in which the gremlins hang Gizmo on a wall and throw darts at him. This was included on a list that the crew created known to them as the "Horrible Things to do to Gizmo" list.<ref name="DVD"/> |
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A few marionettes were also used. Other effects required large mogwai faces and ears to be produced for close-ups, as the puppets were less capable of conveying emotion. Consequently, large props simulating food were needed for the close-ups in the scene in which the mogwai feast after midnight. An enlarged Gizmo puppet was also needed for the scene in which he multiplies. The new mogwai, who popped out of Gizmo's body as small, furry balls which then started to grow, were balloons and expanded as such. Walas had also created the exploding gremlin in the microwave by means of a balloon that was allowed to burst.<ref name="DVD"/> |
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[[Howie Mandel]] provided the voice for Gizmo, and prolific voice actor [[Frank Welker]] provided the voice for Stripe. It was Welker who suggested Mandel perform in ''Gremlins''. The puppets' lines were mostly invented by the voice actors, based on cues from the physical actions of the puppets, which were filmed before the voice work. When developing the voice for Gizmo, Mandel explained, "[Gizmo was] cute and naive, so, you know, I got in touch with that... I couldn't envision going any other way or do something different with it".<ref name="Mandel">{{cite AV media |people=[[Howie Mandel|Mandel, Howie]], [[Joe Dante|Dante, Joe]] |date=2002 |title=Steven Spielberg presents ''Gremlins'' Special edition audio commentary |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video}}</ref> The majority of the other gremlins' voices were performed by [[Michael Winslow]] and [[Peter Cullen]], while the remaining voices were done by [[Bob Bergen]], [[Fred Newman (actor)|Fred Newman]], [[Mark Dodson]], [[Bob Holt (actor)|Bob Holt]], and Michael Sheehan. |
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===Music=== |
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The film's score was composed by [[Jerry Goldsmith]], who won a [[Saturn Award for Best Music]] for his efforts. The main score was composed with the objective of conveying "the mischievous humor and mounting suspense of Gremlins".<ref name="Behind Scenes" /> Goldsmith also wrote Gizmo's song, which was hummed by a child actress and acquaintance of Goldsmith's, rather than Mandel himself.<ref name="DVD" /> Goldsmith also appears in the film (as does Steven Spielberg), in the scene where Rand calls home from the salesman's convention. |
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The soundtrack album was released by [[Geffen Records]] as a specially priced mini-album on LP and cassette (Goldsmith's music comprised all of side two) and reissued on compact disc in 1993 only in Germany. |
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# Gremlins...Mega Madness – [[Michael Sembello]] (3:50) |
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# Make It Shine – [[Quarterflash]] (4:10) |
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# Out/Out – [[Peter Gabriel]] (7:00) |
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# The Gift (4:51) |
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# Gizmo (4:09) |
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# Mrs. Deagle (2:50) |
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# The Gremlin Rag (4:03) |
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"Gremlins...Mega Madness" was also released as a single, with "The Gremlin Rag" as its B-side. |
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In 2011, ''[[Film Score Monthly]]'' issued a two-disc release of the soundtrack, with the complete score on disc one and the original soundtrack album on disc two (representing the latter's first North American CD issue); this was the label's final Jerry Goldsmith album. |
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''DISC ONE: The Film Score'' |
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{{div col|colwidth=20em}} |
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# Fanfare in C ([[Max Steiner]]) / The Shop / The Little One 4:30 |
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# Late for Work 1:46 |
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# Mrs. Deagle / That Dog 2:22 |
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# The Gift 1:45 |
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# First Aid 2:17 |
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# Spilt Water 3:02 |
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# A New One 1:10 |
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# The Lab / Old Times 2:35 |
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# The Injection 2:56 |
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# Snack Time / The Wrong Time 1:49 |
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# The Box 1:24 |
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# First Aid 1:39 |
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# Disconnected / Hurry Home 1:03 |
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# Kitchen Fight 4:06 |
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# Dirty Linen 0:43 |
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# The Pool 1:07 |
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# The Plow / Special Delivery 1:16 |
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# High Flyer 2:22 |
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# Too Many Gremlins 2:06 |
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# No Santa Claus 3:27 |
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# After Theatre 1:39 |
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# Theatre Escape / Stripe Is Loose / Toy Dept. / No Gizmo 4:36 |
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# The Fountain / Stripe's Death 5:42 |
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# Goodbye, Billy 2:56 |
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# End Title / The Gremlin Rag 4:10 |
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# Blues 2:17 |
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# Mrs. Deagle [film version] 1:27 |
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# God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen [traditional, arr. Alexander Courage] 1:12 |
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# After Theatre [with "Silent Night"] 1:36 |
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# After Theatre [without "Silent Night"] 1:36 |
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# Rabbit Rampage [Milt Franklyn] 0:47 |
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# The Gremlin Rag [full version] 3:35 |
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# Gizmo's New Song 0:35 |
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# Gizmo's Trumpet 0:30 |
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{{div col end}} |
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Tracks 26–34 are listed as bonus tracks. |
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''DISC TWO: 1984 Soundtrack Album'' |
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# Gremlins...Mega Madness – Michael Sembello 3:52 |
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# Make It Shine – Quarterflash 4:11 |
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# Out/Out – Peter Gabriel 7:02 |
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# The Gift 4:58 |
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# Gizmo 4:14 |
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# Mrs. Deagle 2:54 |
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# The Gremlin Rag 4:13 |
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===Rating=== |
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Along with ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]'', also rated PG, ''Gremlins'' was one of two films in 1984 to influence the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]] [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system#Addition of PG-13 rating|to create the PG-13 rating]], with ''[[Red Dawn]]'' being the first film released in theaters that was given the new rating in August 1984.<ref name="PG-13" /> The scene in which a gremlin explodes in the microwave was particularly influential to the idea that some films too light to be rated R are still too mature to be rated PG. The change to the rating system was not insignificant; the rating PG-13 turned out to be appealing to many film patrons, as it implied some excitement without being too explicit.<ref name="PG-13" /> |
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==Reception== |
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===Critical reception=== |
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[[Roger Ebert]] approved of the film, awarding three out of four stars and declaring it to not only be "fun", but also a "sly series of send-ups", effectively [[parody]]ing many elemental film storylines. In his opinion, ''Gremlins'' did this partly through depictions of mysterious worlds (the shop in Chinatown) and tyrannical elderly women (Mrs. Deagle). Ebert also believed the rule in which a mogwai cannot eat after midnight was inspired by [[fairy tale]]s, and that the final scenes parody classic horror films. He connected Kate's speech about her father with "the great tradition of 1950s sick jokes".<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=June 8, 1984 |url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/gremlins-1984 |title=Gremlins |work=Rogerebert.com}}</ref> [[Gene Siskel]] gave the film three-and-a-half out of four stars, describing it as "a wickedly funny and slightly sick ride," and "a most original work. We're aware at every moment that someone is trying to entertain us. Playfulness abounds."<ref>[[Gene Siskel|Siskel, Gene]] (June 8, 1984). "'Gremlins' rots the brain — delightfully". ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. Section 5, p. 1, 2.</ref> [[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' was mixed, writing that the film "is far more interested in showing off its knowledge of movie lore and making random jokes than in providing consistent entertainment. Unfortunately, it's funniest when being most nasty."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Canby |first=Vincent |authorlink=Vincent Canby |date=June 8, 1984 |title=Screen: 'Gremlins', Kiddie Gore |url= |journal=[[The New York Times]] |page=C10 }}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' declared, "Make room for adorable 'Gremlins' dolls on the shelves and start counting the take for another calculated audience pleaser from the Steven Spielberg-Frank Marshall-Kathleen Kennedy team. But that's all that's here in this showy display of technical talent, otherwise nearly heedless of dramatic concerns."<ref>{{cite journal |date=May 23, 1984 |title=Gremlins |url= |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=12 }}</ref> [[Leonard Maltin]] disapproved of the film, and his view was made clear in remarks he made on the television show ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]''. He called the film "icky" and "gross".<ref name="Grant">{{cite journal |last=Grant |first=Edmond |date=October 1990 |title=''Gremlins 2'' |journal=Films in Review |volume=41 |issue=10 |pp=485–487}}</ref> He later wrote that despite being set in a "picture-[[postcard]] town" and blending the feel of ''[[It's a Wonderful Life]]'' (a clip of which appears in ''Gremlins'') with that of ''[[The Blob]]'', the film is "negated by too-vivid violence and mayhem"; giving the film two out of four stars.{{sfn|Maltin|2001|p=557}} Maltin later made a cameo appearance in ''Gremlins 2'', repeating his criticisms of the original on film, as an [[in-joke]], before being throttled by the creatures; he later gave the second film a more positive rating, three out of four stars. |
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While some critics criticized the film's depictions of violence and greed—such as death scenes, Kate's speech, and the gremlins' gluttony—for lacking comic value, scholar Charlotte Miller instead interpreted these as a [[satire]] of "some characteristics of [[Western culture|Western civilization]]", suggesting that Westerners may take too much satisfaction from violence. ''Gremlins'' can also be interpreted as a statement against technology, in that some characters, such as Billy's father, are overly dependent on it. In contrast, Mr. Wing is shown to have a strong distaste for television.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Miller |first=Charlotte |date=April 1985 |title=Using ''Gremlins'' to Teach Theme |journal=The English Journal |volume=74 |number=4 |p=69}}</ref> [[Kirkpatrick Sale]] also interpreted ''Gremlins'' as an anti-technology film in his book ''Rebels Against the Future''.{{sfn|Sale|p=240}} Another scholar suggested that the film is meant to express a number of observations of society by having the gremlin characters shift in what they are meant to represent. At different times, they are depicted as [[teenager]]s, the wealthy establishment, or fans of [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] films.<ref name="Rosenbaum">{{cite journal |last=Rosenbaum |first=Jonathan |date=Autumn 1988 |title=Who Framed Roger Rabbit |journal=[[Film Quarterly]] |volume=42 |number=1 |p=37}}</ref> |
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Another scholar drew a connection between the microwave scene and urban legends about pets dying in microwave ovens. He described the portrayal of this urban legend in the film as successful, but that meant it seemed terrible.<ref name="Doyle">{{cite journal |last=Doyle |first=Charles Clay |date=January 1988 |title=The Avenging Voice from the Depths |journal=Western Folklore |volume=47 |number=1 |p=21}}</ref> This is indeed a scene that is thought of as being one of the film's most violent depictions; with even Roger Ebert expressing some fear in his review that the film might encourage children to try similar things with their pets.<ref name="Ebert" /> |
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''Gremlins'' has been criticized for more than its depictions of violence. One [[BBC]] critic wrote in 2000 that "The plot is thin and the pacing is askew". However, that critic also complimented the dark humour contrasted against the ideal Christmas setting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/15/gremlins_1984_review.shtml |title=Gremlins (1984) |last=Haflidason |first=Almar |work=Film Reviews |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=2000 |accessdate=April 29, 2006}}</ref> In 2002, another critic wrote that in hindsight, ''Gremlins'' has "corny special effects" and that the film will tend to appeal to children more so than to adults; he also said the acting was dull.<ref>Blake French, "[http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/ddb5490109a79f598625623d0015f1e4/763408a278500cd788256c2b00838caf?OpenDocument Gremlins] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523182636/http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/ddb5490109a79f598625623d0015f1e4/763408a278500cd788256c2b00838caf?OpenDocument |date=2006-05-23 }}", ''[[AMC (TV channel)|Filmcritic.com]]'', 2002. URL accessed May 3, 2006.</ref> |
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Despite the initial mixed criticism, ''Gremlins'' has continued to receive critical praise over the years. It currently holds an 85% "Certified Fresh" rating on the review aggregate website [[Rotten Tomatoes]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gremlins/ |title= ''Gremlins'' Movie Reviews, Pictures |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date= |accessdate=May 21, 2010}}</ref> and is considered by many as one of the best films of 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/1984.html |title=The Greatest Films of 1984 |publisher=[[AMC (TV channel)|AMC Filmsite.org]] |date= |accessdate=May 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.film.com/features/story/10-best-movies-of-1984/15492765 |title=The 10 Best Movies of 1984 |publisher=[[RealNetworks|Film.com]] |date= |accessdate=May 21, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204103324/http://www.film.com/features/story/10-best-movies-of-1984/15492765 |archivedate=December 4, 2008 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/search/title?year=1984,1984&title_type=feature&sort=moviemeter,asc |title=Most Popular Feature Films Released in 1984 |publisher=[[IMDb|IMDb.com]] |date= |accessdate= May 22, 2010}}</ref> |
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====Allegations of racism==== |
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Since its release, some people have criticized ''Gremlins'' as being culturally insensitive. [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] argued that the film presents gremlins as [[African Americans]].<ref name="Rosenbaum" /> In ''Ceramic Uncles & Celluloid Mammies'', Patricia Turner writes that the gremlins "reflect negative African-American stereotypes" in their dress and behavior. They are shown "devouring fried chicken with their hands", listening to black music, breakdancing, and wearing sunglasses after dark and newsboy caps, a style common among African American males in the 1980s.{{sfn|Turner|1994|pp=151–52}} |
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===Box office=== |
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[[File:Joe Dante 66%C3%A8me Festival de Venise (Mostra) 2.jpg|upright|thumb|Director [[Joe Dante]] acknowledged some parents were upset after taking their children to see ''Gremlins'' in theaters.]] |
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Financially, ''Gremlins'' was a success. Produced on an $11 million budget, it was more expensive than Spielberg had originally intended but still relatively cheap for its time.<ref name="DVD" /> The [[Trailer (film)|trailer]] introduced the film to audiences by briefly explaining that Billy receives a strange creature as a Christmas present, by going over the three rules, and then coming out with the fact that the creatures transform into terrible monsters. This trailer showed little of either the mogwai or the gremlins.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=2002 |title=Steven Spielberg presents ''Gremlins'' Special edition: Theatrical Trailers |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video}}</ref> In contrast to this, other advertisements concentrated on Gizmo, overlooked the gremlins, and made the film look similar to Spielberg's earlier family film ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'' (1982).<ref name="PG-13">Anthony Breznican, "[http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/187529_pg13rating24.html PG-13 remade Hollywood ratings system]", [[Associated Press|The Associated Press]], August 24, 2004.</ref> |
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''Gremlins'' was released into North American theaters on June 8, 1984, the same day as Ivan Reitman's ''[[Ghostbusters]]''. ''Gremlins'' ranked second, with $12.5 million in its first weekend, $1.1 million less than ''Ghostbusters''. By the end of its American screenings on November 29, it had grossed $148,168,459 domestically. This made it the fourth highest-grossing film of the year, behind ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]'', ''[[Ghostbusters]]'', and ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]''.<ref name="box office">{{cite web |title=Gremlins | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gremlins.htm | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=April 30, 2006}}</ref> In August 1984, it opened in Argentina and Spain, and in October it premiered in [[West Germany]]. Screenings began in Mexico, Australia, and much of the rest of Europe in December.<ref>"[http://imdb.com/title/tt0087363/releaseinfo Release dates for Gremlins]" [[IMDb|IMDb.com]], URL accessed May 11, 2006.</ref> Since ''Gremlins'' had an international audience, different versions of the film were made to overcome cultural barriers. Mandel learned to speak his few intelligible lines, such as "Bright light!", in various languages, including German. Regional music and humor were also incorporated into foreign-language versions. Dante credited this work as being one of the factors which helped to make ''Gremlins'' a worldwide success.<ref name="DVD" /> However, many critics questioned the summer release date of the film in America, as the film takes place during the Christmas holiday season, causing them to comment that it should have had a Christmas release date instead. |
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In addition to this, there were also complaints from audiences about the violence depicted in the film. These complaints were particularly present in people who had brought their children to see the film, many of whom walked out of the theater before the film had ended. Dante admitted to reporters later that "the idea of taking a 4-year-old to see ''Gremlins'', thinking it's going to be a cuddly, funny animal movie and then seeing that it turns into a horror picture, I think people were upset... They felt like they had been sold something family friendly and it wasn't entirely family friendly".<ref name="PG-13" /> |
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The film became available to audiences again when it was brought back to theaters on August 30, 1985. This additional release brought its gross up to $153,083,102.<ref name="box office" /> |
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===Accolades=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 99%;" |
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|- |
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! scope="col"| Award |
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! scope="col"|Date of ceremony |
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! scope="col"| Category |
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! scope="col"| Recipient(s) |
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! scope="col"| Result |
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! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
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|- |
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| rowspan="1" | [[Goldene Leinwand]] |
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| rowspan="1" | March 27, 1985 |
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| Goldene Leinwand |
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| [[Joe Dante]] |
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| {{won}} |
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| rowspan="1" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldene-leinwand.de/filme/gremlins-kleine-monster/ |title=Gremlins - Kleine Monster |work=[[Goldene Leinwand]] |accessdate=June 26, 2017}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| rowspan="9" | [[Saturn Award|Saturn Awards]] |
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| rowspan="9" | [[12th Saturn Awards|June 9, 1985]] |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Horror Film|Best Horror Film]] |
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| ''Gremlins'' |
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| {{won}} |
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| rowspan="9" | <ref>{{cite news |date=February 22, 1985 |title='Gremlins' leads Saturn Award nominations |newspaper=[[Reno Gazette-Journal]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |title=Past Saturn Awards |publisher=[[Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films]] |accessdate=8 June 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601200624/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |archivedate=1 June 2007}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Director|Best Director]] |
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| Joe Dante |
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| {{won}} |
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|- |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] |
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| [[Dick Miller]] |
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| {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] |
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| [[Polly Holliday]] |
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| {{won}} |
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|- |
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| Best Younger Actor |
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| [[Corey Feldman]] |
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| {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Writing|Best Writing]] |
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| [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]] |
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| {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Music|Best Music]] |
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| [[Jerry Goldsmith]] |
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| {{won}} |
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|- |
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| [[Saturn Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]] |
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| [[Chris Walas]] |
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| {{won}} |
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|- |
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| Best Make-Up |
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| Greg LaCava |
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| {{nom}} |
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|- |
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| rowspan="2" | [[Young Artist Awards]] |
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| rowspan="2" | [[6th Young Artist Awards|December 2, 1984]] |
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| Best Family Motion Picture - Adventure |
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| ''Gremlins'' |
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| {{won}} |
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| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youngartistawards.org:80/pastnoms6.htm |title=Sixth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1983-1984 |work=[[Young Artist Awards]] |accessdate=May 6, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506135203/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms6.htm |archivedate=6 May 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> |
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|- |
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| Best Young Supporting Actor |
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| Corey Feldman |
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| {{nom}} |
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|- |
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|} |
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===Home media=== |
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''Gremlins'' was released on [[VHS]], [[CED Videodisc]], and Beta in 1985, and made $79,500,000 in [[video rental store]]s.<ref>"[http://imdb.com/title/tt0087363/business Business Data for Gremlins]" [[IMDb|IMDb.com]], URL accessed May 7, 2006.</ref> The film was released on [[DVD]] in 1997 in a bare bones presentation. It included both full screen and widescreen versions and the film's trailer. It was repackaged in 1999 with the same disc, but a different cover. On August 20, 2002, a "[[special edition]]" DVD was released, which featured [[Audio commentary|cast and filmmakers' commentary]] and [[deleted scene]]s. A 25th anniversary [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] edition was released on December 1, 2009. |
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==Merchandising== |
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[[File:GremlinStripeByInti.jpg|upright|thumb|Figurine based on the Stripe character.]] |
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With its commercial themes, particularly the perceived [[cuteness]] of the character Gizmo, ''Gremlins'' became the center of considerable merchandising. Due to this, it became part of a rising trend in film, which had received a boost from Spielberg's ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''.<ref name="DVD" /> Manufacturers including [[LJN]] produced versions of Gizmo as [[doll]]s or [[stuffed animal]]s. (The latter of which became a popular high demand toy during the [[holiday season]] of 1984.) Both Gizmo and the gremlins were mass-produced as [[action figure]]s, and [[Topps]] printed [[trading card]]s based upon the film.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000A1R4Q Gremlins Action Figure: Gizmo by NECA], [[Amazon.com]], URL accessed April 30, 2006; [https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000A1R4O Gremlins Action Figure: Poker Player by NECA], [[Amazon.com]], URL accessed April 30, 2006; [https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000EO5MRI Gremlins Movie Photo Trading Cards Box -36 Count by Topps]," [[Amazon.com]]. Retrieved April 30, 2006.</ref> A product placement deal with fast food chain [[Hardee's]] also led to a series of five book-and-cassette/45 records adaptations of the film's story. Starting in the early 2000s, companies such as [[Jun Planning]] and the [[National Entertainment Collectibles Association]] produced all-new Gremlins toys and collectibles. In 2017 Trick or Treat Studios began producing official Gremlins life-size puppets of Stripe and Gizmo<ref>http://animatronichalloween.com/gremlin-halloween-props-coming-in-august-2017/</ref>. |
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The film was also the basis for a [[novel]] of the same name by [[George Gipe]], published by [[Avon Books]] in June 1984. The novel offered an origin for mogwai and gremlins as a prologue. Supposedly, mogwai were created as gentle, contemplative creatures by a scientist on an alien world. However, it was discovered that their physiology was unstable. The end result was that only 1 in 10,000 mogwai would retain their sweet, loving demeanor. The rest would change into creatures that the novel referred to as "mischievous". The minority mogwai (the 1 in 10,000) are all but immortal by human standards, though Gizmo explains to Stripe that if he were to undergo the transformation himself, he would become like the others, "short lived and violent." This origin is unique to the novel but is referred to in the novelization of ''Gremlins 2'' by [[David Bischoff]]. No definitive origin for mogwai or gremlins is given in either ''Gremlins'' film. |
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In addition to this, ''Gremlins'' brand breakfast cereal was produced by Ralston concurrent to and for a few years after the first film was released in 1984. The front of the cereal box featured Gizmo, and inside were decals of the malevolent gremlins, including Stripe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-ralston2.html|title=Topher's Breakfast Cereal Character Guide|accessdate=August 8, 2008}}</ref> |
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===Video games=== |
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{{anchor|gremlins_5200}}{{anchor|gremlins_un}}{{anchor|gremlins_vs}} |
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====Action-oriented video games==== |
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{{see also|Gremlins (video game)}} |
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Several officially licensed [[video game]]s based on the film have been produced. One of the first was ''[[Gremlins (Atari 2600)|Gremlins]]'', released by [[Atari, Inc.]] for their [[Atari 2600|2600]] console. |
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Atari, Inc. released a completely different<ref name="atariprotos">{{cite web|url=http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/gremlins/gremlins.htm|title=AtariProtos.com - All Your Protos Are Belong To Us!|work=atariprotos.com}}</ref> (and more technically advanced) game- also called ''Gremlins''- for the [[Atari 5200]] console and the [[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]], and [[IBM PC]] computers. Although the Atari 5200 version went to manufacturing in 1984, the turmoil surrounding [[Jack Tramiel]]'s takeover of Atari's consumer business resulted in it not being released until 1986.<ref name="atariprotos"/> |
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In the 2000s, more games were released; ''Gremlins: Unleashed!'' was released on [[Game Boy Color]] in 2001. The game was about Gizmo trying to catch Stripe and thirty other gremlins, while the gremlins also try to turn Gizmo into a gremlin. Both Gizmo and Stripe are playable characters in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/gbc/519130-gremlins-unleashed/images/screen-2|title=Gremlins: Unleashed|work=gamefaqs.com}}</ref> |
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A Gremlins Team Pack was released for ''[[Lego Dimensions]]'' on November 18, 2016. The pack includes minifigures of Gizmo and Stripe, a constructible polaroid camera and RC car, and grants access to an Adventure World and Battle Arena based on the film. Howie Mandel and Frank Welker reprise their respective roles as Gizmo and Stripe, while Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton and Frances Lee McCain reprise as non-playable characters Kate Beringer, Randall Peltzer and Lynn Peltzer respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/lego-dimensions-expansions-trailer/ |title=LEGO Dimensions Expansions Trailer: Harry Potter, Goonies, Gremlins & more |publisher=Slashfilm.com |date=2016-06-09 |accessdate=2016-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cosmicbooknews.com/content/lego-dimensions-adds-fantastic-beasts-adventue-time-gremlins-sonic-et |title=LEGO Dimensions Adds Fantastic Beasts, Adventue Time, Gremlins, Sonic & ET |publisher=Cosmic Book News |date= |accessdate=2016-11-22}}</ref> |
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====''Gremlins: The Adventure''==== |
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{{anchor|gremlins_adv}} |
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At the time of the film's release, an [[interactive fiction]] game based on scenes from the film, entitled ''Gremlins: The Adventure'' (1985), was released for various [[home computers]], including the [[Acorn Electron]], the [[BBC Micro]], the [[Commodore 64]] and the [[ZX Spectrum]]. The game was written by [[Brian Howarth]] for [[Adventure Soft]] and was text-based, with full-color illustrations on some formats. |
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==Legacy== |
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The film not only spawned the sequel, ''[[Gremlins 2: The New Batch]]'', and an advertisement for [[BT Group|British Telecom]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2008/apr/30/dragons.den.gremlins.bt | title=It's Dragon v Gremlins in BT ad | work=The Guardian | publisher=Guardian.co.uk | date=April 30, 2008 | access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> but is believed to have been the inspiration for several unrelated films about small monsters. These include ''[[Critters (film series)|Critters]]'',{{sfn|Maltin|2001|p=298}} ''[[Ghoulies]]'',<ref name="Doyle" /> ''[[Troll (film)|Troll]]'',{{sfn|Maltin|2001|p=1141}} ''[[Hobgoblins (film)|Hobgoblins]]''<ref>{{cite web | first=Jason | last=Gibner | title=Hobgoblins | url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/hobgoblins-v22679 | work=[[Allmovie]] | publisher=RhythmOne | access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> and ''[[Munchies (film)|Munchies]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Toole |first=Lawrence |date=January 16, 1987 |title=NY CLIPS Nell says no to fashion king and Warren's spoon is hot |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |p=D.6}}</ref> |
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In music, the Scottish post-rock band [[Mogwai]] are named after the film's creatures: as for the reason for the band chose this as their name, their guitarist, Stuart Braithwaite, has stated that "it has no significant meaning and we always intended on getting a better one, but like a lot of other things we never got round to it".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mogwai.co.uk/words/Frequently_Asked_Questions/Frequently_Asked_Questions/ |title=Mogwai Band FAQ |publisher=Mogwai.co.uk |date= |access-date=April 12, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421044521/http://www.mogwai.co.uk/words/Frequently_Asked_Questions/Frequently_Asked_Questions/ |archivedate=April 21, 2006 |df= }}</ref> Welsh singer and songwriter Rod Thomas performs under the name [[Bright Light Bright Light]], which is a direct quote from the film.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web | first=Michael | last=Cragg | title=New music: Bright Light Bright Light – Disco Moment | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/jun/30/new-music-bright-light-disco-moment | work=The Guardian | publisher=Guardian.co.uk | date=June 30, 2011 | access-date=December 27, 2012}}</ref> |
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In January 2013, Vulture reported that Warner Bros. was negotiating with Amblin Entertainment to reboot the ''Gremlins'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web | first=Claude | last=Brodesser-Akner | title=Warner Bros. Looking to Breed Gremlins Again | url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/01/warner-bros-looking-to-breed-gremlins-again-reboot.html | work=Vulture | publisher=New York Media LLC | date=January 16, 2013 | access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> [[Seth Grahame-Smith]] was tapped to produce, alongside David Katzenberg.<ref>{{cite web | first=Brad | last=Miska | title=Exclusive: 'Gremlins' Reboot Has Seth Grahame-Smith Snacking After Midnight! | url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3232653/exclusive-gremlins-reboot-has-seth-grahame-smith-snacking-after-midnight/ | work=Bloody Disgusting! | date=May 13, 2013 | access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> In January 2015, Grahame-Smith stated that the project has been put on hold.<ref>{{cite web | first=Alex | last=Maidy | title=Seth Grahame-Smith says the Gremlins reboot is in a holding pattern | url=http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/seth-grahame-smith-says-the-gremlins-reboot-is-in-a-holding-pattern-206 | work=JoBlo | publisher=JoBlo Media, Inc. | date=January 16, 2015 | access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> In November 2015, [[Zach Galligan]] confirmed that the third film will be a sequel and not a reboot.<ref>{{cite web | first=Simon | last=Brew | title=Gremlins 3 won't be a remake or reboot | url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gremlins/38022/gremlins-3-wont-be-a-remake-or-reboot | work=Den of Geek | publisher=Dennis Publishing, Ltd. | date=November 27, 2015 | access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> |
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In a December 2016 interview with ''Bleeding Cool'', Galligan again spoke about a third film saying that "Warner Bros. definitely wants it, Chris Columbus wants to do it because he’d like to undo the ''Gremlins 2'' thing as he wasn’t thrilled with it, and Spielberg wants to." He claimed ''Gremlins 3'' is being written by Carl Ellsworth.<ref>{{cite web | first=John| last=Squires | title=Zach Galligan Offers ‘Gremlins 3’ Update; "Warner Bros. Definitely Wants It" | url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3419325/zach-galligan-offers-gremlins-3-update-warner-bros-definitely-wants/ | work=Bloody Disgusting | date=December 27, 2016 | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref> In an interview with [[/Film]] in 2017, a script was written by Chris Columbus. His script explored the idea that has been on the fan's mind for a long time: "if all the gremlins come from getting Gizmo wet and feeding his mogwai offspring after midnight, should Gizmo be eliminated?" He described his script as "twisted and dark".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/gremlins-3-has-been-written/|title=Exclusive: ‘Gremlins 3’ Has a “Twisted and Dark” Screenplay Says Writer Chris Columbus|publisher=[[/Film]]|date=August 15, 2017|author=Fred Topel|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> |
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In 2017, gremlins were featured in the animated film ''[[The Lego Batman Movie]]'', with director [[Chris McKay]] explaining he loved the characters. The gremlins were among numerous villains from outside of the ''[[Batman]]'' franchise playing a role in the film, with many of the added antagonists owned by Warner Bros.<ref>{{cite web | first=Clarisse | last=Loughrey | title=The LEGO Batman Movie nearly included some very different villains | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-lego-batman-movie-different-villains-moriarty-sherlock-daniel-day-lewis-a7578901.html | work=[[The Independent]] | date=February 14, 2017 | access-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Film in the United States|1980s}} |
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* [[Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure]] (a.k.a. Gremlins Invasion), two defunct amusement rides themed after the film |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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===Bibliography=== |
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* {{cite book |last=Bilstein |first=Roger E. |date=2001 |title=Flight in America: From the Wrights to the Astronauts |location=Baltimore |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=0-8018-6685-5 |ref=harv}} |
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* {{cite book |last=Maltin |first=Leonard |date=2001 |title=Leonard Maltin's 2002 Movie & Video Guide |location= |publisher=A Signet Book |ref=harv}} |
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* {{cite book |last=Sale |first=Kirkpatrick |title=Rebels Against the Future |publisher=Quartet Books |ref=harv}} |
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* {{cite book |last=Turner |first=Patricia A. |date=1994 |title=Ceramic Uncles & Celluloid Mammies: Black Images and Their Influence on Culture |location=New York |publisher=Anchor Books |isbn=0-385-46784-2 |ref=harv}} |
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==External links== |
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{{commons category-inline|Gremlins (film)}} |
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{{wikiquote-inline|Gremlins}} |
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* {{IMDb title|0087363}} |
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* {{Tcmdb title|16786}} |
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* {{Amg title|20918}} |
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* {{mojo title|gremlins}} |
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* {{rotten-tomatoes|gremlins}} |
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* [http://16-9.dk/2008-02/side11_inenglish.htm Gremlins in the Mix] – Article on '' Gremlins '' and genre-blending |
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{{Gremlins}} |
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{{Joe Dante}} |
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{{Saturn Award for Best Horror Film 1972–1990}} |
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[[Category:1984 films]] |
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[[Category:1984 horror films]] |
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[[Category:1980s comedy horror films]] |
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[[Category:1980s monster movies]] |
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[[Category:Amblin Entertainment films]] |
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[[Category:American Christmas films]] |
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[[Category:American comedy horror films]] |
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[[Category:American films]] |
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[[Category:American monster movies]] |
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[[Category:Christmas horror films]] |
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[[Category:Dark fantasy films]] |
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[[Category:English-language films]] |
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[[Category:Films scored by Jerry Goldsmith]] |
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[[Category:Films directed by Joe Dante]] |
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[[Category:Films featuring puppetry]] |
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[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:Gremlins franchise]] |
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[[Category:Screenplays by Chris Columbus]] |
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[[Category:Warner Bros. films]] |
Revision as of 16:45, 5 December 2018
Gremlins are dumb.