Fans Eagerly Wonder: What to Expect from the Upcoming Gremlins 3?

Gremlins 3 has officially received the green light, rekindling excitement among fans as key members of the original team return for this anticipated sequel. However, the announcement has sparked disappointment regarding a prominent absence from the production team.

The original Gremlins, released during the festive season of 1984, became a monumental success, raking in over $200 million globally with its darkly comedic narrative centered around mischievous monsters wreaking havoc in a small town. Following this success, a sequel, titled Gremlins 2: The New Batch, was released. While the sequel embraced a lighter, zany tone, it failed to resonate with audiences at the time, effectively stalling the franchise until now.

Fast forward to recent years, the Gremlins franchise has seen a resurgence thanks to a well-received animated series, culminating in the much-anticipated announcement of Gremlins 3. Fans are eager to see how this new installment will evolve the story.

The Absence of Joe Dante: Fans Express Concern

Gremlins stripe — Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.is leading the revival, with Steven Spielberg returning as executive producer under Amblin Entertainment. Additionally, Chris Columbus, the screenwriter behind the original film, will take on writing and directing duties, with a scheduled release date of November 19, 2027. However, the glaring omission of Joe Dante, the visionary director of both original films, has left many fans questioning the decision.

Social media is buzzing with inquiries and frustrations about Dante’s absence. One Twitter user lamented, “WHERE’S JOE DANTE?” while another simply asked, “What about Joe Dante?”

Joe Dante, director of the original Gremlins — Image sourced from YouTube: HBO Max

Responses from fans have echoed a mixture of excitement and disappointment. One Redditor expressed their conflicted feelings, stating: “Could be good. Could be great. But… what happened with Joe Dante? I’m a little bummed.” Others weighed in with possible insights, suggesting that Dante’s earlier hesitance to develop Gremlins 2 could explain his current absence, while some hope for his involvement in a more advisory capacity.

One staunch defender of Dante made a compelling argument, sharing, “If you’re eager for Gremlins 3 without Joe Dante directing, you contribute to studios endlessly recycling nostalgic 80s material.” This sentiment highlights ongoing debates about creative integrity and fan expectations in contemporary film productions.

Reflecting on previous discussions, Dante shared in October 2025 that the future of a third film ultimately lies with audiences, remarking, “It’s too big a property for someone not to make something.”

Concerns Over CGI in the New Sequel

‘GREMLINS 3’ is going ahead at Warner Bros.▪️Releasing November 19, 2027▪️Steven Spielberg returning as executive producer ▪️Chris Columbus returning as writer pic.twitter.com/nQkFh30sm1

— ScreenTime (@screentime) November 6, 2025

Another critical aspect of the upcoming sequel is the technical approach to bringing the Gremlins to life once more. Many fans have vocally expressed their desires for the filmmakers to utilize practical effects—like the iconic puppets of the earlier films—over modern CGI technology. A Twitter user passionately stated, “If they use CGI Gremlins, I’m out, ” reinforcing a widespread call for a return to traditional filmmaking approaches.

Voices across social platforms consistently echo this notion, with one user stating, “Gremlins was never dependent on CGI but thrived from practical effects, ” while another added, “Minimal CGI is a must. Practical effects with puppets are essential.”

As the anticipation for Gremlins 3 builds, fans remain hopeful for a sequel that honors the franchise’s roots while challenging the norms of contemporary filmmaking.

To discover more about the most beloved holiday films, check out our list of the best Christmas movies of all time.

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