Gremlins Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy gets a Furby that multiplies when wet and turns evil when it’s hungry, so he has to fight them with his girlfriend while his dad invents useless junk.

🍿 Gremlins: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Christmas Gift Gone Wrong

Randall Peltzer, an inventor, buys his son Billy an unusual Christmas gift from a mysterious shop in Chinatown: a Mogwai. The shopkeeper’s grandson warns of three crucial rules: avoid bright light, water, and feeding after midnight. These rules are essential to maintaining the creature’s peaceful nature. Billy, eager to have a unique pet, names the Mogwai Gizmo.

Breaking the Rules

Accidents happen. Pete, Billy’s friend, spills water on Gizmo, causing him to multiply and produce several new Mogwai. These new creatures, led by the mohawked Stripe, are mischievous and aggressive, unlike the gentle Gizmo. They trick Billy into feeding them after midnight, leading to a terrifying transformation. The once-cute Mogwai turn into scaly, destructive Gremlins.

Mayhem in Kingston Falls

The Gremlins wreak havoc on the small town of Kingston Falls, turning Christmas Eve into a night of chaos and destruction. They sabotage the town’s infrastructure, terrorize residents, and generally create mayhem. Billy and his girlfriend, Kate, must find a way to stop the Gremlins before they completely destroy their town.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan): A mild-mannered bank teller who inadvertently unleashes chaos upon his town after receiving a mysterious creature as a pet.
• Gizmo (Howie Mandel (voice)): The sweet and gentle Mogwai whose accidental wetting leads to the creation of the mischievous Gremlins.
• Stripe (Frank Welker (voice)): The aggressive leader of the Gremlins who terrorizes Kingston Falls.
• Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates): Billy’s coworker and girlfriend, who assists him in fighting the Gremlins while harboring a tragic Christmas story.
• Randall Peltzer (Hoyt Axton): Billy’s well-meaning but inept inventor father whose gift of a Mogwai sets the events of the film in motion.
• Mr. Wing (Keye Luke): The wise and discerning owner of the antique shop who initially refuses to sell Gizmo, understanding the great responsibility it entails.
• Mrs. Deagle (Polly Holliday): The mean-spirited and wealthy woman who embodies the darker side of Kingston Falls and becomes a victim of the Gremlins.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Billy: “Don’t get him wet, keep him out of bright light, and never feed him after midnight.” – The three crucial rules for Mogwai care, setting the stage for chaos when broken.
• Kate: “That’s how I found out there was no Santa Claus.” – Concluding her dark and morbid Christmas story about her father’s accidental death.
• Mr. Futterman: “Damn foreign cars!” – Expressing his xenophobia and distrust of foreign-made products.
• Gizmo: “Bright light! Bright light!” – Gizmo frantically warns of the danger as Stripe approaches sunlight.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $153,642,180
• Worldwide Gross: $165,434,642

💥 Gremlins Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Gremlins’ is just pure 80s magic. I remember watching this as a kid and being both terrified and completely captivated. The scene in the kitchen where Billy’s mom is battling the gremlins is iconic! And the whole town being overrun by these mischievous little monsters is hilarious and scary at the same time. I love it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy creature features.”
  • “Those looking for a non-traditional Christmas movie.”
  • “People who appreciate 80s nostalgia.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild horror violence.”
  • “Some disturbing images.”
  • “Suggestive humor.”
  • “Scenes of peril.”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Gremlins perfectly balances horror and comedy, creating a unique and unforgettable movie experience. Dante’s direction is masterful, and the creature effects are impressive even by today’s standards. A true 80s classic.
• Variety: “A gleefully chaotic monster movie with a dark sense of humor. The film’s playful tone and impressive special effects made it a box-office hit, although the violence caused some controversy. Joe Dante successfully mixes comedy and horror elements to create a unique viewing experience. It’s a wild ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its inventive mayhem.

Audience Reactions

The kitchen scene is legendary!: The blend of horror and comedy is what makes this movie so memorable.

Gizmo is the cutest movie creature ever!: The practical effects and creature design still hold up remarkably well.

Overall Consensus: A beloved 80s classic that blends horror and comedy to create a unique and entertaining movie experience.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Horror Film)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Kingston Falls town square is the same set used for Hill Valley in ‘Back to the Future’.”
• “The film’s violence and dark tone led to the creation of the PG-13 rating.”
• “The original script was much darker, featuring the gremlins eating Billy’s dog and beheading his mother.”
• “Howie Mandel, who voiced Gizmo, was uncredited for his role in the first movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Gremlins?

Gremlins is widely available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for TV airings, especially around the holiday season. Unfortunately, it is not available on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Gremlins, you might like these similar films:

• Critters (1986): Similar creature-feature premise with small, destructive monsters terrorizing a small town.
• Ghoulies (1984): Another creature feature from the same era, with demonic entities causing mayhem.
• Tremors (1990): A small town battles subterranean monsters, blending horror and comedy.
• Attack the Block (2011): A group of London teens defend their block from alien invaders, showcasing British humor with monster mayhem.

🛒 Gremlins Related Products

• Gremlins: Ultimate Stripe Action Figure: A highly detailed and articulated action figure of Stripe, the leader of the Gremlins, complete with accessories from the movie. A perfect addition to any collector’s shelf.
• Gremlins: Gizmo Plush Toy: Officially licensed Gizmo plush. This adorable plush toy is a must-have for fans of all ages. Soft and cuddly, this collectible will bring joy and nostalgia to any fan. Makes the perfect gift.
• Gremlins Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original Gremlins movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying in a home theater or bedroom. Printed with vibrant colors.
• Gremlins: Christmas Mayhem Board Game: A cooperative board game where players work together to protect Kingston Falls from the Gremlins. Features familiar locations and characters from the movie. A fun and engaging game.

🎧 Soundtrack

Gremlins features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gremlins Rag” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – performed by Darlene Love

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With Gremlins In Roughly 8 Minutes Or So

Curious about why Gremlins became such a beloved holiday classic? Join CinemaSins for a hilarious and insightful analysis that’ll make you chuckle and appreciate the movie even more.

The EVOLUTION of Gremlins / Every Gremlin Explained (ANIMATED)

Prepare to be amazed as this cleverly animated video takes you on a journey through the evolution of Gremlins, unveiling the origins and unique traits of each mischievous creature.

The Art of GREMLINS: How Comedy & Horror Work Together

Curious about how Gremlins manages to be both terrifying and hilarious? Join Ryan Hollinger for an insightful analysis that explores the movie’s masterful use of contrasting genres.

Exploring the Greatest Christmas Horror Movie

Celebrate the holiday season with a fresh perspective on Gremlins. Ryan Hollinger makes a convincing case for why it’s not just a horror movie, but the ultimate Christmas horror masterpiece.

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