After almost 40 years, the long-awaited sequel to one of the most beloved comedy, horror, Christmas genre mash-ups of all time is finally, definitely, for real this time happening. Following year after year of rumors, speculation, and false starts, the Gremlins are back, with the first official teaser for Gremlins 3 confirming that, yes, the sequel is really coming, the much-loved mysterious critter Gizmo will return, and the movie will be released in 2028.
Released in 1984, the first Gremlins is directed by Joe Dante from a script by Chris Columbus and introduces audiences to Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer, who finds himself the owner of the mysterious Mogwai known as Gizmo after receiving him as a Christmas gift from his father. Taking care of a Mogwai comes with three important rules: 1) Keep it away from bright light, especially sunlight, which will kill it; 2) Do not get it wet; and 3) Never feed it after midnight. When these rules are broken, all manner of havoc breaks loose as Gizmo spawns new creatures that evolve into the titular monsters.
Gremlins has since become a holiday favorite thanks to its darkly comedic script, instantly iconic creatures, and superb use of puppetry. A sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, was released in 1990, with a spin-off prequel series, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, being released on HBO Max in 2023. It’s now been 41 years since the first Gremlins, and Warner Bros. has officially confirmed that, not only is Gremlins 3 now all set for release, but it’s coming on 10.6.28. You can check out the first teaser and reunite with Gizmo below…
While giving little away (aside from confirming that the release date has been delayed from Nov. 19, 2027, to Oct. 6, 2028), the teaser does confirm that, thankfully, Gremlins 3 will stick with the expert puppetry and animatronics. After all these decades, it’s like Gizmo never left as the cute critter discreetly pokes his fluffy face out of a rucksack to once again warm our hearts. Of course, who knows what horrors he will unwittingly unleash this time.
Details of the plot and cast for Gremlins 3 currently remain under wraps, but director Chris Columbus did reveal exclusively to MovieWeb just last year that it is a reboot. “[I’m] working on a script for Gremlins, a new Gremlins reboot that I feel, if there’s a reason to do it. Let’s do it. And you know, that’s to me, if, for lack of a better word, a franchise that I love, that I think is a lot of fun. And so that’s intriguing to me.”
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
