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Gremlins
1984 106 min United States of America PG 18+
★7.5
Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Director: Joe Dante
Trailers
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Teaser
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Description
After receiving an exotic small animal as a Christmas gift, a young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet, which unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures on a small town.
Budget:
$11M
US Gross:
$153.64M
Worldwide:
$153.08M
Starring
Zach Galligan
Actor
Phoebe Cates
Actor
Hoyt Axton
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Original Score
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Horror Film
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Director
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Horror Film
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Director
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Visual Effects
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Supporting Actress
Saturn Awards 1985
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
Gremlins is widely regarded as a quintessential holiday horror-comedy that skillfully balances festive charm with dark, mischievous humor. While some viewers find the human characters underdeveloped or the plot conventions predictable, the film's iconic creature designs and nostalgic atmosphere ensure its status as a beloved seasonal tradition.
| Production | The practical creature effects and animatronic designs for Gizmo and the gremlins remain visually exquisite and highly effective decades later. | |
| Score | Jerry Goldsmith’s score masterfully enhances the film’s unique blend of festive cheer and eerie, ominous tension. | |
| Emotion | The film creates a distinct and memorable atmosphere by successfully fusing traditional Christmas warmth with savage black comedy and gothic horror elements. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the human performances and character writing are mixed; many find the protagonists forgettable or under-developed, while others feel the focus on the creatures makes such shortcomings irrelevant to the film's success. | |
| Originality | The narrative is viewed by some as an inventive and refreshing subversion of holiday tropes, whereas others criticize its reliance on standard genre conventions and a simplistic, predictable plot. |