Gremlins 2: The New Batch

1990

Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Critics Consensus

Gremlins 2 trades the spiky thrills of its predecessor for looney satire, yielding a succession of sporadically clever gags that add some flavor to a recycled plot.

69%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 45

57%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 268,138
User image

Gremlins 2: The New Batch Photos

View All Photos (6)

Movie Info

Where the original Gremlins was a horror film spiked with comedy, Gremlins 2: The New Batch is essentially a black comedy, with a couple of horrifying touches. As the film starts, the fantastical trinket shop in Chinatown, which sold the Mogwai in the first film, is demolished by a crazed multi-media businessman called Daniel Clamp (John Glover). The heroes from the first movie, Billy (Zach Galligan) and Kate (Phoebe Cates), happen to work for Clamp in his huge high-rise. They find the Mogwai within Clamp's building, but not before he has accidentally spawned legions of mischievous, lizard-like Gremlins. Soon, the Gremlins are wreaking havoc throughout the building. In the original film, their misdeeds were violent, but here they're also goofy and satirical. Director Joe Dante has filled the film with quick verbal and visual jokes, which, for many, makes Gremlins 2: The New Batch a satire and inversion of the typical horror film. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Watch it now

Cast

Zach Galligan
as Billy Peltzer
Phoebe Cates
as Kate Beringer
John Glover
as Daniel Clamp
Robert Prosky
as Grandpa Fred
Robert Picardo
as Forster
Christopher Lee
as Dr. Catheter
Haviland Morris
as Marla Bloodstone
Dick Miller
as Murray Futterman
Jackie Joseph
as Sheila Futterman
Keye Luke
as Mr. Wing
Gedde Watanabe
as Katsuji
Kathleen Freeman
as Microwave Marge
Howie Mandel
as Gizmo
Don Stanton
as Martin
Tony Randall
as "Brain" Gremlin
Dan Stanton
as Lewis
Shawn Nelson
as Wally
Jeff Bergman
as Daffy Duck
Rick Ducommun
as Security Guard
John Capodice
as Fire Chief
Belinda Balaski
as Movie Theater Mom
Nicky Rose
as Movie Theater Kid
Paul Bartel
as Theater Manager
Kenneth Tobey
as Projectionist
Frank P. Ryan
as Cop
Diane Sainte-Marie
as TV Reporter at Wing's
Kristi Witker
as TV Anchor in Bar
Sarah Lilly
as Reporter in Lobby
Vladimir Bibic
as Taxi Driver
Raymond Cruz
as Messenger
Julia Sweeney
as Lab Receptionist
Jeff Swanson
as Forster's Assistant
Charlie Haas
as Casper
Dale Swann
as Surveillance Supervisor
Charles Haas
as Casper
Gray Daniels
as TV Cameraman
Stephanie Menuez
as Clamp's Secretary
Jacque Lynn Colton
as Lady at Elevator
Isiah Whitlock Jr.
as Fireman
Dean Norris
as Swat Team Leader
Saachiko
as Newsstand Lady
John Astin
as Janitor
Henry Gibson
as Fired Employee
Archie Hahn III
as Forster's Technician
Leslie Neale
as Forster's Technician
Ron Fassler
as Forster's Technician
Tim Winters
as Forster's Technician
Heather Haase
as Yogurt Jerk
Jason Presson
as Alex the Yogurt Jerk
Heidi Kempf
as TV Reporter
Lisa Mende
as Yogurt Customer
Patrika Darbo
as Yogurt Customer
Jerry Goldsmith
as Yogurt Customer
Frank Ryan
as Cop
Heidi Kemp
as TV Reporter
Eric Shawn
as TV Reporter
Michael Salort
as TV Reporter
Page Hannah
as Tour Guide #1
Liz Pryor
as Tour Guide #2
May Quigley
as Hallway Employee
Anthony Winters
as Hallway Employee
Leonard Maltin
as Himself
Hulk Hogan
as Himself
Dick Butkus
as Himself
Bubba Smith
as Himself
Kirk Thatcher
as Gremlins
Mark Dodson
as Gremlins
Neil Ross
as Announcer
Michael Sheehan
as Special Vocal Effects
View All

News & Interviews for Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Why Gremlins 2 Is an Essential Commentary on Contemporary Pop Culture
Summer 2015 TV Premiere Dates
"Goonies 2?" "Gremlins 3?" "Scooby-Doo 3???"
View All

Critic Reviews for Gremlins 2: The New Batch

All Critics (45) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (14)

  • Only a snob could resist such a generous level of lunacy.

    Feb 6, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Ansen

    Newsweek
    Top Critic

  • This uninhibited and uproarious monster bash, directed by Joe Dante, is more quick-witted and ironic than the original; it sets forth a savvy, slaphappy agenda before the opening credits and follows it straight through to the end, and even beyond.

    Nov 7, 2011

    Michael Sragow

    New Yorker
    Top Critic

  • An hilarious sequel featuring equal parts creature slapstick for the small fry and satirical barbs for adults.

    Mar 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • There's almost enough in-joke ingenuity to justify the total absence of plot.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Speaks to the gleeful hell-raising monster in each of us, and it speaks with much more verve, cleverness and good humor than the film on which it is based. Add this to the very short list of sequels that neatly surpass their predecessors.

    Aug 30, 2004

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • More enjoyable than the first film, offering audacious dark humour and a lot of knowing 'in-jokes'.

    Apr 17, 2001 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Almar Haflidason

    BBC.com
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (45)

Audience Reviews for Gremlins 2: The New Batch

  • Dec 06, 2017
    One of the worst sequels (and worst movies) ever made. This movie somehow has a 67% RT score? And movies like Mr. Wrong, which at least has some funny scenes, has a single-digit score. Leonard Maltin didn't like the first Gremlins, which is his right. But when they cast him in this turd and gave him a cameo, he gave this movie a BETTER review than the first. 3 out of 4 stars? No way. This movie has no plot, no point, and some of the oddest, most random creature-creations by Rick Baker imaginable. There is no reason these creatures are so wildly diverse and varied compared to the first movie. It's as if Joe Dante and gang didn't bother to explain WHY the creatures look like bats, spiders, slow-witted rednecks and others wear glasses and talk. Bizarre. Characters WHO DIED in Gremlins are back for this "sequel." A $50 million budget + unlimited creative control resulted in this piece of garbage. The studio deserved to lose 10 million at the box office. SO bad.
    Mark H Super Reviewer
  • Jul 31, 2013
    So freakin' stupid, and the movie knew it and tried to salvage itself by getting self-referential and ridiculous. The only really funny part was Kate starting her suicidally depressing Lincoln's Birthday story as a send-up to her most awful Christmas story in the prequel.
    Alice S Super Reviewer
  • Mar 28, 2013
    I never saw the need of adding some Mel Brooks recipe ingredients to this one, but it is undeniable that Gremlins 2: The New Batch was better than my expectations initially suggested, and there were some pretty interesting ideas added here and there, with the spider Gremlin being one positive highlight. It is just not the best representative sample of its kind (not even the original film). 62/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 04, 2013
    Amp the madness, the references, the effects, the unexpected segments and reduce the story, the characters, the message, Gizmo's presence. You're still left with a super funny and entertaining, lighter sequel to the original.
    Francisco G Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Gremlins 2: The New Batch Quotes

View All Quotes

News & Features