Warner Bros. has pushed “Gremlins 3” out of 2027, moving the project from its previously announced Nov. 19, 2027, release date to Oct. 6, 2028.
The delay extends the wait for a new installment whose key creative team has already been assembled. David Zaslav, CEO and president of Warner Bros. Discovery, first revealed the project during an investor call in 2025.
Steven Spielberg is returning as an executive producer, joined by Maiden Voyage’s Eleanor Columbus. Chris Columbus, identified at the time of the announcement as the filmmaker behind “Harry Potter,” will produce and direct.
Hannah Marks is writing the screenplay, working from an original draft by Columbus, Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein. Amblin Entertainment’s Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario are also producing, alongside Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe of 26th Street Pictures.
Despite the new release date and the extensive lineup behind the camera, several major pieces of the project remain under wraps. Warner Bros. has not disclosed the movie’s official title, plot or cast.
A Long-Awaited Return for “Gremlins”
The new film follows a theatrical series that began with Joe Dante’s original “Gremlins” in 1984. The horror comedy centered on Billy, a young boy who receives a mysterious, furry creature known as a Mogwai.
Billy quickly bonds with his unusual new pet, but caring for the creature comes with two firm instructions: The Mogwai must never get wet, and it must never be fed after midnight. Both rules are ultimately broken, allowing the gremlin to multiply and unleash chaos across Billy’s small town during the holiday season.
The 1984 movie also played a role in the creation of the PG-13 film rating. It became a major box office success, earning $212 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $11 million.
A sequel, “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” arrived in 1990. Its theatrical run ended with $41 million, far below the first movie’s worldwide total, though the follow-up later came to be regarded as a cult classic.
When “Gremlins 3” was announced, Warner Bros. Pictures president of development and production Jesse Ehrman emphasized the studio’s plans to reach both established followers and viewers encountering the property for the first time.
“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,” Ehrman said at the time. “It’s a privilege to be working alongside Steven [Spielberg], Chris [Columbus], 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.”
That original statement reflected the project’s earlier release plans. With Warner Bros. now shifting the movie into 2028, audiences will have to wait longer than first expected to see the next chapter.
What Happens Next?
“Gremlins 3” is currently set for Oct. 6, 2028. The next major details are likely to center on the movie’s official title, story and cast, all of which remain undisclosed.