2027’s Sequel to an Iconic ’80s Movie Has Been Hollywood’s Longest Unfulfilled Promise

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For the past few decades, Hollywood has frequently revisited popular movies and TV shows from the 1980s with sequels or reboots. Many franchises, including RoboCop, 21 Jump Street, Ghostbusters, The A-Team, The Karate Kid, Footloose, Transformers, and G.I. Joe, have been reimagined for modern audiences since the 2010s, and this trend shows no signs of stopping. While films like Masters of the Universe (scheduled for 2026) continue to tap into 80s nostalgia, an even bigger franchise is set to return in 2027.

Director Joe Dante made a huge impact on 1980s cinema, directing many popular and well-loved films. He worked on projects such as The Howling, Twilight Zone: The Movie, and The ‘Burbs, but the decade is best remembered for his biggest hit, Gremlins.

Gremlins 3 Is Finally Happening After 37 Years

A third Gremlins movie is officially in the works! It’s been 37 years since Gremlins 2: The New Batch came out in 1990, and fans have been waiting for a sequel ever since. The first Gremlins film was a huge success in 1984, earning $212.9 million despite only costing $11 million to make. It was both critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences, becoming a cultural phenomenon that even inspired other films like Critters.

The original Gremlins film brought together a talented team, including director Joe Dante, writer Chris Columbus, and executive producer Steven Spielberg, making it a standout project of its time. Its festive Christmas setting and the adorable, marketable Gizmo helped it become a massive success – Gizmo remains a beloved character even now. Because the first film did so well, Warner Bros. immediately wanted a sequel. While Dante was initially hesitant, he agreed to return as director when the studio offered him full creative control and a substantial $50 million budget, paving the way for The New Batch.

Despite the disappointing box office performance of Gremlins 2, the original Gremlins remained popular, making another film likely. Talk of a third movie began in 2013, with actor Zach Galligan mentioning it would be a sequel. Throughout the mid-to-late 2010s, director Chris Columbus worked on the script, and in 2020, he confirmed that the gremlins would be brought to life with practical puppets instead of computer-generated imagery.

After a period of silence, Warner Bros. announced on April 11, 2025, that Gremlins 3 is officially in development. Chris Columbus will direct the new film and also co-write the script alongside Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, who previously worked on Final Destination Bloodline. Filming is scheduled to begin in August 2026, with a planned release date of November 19, 2027.

Gremlins: The New Batch’s Tone Will Make Gremlins 3 Difficult

While we can hope the third Gremlins movie will be good, Gremlins 2: The New Batch presents a challenge. The original Gremlins blended humor with genuinely scary horror elements, but the sequel took a completely different approach. Gremlins 2 is an over-the-top slapstick comedy, packed with bizarre characters, set in a futuristic building, and even includes a musical performance by the Gremlins themselves.

Fans of the Gremlins series especially love Gremlins 2 because it’s so funny. However, the film’s comedic style is a big departure from the first movie and might not appeal to everyone. With decades having passed since a new Gremlins film, Warner Bros. now faces the challenge of creating something that pleases both longtime fans and new audiences.

The third Gremlins movie will likely feel more like the first film than the second. Since Chris Columbus didn’t write The New Batch, his work on the third movie will probably recapture the feel of his original script. With Joe Dante taking a less active role, the film likely won’t have the same wild, energetic humor, though it will still include some funny moments. Hopefully, Gremlins 3 is a success, but it will be interesting to see how Columbus and Warner Bros. navigate these changes.

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2026-06-13 00:20