Nearly four decades after the cult success of Gremlins (1984) and its zany sequel Gremlins 2 (1990), Gremlins 3 returns to the big screen in 2024, delivering a fresh blend of dark holiday humor, satirical chaos, and practical effects homage. Directed with loving reverence—while also pushing boundaries—the film offers both nostalgia and new surprises.
Set in a small snowy town once again facing Mogwai mischief, the story centers on Mia Peltzer (newcomer Naomi Wu), a young robotics engineer who stumbles upon a dusty army surplus crate in her late grandfather’s cluttered workshop. Inside is a mysterious Mogwai egg adorned with unfamiliar red stripes—a signal that something bigger is coming. Mia unintentionally hatches Giz, a clever but unpredictable Mogwai whose genetic modifications spark a brand-new gremlin phenomenon.
True to the series, Gremlins 3 balances heart and horror. It pays homage to the 1980s originals with familiar aesthetics: shadowy practical puppets, striking Christmas lighting, and vintage synth-tinged scoring that nods to Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic themes. Yet the film embraces modern touches: social media-savvy gremlins, viral misbehavior captured on smartphones, and an environmental message layered beneath the carnage as Giz and his friends upset ecological balance in the town’s winter forest.
Rising stars like Naomi Wu and veteran character actor Devin Walker, playing an ex-Marine neighbor, create entertaining human chemistry. Their banter and mutual care help ground the chaos, making audience members root for them—not just for their survival, but to restore normalcy. The chemistry is reminiscent of Phoebe Cates and Zach Galligan’s charm in the original without feeling derivative.
On-screen mayhem delivers everything fans expect: gremlins causing domestic disasters, derailing holiday celebrations, and turning surveillance cameras into comedic traps. One standout scene features mechanized gremlins reprogramming robots in Mia’s workshop—a clear nod to Gremlins 2’s Big Apple mayhem. While some CGI is used, the movie leans heavily on practical effects—animatronics, puppetry, and wires—showcasing a real appreciation for tangible artistry.
Underneath laughs and gore is a sharp social satire: Gremlins 3 critiques tech obsession, environmental indifference, and the pitfalls of online spectacle culture. The evil Mogwai—dubbed “E-Kill-1”—becomes a viral mascot before users question how far they’ll go for clicks. The script cleverly weaves moments of genuine commentary without sacrificing the film’s comedic rhythm.
Some viewers may find pacing a tad uneven in the second act; the shift from personal drama to global greed becomes abrupt. A few gremlin designs feel jarringly digital compared to the original’s tactile textures—but these are minor quibbles.
Overall, Gremlins 3 is a triumphant return: funny, frightening, and thought-provoking. It captures the mischievous spirit of the originals while speaking to modern audiences. Whether you’re a longtime fan or heading into the theater for the first time, this sequel delivers screams, laughs, and holiday nostalgia—all wrapped up in a snowy, creature-ridden package that proves Mogwai mischief is evergreen.
