Warner Bros. Pushes 'Gremlins 3' to Fall 2028
Warner Bros. has delayed the long-awaited third installment of the "Gremlins" franchise by nearly a full year, moving the film from its previously announced Nov. 19, 2027 release date to Oct. 6, 2028. The studio made the announcement Wednesday, also confirming a teaser has been released (though details remain under wraps). The film, directed by Chris Columbus—who wrote the 1984 original—has not yet begun production, with cameras now expected to roll in early 2027. The delay comes as Warner Bros. also shifted DC Studios' animated feature "Dynamic Duo" from June 30, 2028 to Sept. 22, 2028, a move that places it seven months after "The Batman: Part II," which opens in February 2028.
Production Timeline and Creative Team
"Gremlins 3" has been in various stages of development for years. Columbus, who originated the franchise by writing the first film, has long been attached to direct. The current screenplay is by Hannah Marks, working from an earlier draft by Columbus and the "Final Destination: Bloodlines" duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein. The film is produced by Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario for Amblin Entertainment, alongside 26th Street Pictures' Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan, and Mark Radcliffe. Steven Spielberg, who produced the original through Amblin, returns as executive producer, with Maiden Voyage's Eleanor Columbus also executive producing. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but Columbus has consistently said the film will use practical puppetry and animatronics rather than CGI. "I would still do it the same way – I would do it as tangible puppets, not CGI," Columbus told Collider in 2020. "We had one stop-motion scene in the first 'Gremlins,' but I don't think I'd use much CGI in 'Gremlins 3.'"
Why the Delay Matters
A Legacy Sequel in a Hot Market
The push to 2028 underscores the growing appetite for legacy sequels following the massive box office success of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," another decades-later follow-up. Studios are increasingly bullish on reviving beloved properties, and "Gremlins 3" fits squarely into that trend. However, the delay also highlights the logistical challenges of mounting a practical-effects-heavy production. With Columbus at the helm and Spielberg overseeing, the film carries significant pedigree but also high expectations. The original 1984 "Gremlins," directed by Joe Dante, was a dark comedy that became a cultural touchstone and even spurred the creation of the PG-13 rating due to its violent content. Its 1990 sequel, "Gremlins 2: The New Batch," directed by Dante, was a satirical spin on corporate culture that has since been reevaluated as a cult classic. Warner Bros. also launched an animated prequel series, "Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai," in 2023, which has aired two seasons on HBO Max.
Production Start Pushed to 2027
The delay likely stems from the fact that "Gremlins 3" has yet to begin production, which was recently pushed back to early 2027. That timeline makes a 2027 release unrealistic, especially for a film reliant on intricate puppetry and animatronics. The move to October 2028 gives the production ample time to perfect its practical effects—a hallmark of the franchise. Columbus, who became a blockbuster director with "Home Alone," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," has described the new installment as a direct sequel, not a reboot, and teased a "twisted and dark" script. An earlier draft involved Carl Ellsworth ("Disturbia," "Red Eye").
What This Means for the Franchise and Beyond
A Changing Release Calendar
The nearly year-long delay is part of a broader release-date shuffle at Warner Bros. The studio also moved "Dynamic Duo," an animated feature focusing on Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, from June 2028 to September 2028. That film, produced by DC Studios' James Gunn and Peter Safran with Matt Reeves' 6th & Idaho, uses a unique "Momo Animation" technique blending stop-motion puppetry, CGI, and live-action performance. The shifts suggest Warner Bros. is carefully spacing its tentpoles, particularly as it navigates an increasingly crowded theatrical landscape. For "Gremlins 3," the new date places it in a prime fall slot, though it will face competition from other high-profile releases.
Fan Anticipation and Industry Trends
For fans who have waited over 35 years for a third "Gremlins" film, the delay is disappointing but not surprising. The project has been rumored for years, with Columbus saying in 2020 that he'd already written a script and was eager to direct. The involvement of Spielberg and the commitment to practical effects have kept anticipation high. The success of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" demonstrated that audiences still crave nostalgic properties done right, and "Gremlins 3" could capitalize on that momentum. However, the long gap between films and the departure of original director Joe Dante (who is not returning) may temper expectations. Columbus's recent directorial output has been mixed, with hits like "The Thursday Murder Club" for Netflix but also misses like "Pixels" and "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief." Still, the franchise's blend of horror and comedy remains unique, and the decision to stick with puppetry could set it apart in an era dominated by CGI. As production gears up for early 2027, all eyes will be on whether Columbus and his team can recapture the magic that made the original a classic.
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