Warner Bros. officially confirmed Gremlins 3 during its Q3 earnings call, marking the first live-action entry in the franchise in nearly 30 years. Steven Spielberg is back as executive producer, and original screenwriter Chris Columbus will direct. The movie hits theaters on November 19, 2027.
Spielberg and Columbus Reunite for the Franchise
Zaslav revealed Gremlins 3 as part of Warner Bros.’ push to remind Wall Street that the studio is still a major theatrical force. Columbus, who wrote the 1984 classic, will direct and produce. Spielberg returns through Amblin Entertainment, backing the new movie the same way he backed the original run.
The script comes from Columbus, and Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein (the duo behind Final Destination: Bloodlines). Toby Halbrooks and Carl Ellsworth handled a prior draft, though writing credits aren’t final.
Producers include Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario for Amblin, plus Columbus, Michael Barnathan, and Mark Radcliffe for 26th Street Pictures.
First Live-Action Installment Since 1990
The 1984 Gremlins became a pop-culture monster, earning $165 million worldwide on an $11 million budget. The 1990 sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, took a completely different approach as a satire of the original and only made $41 million. It later became a cult favorite praised by fans, filmmakers, and Quentin Tarantino.
Warner Bros. tested interest with the Max animated prequel Secrets of the Mogwai, which recently wrapped its second season. With the response steady, WB decided the franchise was ready to return to theaters.
Zaslav Uses the Announcement to Sell the “Revived WB” Narrative
Zaslav positioned Gremlins 3 as a proof point that Warner Bros. is back on track. He pitched the studio as “where creatives want to be” again after a run of instability and shifting leadership. He also noted that this year WB sits at No. 1 at both the domestic and global box office — even though the studio has no more releases left in 2025.
But behind the scenes, WB faces major changes. The company has been fielding acquisition interest and three firm buyout offers from Paramount Skydance. Whether WBD sells outright or splits into two companies, WB will soon operate under new corporate ownership again — its fourth in ten years.
What the New Movie Means for the Franchise
The new film will be the first Gremlins feature in 37 years. Spielberg and Columbus returning signals a clean return to the franchise’s original tone instead of the parody approach of Gremlins 2. With Columbus directing for the first time, fans should expect something closer to the dark comedy and creature-feature energy that made Mogwai a global hit.
Warner Bros. says the goal is to reintroduce Gremlins to longtime fans and a new generation as the studio tries to stock its slate with stronger theatrical brands.
