Warner Bros. has delayed the release of the upcoming Gremlins film, now scheduled to premiere on October 6, 2028. The untitled third instalment was originally set for November 19, 2027.
New Release Date for Gremlins 3
The much-anticipated next chapter in the Gremlins franchise will now arrive in cinemas nearly a year later than planned. Warner Bros. announced the shift for the Chris Columbus-directed feature, moving it from its original November 19, 2027, slot to October 6, 2028. According to Deadline, Warner Bros. distribution sees the early October weekend as a favourable slot, having had previous success with Joker in the same period. The move also ensures the film avoids direct competition with other major studio releases on its new date.
Behind the Scenes: Creative Team
Chris Columbus, who wrote the original 1984 Gremlins, is set to direct the new film. The script is currently being penned by Hannah Marks, working from an earlier draft co-written by Columbus, Zach Lipovsky, and Adam B. Stein. Steven Spielberg is returning as an executive producer for the project, alongside Eleanor Columbus from Maiden Voyage. Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario are producing for Amblin Entertainment, with Columbus, Michael Barnathan, and Mark Radcliffe producing via 26th Street Pictures. Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. Pictures’ president of development and production, previously stated, “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,” as reported by Variety.
Franchise History and Impact
The original Gremlins film, directed by Joe Dante and released in 1984, was a horror-comedy that followed a young boy, Billy, and his new mysterious pet, a Mogwai. Its immense popularity, grossing $212 million worldwide against an $11 million budget, was so significant it played a role in the creation of the PG-13 film rating. A sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, also directed by Dante, followed in 1990, becoming a cult classic despite grossing only $41 million. More recently, the animated series Secrets of the Mogwai has aired two seasons on HBO Max since 2023.
Wider Warner Bros. Schedule Changes
The delay of the Gremlins film is part of broader adjustments to Warner Bros.’ release calendar. The studio also shifted the animated feature Dynamic Duo, which focuses on Dick Grayson and Jason Todd (the Robins from DC Comics), from June 30, 2028, to September 22, 2028. This move aims to position Dynamic Duo in a “back-to-school” slot believed to appeal to a wide audience from K-12 students to college-age viewers, potentially tapping into the “Spider-Verse crowd.” It also strategically moved it away from Paramount’s Call of Duty feature on its original date.
