Harry Potter Director's '80s Cult Classic Is Officially a Streaming Hit Again on HBO Max

2 weeks ago 32

Image via HBO

Published Oct 28, 2026, 8:40 PM EDT

Erielle Sudario is a Collider News and Feature Author from Australia and has worked in the journalism industry since 2018. She has a passion for entertainment and pop culture news and has interviewed YouTubers, voice actors, film directors, and musicians throughout her career. When she's not writing, you can see Erielle building keyboards, reading a good book, playing video games, and creating content on social media.

One of the biggest cult classic films of the '80s has resurfaced on the streaming charts decades after its debut. The movie grossed over $212.9 million worldwide, and its success spawned a franchise featuring a sequel, animated spin-offs, and a third film on the way. As fans await the next installment, they're revisiting where it all began.

The film in question is Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante, who also worked on Hawaii Five-0 and DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and written by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, who later worked on the Harry Potter films. The movie follows Billy (Zach Galligan), who receives a cute, furry creature called a Mogwai for Christmas and names it Gizmo from a man named Sam Wing (Keye Luke). However, Billy must follow three important rules when caring for his new pet. When these rules are broken, chaos ensues as reptilian creatures known as Gremlins emerge and wreak havoc.

Recently, Gremlins landed on HBO Max's worldwide Top 10 movie chart, reaching No. 3, between Evil Dead Burn and Secret Window. The film has enjoyed lasting success since its 1984 release. In addition to its box office performance, it received widespread critical praise and currently holds an 86% critics score and a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its success also led to a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which received mixed reactions from audiences. The franchise later expanded with an animated prequel series, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, set years before the original film. It follows Gizmo's original owner, a 10-year-old Sam Wing (Izaac Wang), as he embarks on adventures with the creature and his friends.

What Do We Know About the Next 'Gremlins' Movie?

Since the release of Gremlins 2: The New Batch in 1990, there have been discussions about a third movie, including whether it would continue the franchise or reboot it. However, it wasn't until 2025 that a third Gremlins film was officially announced, with Columbus attached to write and direct. While plot details remain unrevealed, Columbus has said the Gremlins in the upcoming feature will not be created with CGI. The project has also undergone a release date change since its announcement. Originally scheduled for 2027, the third installment is now slated to arrive in theaters on October 6, 2028. As of now, no cast members have been officially announced, and the only names attached are Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, listed as screenwriters.

Gremlins is available to stream on HBO Max. Follow Collider for more updates.