Gen X's favorite mischievous little monsters are making their long-awaited return to the big screen. Warner Bros. has officially announced "Gremlins 3", the first live-action installment in the beloved franchise in nearly three decades.
The news was revealed by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav during the company's third-quarter earnings call, marking a major revival for one of the studio's most iconic properties. The film is set to hit theaters on November 19, 2027.
Original "Gremlins" screenwriter Chris Columbus will direct and produce the film, with Steven Spielberg returning as executive producer. Columbus also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein. Toby Halbrooks and Carl Ellsworth penned previous drafts, though final writing credits have yet to be confirmed. In addition to Columbus, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario are producing for Amblin Entertainment, joined by Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe under Columbus' 26th Street Pictures banner.
"The original Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante, became a pop-culture phenomenon upon its release in 1984," Warner Bros. said in a statement. The film grossed over $165 million worldwide and spawned a loyal following that has endured for decades. Its 1990 sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, fared modestly at the box office-earning $41 million-but has since become a cult classic celebrated for its meta humor and chaotic charm.
The "Gremlins" franchise has continued to thrive through merchandise, comic books, and the animated prequel series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, whose second season wrapped on Max earlier this year.
"Few titles are as beloved and iconic as Gremlins, and we're beyond excited to bring it back for both lifelong fans and a whole new generation. It's a privilege to be working alongside Steven, Chris, and the entire creative team, and we look forward to audiences experiencing the next installment of the magic, mayhem, and heart of Gremlins on the big screen in 2027," said Jesse Ehrman, President of Development and Production at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Zaslav added, "The studio is now where creatives want to be. It has taken time and investment, and the process has not been without setbacks… but Warner Bros. Discovery is back and stronger than ever."
The earnings call also touched on Warner Bros. Discovery's broader future, as the company has reportedly received multiple acquisition offers-including three firm buyout proposals from Paramount Skydance. Regardless of whether the studio is sold, split, or restructured, Zaslav affirmed that the century-old Warner Bros. movie division remains a cornerstone of the company's strategy.
Tags: gremlins, warner bros., chris columbus, steven spielberg