Liverpool moviegoers keen on the next instalment of the beloved franchise will need to mark their calendars for a new date, as Warner Bros. has officially delayed the untitled third Gremlins film. The movie, which was originally set for release on November 19, 2027, will now arrive nearly a year later, on October 6, 2028.
The postponement comes as part of several release date adjustments made by Warner Bros., with the new slot chosen partly due to the studio’s previous success in early October with films like Joker, according to Deadline. David Zaslav, CEO and president of Warner Bros. Discovery, first publicly acknowledged the project in 2025.
New Release Date and Production Details
The highly anticipated third Gremlins feature is now scheduled to open on October 6, 2028. Chris Columbus, who penned the original 1984 Gremlins screenplay, is set to direct the upcoming film. The current draft of the script is being written by Hannah Marks, building upon an earlier screenplay by Columbus, Zach Lipovsky, and Adam B. Stein, as reported by Variety.
Steven Spielberg is returning as an executive producer, a role he also held for the original films. He is joined in executive production by Eleanor Columbus of Maiden Voyage. Producing the film are Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario for Amblin Entertainment, alongside Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe from 26th Street Pictures.
Context of the Delay
The adjustment to the Gremlins release date is one of several made by Warner Bros., though it is reportedly unrelated to any potential merger with Paramount. Alongside the Gremlins shift, the DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation feature Dynamic Duo, an animated film focusing on the early days of Robin characters Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, also saw its release date move from June 30, 2028, to September 22, 2028. Warner Bros. distribution believes this new slot will be favourable for a back-to-school animated feature, appealing to a broad audience from K-12 students to college-age viewers.
Legacy of the Gremlins Franchise
Joe Dante directed the original 1984 Gremlins, a horror-comedy that was a significant box office success, grossing $212 million worldwide against an $11 million budget. The film, which introduced the mysterious Mogwai and its strict rules, also played a notable role in the creation of the PG-13 film rating. The sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, followed in 1990 and has since garnered cult classic status, despite a lower box office performance of $41 million.
More recently, the animated series Secrets of the Mogwai, set to explore the origins of the creatures, has aired two seasons on HBO Max since 2023, further extending the franchise’s reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: When is the new release date for Gremlins 3?
A: The untitled third Gremlins film is now scheduled for release on October 6, 2028. - Q: Who is directing the new Gremlins film?
A: Chris Columbus, who wrote the original 1984 Gremlins, is set to direct the upcoming instalment. - Q: Is Steven Spielberg involved in the production?
A: Yes, Steven Spielberg is returning as an executive producer for the new Gremlins movie. - Q: What was the original planned release date?
A: The film was previously slated for release on November 19, 2027.
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