Warner Bros. Targeting November 2027 Release for Gremlins 3, Enlists Final Destination: Bloodlines Writers

Earlier this year, word surfaced that Warner Bros. Pictures was developing a new installment of the Gremlins film franchise, with a new sequel. The Hollywood Reporter has the latest on the planned Gremlins 3, which looks to be gearing up for a November 19, 2027, release date, per a studio announcement at today’s earnings call.

Based on the latest report, Final Destination: Bloodlines writers Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein have been tapped to write the script for the upcoming sequel. They are said to be teaming with franchise co-creator Chris Columbus to write the upcoming sequel. Columbus wrote the original 1984 feature.

THR notes that the feature project is moving “full steam ahead” at WBD. Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario of Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment banner are producing the project, along with Columbus, Michael Barnathan, and Mark Radcliffe under their 26th Street Pictures. Franchise veteran Steven Spielberg will return to executive produce the project.

Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario of Amblin Entertainment are producing the project, as are Columbus, Michael Barnathan, and Mark Radcliffe via their banner, 26th Street Pictures. Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce.

THR notes that Lipovsky and Stein are working with Columbus as a writing team for the new feature, with Columbus reportedly attached to direct the upcoming installment. Joe Dante directed the first two installments. Columbus has been developing a third movie for the franchise since as early as 2017, with previous drafts penned by Toby Halbrooks and Carl Ellsworth.

Speaking to THR on the franchise revival, Columbus commented on Gremlins 3, stating, “I’m filled with a tremendous surge of inspiration and passion as I embark on this cinematic journey. It’s an honor to reunite with Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros., as we bring this latest chapter of Gremlins to a brand new generation of moviegoers who will experience all of the thrills of this grand adventure on the big screen.”

The original Gremlins was a breakout hit for Warner Bros., grossing $153 million domestically. The film’s 1990 sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, was not as well received in theaters, grossing only $41 million domestically off a reported $50 million budget. Taking a more comedic and meta approach with the storyline, Gremlins 2 has still endured in popularity and maintained a more cult-like fan following.

However, the Gremlins and Mogwai saw a revival of sorts in 2023 with the new prequel animated series, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, which revealed the origins of the creatures. Its second season, Gremlins: The Wild Batch, debuted on HBO Max earlier this year.

It’s unknown if any of the original Gremlins stars, such as Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer and Phoebe Cates as Kate Beringer, will be returning for Gremlins 3, along with Howie Mandel, who voiced Gizmo in the first two movies. A.J. LoCascio voiced Gizmo in the recent animated series.

Galligan and Mandel did return, reprising their respective roles, for a 2021 Super Bowl ad for Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, where Gizmo drinks the beverage and stars immediately, spawning new Mogwai. The clip also revealed that Billy has a teenage daughter, who has her own Mogwai who resembles a pre-transformation Stripe from the original film.