Gremlins
Updated: 12/30/2025, 12:45:06 PM Wikipedia source
Gremlins is a 1984 American black comedy horror film directed by Joe Dante, written by Chris Columbus and starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday and Frances Lee McCain, with Howie Mandel providing the voice of Gizmo the Mogwai. It draws on legends of folkloric mischievous creatures that cause malfunctions—"gremlins"—in the British Royal Air Force going back to World War II. The story follows Billy Peltzer, who receives Gizmo as a pet, who then spawns more of his kind that evolve into the titular imp-like monsters that wreak havoc on Billy's hometown during Christmas Eve. The film was accompanied by a large merchandising campaign and juxtaposes black comedy with a Christmastime setting. Steven Spielberg was the executive producer, with the film being produced by Michael Finnell. Gremlins was theatrically released on June 8, 1984, by Warner Bros. to critical and commercial success. However, it was heavily criticized for some of its more violent sequences. In response to this and to similar complaints about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Spielberg suggested that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) alter its rating system, which it did within two months of the film's release, creating a new PG-13 rating. It was followed by a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), while a third film is set to be released in November 2027.
Infobox
Directed by
Joe Dante
Written by
Chris Columbus
Produced by
Michael Finnell
Starring
mw- Zach Galligan Phoebe Cates Hoyt Axton Polly Holliday Frances Lee McCain
Cinematography
John Hora
Edited by
Tina Hirsch
Music by
Jerry Goldsmith
Productioncompanies
Warner Bros. Amblin Entertainment
Distributed by
Warner Bros.
Release date
June 8, 1984 (1984-06-08)
Running time
106 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$11 million
Box office
$212.9 million
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
Goldene Leinwand
Goldene Leinwand
Award
Goldene Leinwand
Date of ceremony
March 27, 1985
Category
Goldene Leinwand
Recipient(s)
Joe Dante
Result
Won
Saturn Awards
Saturn Awards
Award
Saturn Awards
Date of ceremony
June 9, 1985
Category
Best Horror Film
Result
Won
Best Director
Best Director
Award
Best Director
Date of ceremony
Joe Dante
Category
Won
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Award
Best Supporting Actor
Date of ceremony
Dick Miller
Category
Nominated
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Award
Best Supporting Actress
Date of ceremony
Polly Holliday
Category
Won
Best Younger Actor
Best Younger Actor
Award
Best Younger Actor
Date of ceremony
Corey Feldman
Category
Nominated
Best Writing
Best Writing
Award
Best Writing
Date of ceremony
Chris Columbus
Category
Nominated
Best Music
Best Music
Award
Best Music
Date of ceremony
Jerry Goldsmith
Category
Won
Best Special Effects
Best Special Effects
Award
Best Special Effects
Date of ceremony
Chris Walas
Category
Won
Best Make-Up
Best Make-Up
Award
Best Make-Up
Date of ceremony
Greg LaCava
Category
Nominated
Young Artist Awards
Young Artist Awards
Award
Young Artist Awards
Date of ceremony
December 2, 1984
Category
Best Family Motion Picture – Adventure
Result
Won
Best Young Supporting Actor
Best Young Supporting Actor
Award
Best Young Supporting Actor
Date of ceremony
Corey Feldman
Category
Nominated
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
| Goldene Leinwand | March 27, 1985 | Goldene Leinwand | Joe Dante | Won | |
| Saturn Awards | June 9, 1985 | Best Horror Film | Won | ||
| Best Director | Joe Dante | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Dick Miller | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Polly Holliday | Won | |||
| Best Younger Actor | Corey Feldman | Nominated | |||
| Best Writing | Chris Columbus | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Jerry Goldsmith | Won | |||
| Best Special Effects | Chris Walas | Won | |||
| Best Make-Up | Greg LaCava | Nominated | |||
| Young Artist Awards | December 2, 1984 | Best Family Motion Picture – Adventure | Won | ||
| Best Young Supporting Actor | Corey Feldman | Nominated |
References
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