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Gremlins (1984)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.8/10
Reviews Counted: 43
Fresh: 34 | Rotten: 9

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.

Average Rating: 5/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 3

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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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 418,685

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Movie Info

"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever, ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins, with devastating results. This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell-esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor (Hoyt Axton) purchases a cute, fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's (Keye Luke) grandson (John Louie), who dispenses the above-mentioned warning before

PG, 2 hr.

Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

Directed By: Joe Dante

Written By: Chris Columbus

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1984 Wide

On DVD: Jun 22, 1999

Warner Bros. Pictures

Gremlins Trailer & Photos

Cast

Zach Galligan
Billy
Hoyt Axton
Rand Peltzer
Frances Lee McCain
Lynn Peltzer
Phoebe Cates
Kate
Polly Holliday
Mrs. Deagle
Scott Brady
Sheriff
Glynn E. Turman
Hanson
Corey Feldman
Pete
Keye Luke
Grandfather
Judge Reinhold
Gerald
Jonathan Banks
Dep. Brent
Edward Andrews
Corben
Susan Arnold
Belinda Balaski
Mrs. Harris
John C. Becher
Dr. Molinaro
Joe Brooks
Santa
Harry Carey Jr.
Mr. Anderson
Mark Dodson
Special Vocal Effects
Donald Elson
Man on Street
Lois Foraker
Bank Teller
Bob Holt
Special Vocal Effects
Jackie Joseph
Mrs. Futterman
Nicky Katt
School Children
John Louie
Chinese Boy
James MacKrell
Lew Landers
Howie Mandel
Gizmo
Dick Miller
Mr. Futterman
Love Mushroom Psychedelic...
Barney
Michael Sheehan
Special Vocal Effects
Don Steele
Rockin' Ricky Rialto
Michael Winslow
Special Vocal Effects
Chuck Jones
Mr. Jones
Steven Spielberg
Man in Electric Wheelch...
Frank Welker
Special Vocal Effects
Peter Cullen
Special Vocal Effects
Kenny Davis
Dorry
Fred Newman
Special Vocal Effects
Arnie Moore
Pete's Father
Jim McKrell
Lew Landers

Critic Reviews for Gremlins

All Critics (44) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (12) | DVD (26)

The humans are little more than dress-extras for the mechanics.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment (1)

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

What's confusing yet ultimately illuminating is the way his gremlins function as a free-floating metaphor, suggesting at separate junctures everything from teenagers to blacks to various Freudian suppressions.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Dante is perhaps the first filmmaker since Frank Tashlin to base his style on the formal free-for-all of animated cartoons; he is also utterly heartless.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comments (5)

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

At the level of Serious Film Criticism, it's a meditation on the myths in our movies: Christmas, families, monsters, retail stores, movies, boogeymen. At the level of Pop Moviegoing, it's a sophisticated, witty B movie.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Gremlins is far more interested in showing off its knowledge of movie lore and making random jokes than in providing consistent entertainment.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment (1)

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

A blackly comic satire aimed squarely at its own audience, this 25th anniversary edition of Gremlins is an adequate presentation of a great film.

May 11, 2012 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

| Comment

Calum Marsh

Slant Magazine

It certainly displays a nasty streak, although that's not one of its problems.

May 8, 2012 Full Review Source: Creative Loafing

| Comment

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

A comic horror movie classic.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Randy White

Common Sense Media

A wholesome Christmas family flick that veers over to the dark side.

September 24, 2010 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

...what it really succeeds at best is becoming too cutesy. (Blu-ray Edition)

December 8, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment (1)

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

There's a mischievous playfulness about Gremlins, and that's its most endearing quality, but I found it grating on me early on and soon turning to mean-spiritedness.

December 8, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment (1)

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

See website for more details.

October 14, 2008 Full Review Source: Screen It!

| Comment (1)

Rory L. Aronsky

Screen It!

An unexpectedly successful skit on Spielberg/Disney movie culture -- that itself became something of a franchise.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Yes, Dante gleefully trashes cliches and sentimental Capra-esque notions, but one should not forget this movie was given a "PG" rating and cynically aimed to draw an audience of small children who would no doubt be terrorized by this myth-shattering film.

December 4, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comments (4)

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Taking a second look back at Joe Dante's career, I realize he was actually one of the most interesting American directors working.

August 14, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Dante gleefully sinks his teeth into the kind of fluffy, sugary, sickly small town fantasy beloved of his pal and sometime producer Spielberg.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Gleefully mischievous and full of dark, magical energy.

January 12, 2006 Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness

| Comment

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Gremlins

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Gremlins is another film by master director Joe Dante. The film blends Comedy and Horror very well and is a very creative film. What I love most about this film is it's originality, it had me laughing screaming, laughing and really I just had a great time watching this film. If you're looking for a great Horror Comedy,

August 13, 2010

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

Gremlins is a fun classic that will make you laugh out loud. Gremlins made a new image for the monster movie, although out-dated effects by modern standards, its still a really fun watch and will always be worth your time.

October 29, 2011

Directors Cat

Super Reviewer

Gremlins Quotes

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1. Gizmo: Ahh! Light bright! Light bright! Light bright!
– Submitted by Nathan J (4 months ago)
1. Rand Peltzer: So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz, or your washing machine blows up, or your video recorder conks out, before you call the repairman, turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell. There just might be a gremlin in your house.
– Submitted by Dann M (5 months ago)
1. Rand Peltzer: Rand Peltzer. Fantastic Ideas for a Fantastic World. I make the illogical logical.
– Submitted by Dann M (5 months ago)
1. Gizmo: Light bright. Light bright.
– Submitted by Dann M (5 months ago)
1. Kate: Say you hate Washington's Birthday or Thanksgiving and nobody cares, but say you hate Christmas and everybody makes you feel like you're a leper.
– Submitted by Dann M (5 months ago)

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Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try.
Yoda: No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.