Gremlins | Rotten Tomatoes

Gremlins

PG

Released Jun 8, 1984

1h 46m

Holiday

Fantasy

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Horror

List

Christmas Horror Movies

22:07

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86%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

78%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

A gadget salesman is looking for a special gift for his son and finds one at a store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the "mogwai" but sells it to him with the warning to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. All of this happens and the result is a gang of gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.

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Critics Consensus

Whether you choose to see it as a statement on consumer culture or simply a special effects-heavy popcorn flick, Gremlins is a minor classic.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It is a wacky, satirical spectacle of chaos.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2019

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

A wildly original roller-coaster ride of hilarious mischief.

Dec 6, 2013

Full Review

Peter Travers

People Magazine

Here's the season's most delicious and unexpected surprise. Despite the horror-flick title, Gremlins is a movie of wicked wit and startling invention, and it has a heart that's at least a match for the special effects.

Dec 6, 2013

Full Review

Ray Pride

Newcity

Joe Dante’s super little film... is a salute to American studio backlot filmmaking as well as a galloping gust of monster id/

Rated: 9/10

Dec 11, 2023

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

A seasonal classic for good reason, its family-friendly frights successfully blend together humor and horror for an alternative to more traditional holiday viewings.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 20, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Joe Dante delves into the cute and the cuddly and finds the evil green monsters hiding inside in [this] mix of Christmas comedy, monster movie, and very, very naughty children.

Dec 17, 2022

Full Review

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@TBfrom23

Recently moved to the neighborhood. Ordered tix on Fandango, whilst my 9 yr old son & I walked to thee Oriental Theatre. We walked in, and WOW! The movie experience was awesome, as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

Full Review

Ronald F

I thought it was a new movie that came out and realized it was the first movie I was bummed

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/11/22

Full Review

keith j

Loved seeing this classic on the big screen again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/05/21

Full Review

JasonMarvel

Movie itself was classic. 4DX implementation was underwhelming. Fun, but not the best use of the format.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/04/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Gremlins is an homage to Sci Fi/Monster movies, but it also stands on its own as a unique classic. In Gremlins, an unusual creature known as a Mogwai is given as a Christmas gift that goes awry, unleashing a holiday nightmare on a small cozy town. Imagine nasty little monsters being let loose into It's a Wonderful Life, that's Gremlins. Masterful use of practical effects brings the sometimes cute, but eventually ugly creatures to life, very effectively. Gremlins blurs the line between horror and comedy, and does it very well. Solid cast, memorable score and just very entertaining.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

Maikel K

Very fun movie, and not scary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

Full Review

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Joe Dante

Director

Zach Galligan

Billy Peltzer

Phoebe Cates

Kate

Hoyt Axton

Rand Peltzer

Frances Lee McCain

Lynn Peltzer

Polly Holliday

Mrs. Ruby Deagle

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Christmas Horror Movies

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Synopsis

A gadget salesman is looking for a special gift for his son and finds one at a store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the "mogwai" but sells it to him with the warning to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. All of this happens and the result is a gang of gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Michael Finnell
Screenwriter: Chris Columbus
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Holiday, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 8, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 2, 2014
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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