In the pantheon of classic 80s movies, few films have captured the imagination and sparked the creativity of audiences like “Gremlins.” Released in 1984, “Gremlins” combined horror, comedy, and a touch of holiday cheer to create a film that has endured for decades. But what went on behind the scenes to bring these mischievous creatures to life? Here is the oral history of ‘Gremlins’ told by those who were there.
Joe Dante (Director): When I was offered “Gremlins,” I was immediately intrigued by Chris Columbus’ script. It had this blend of humor and horror that was really unique. Plus, it was an opportunity to do something with puppetry that hadn’t been done before.
Chris Columbus (Screenwriter): I wrote “Gremlins” as a spec script, really just as a writing sample. I never thought it would actually get made. Spielberg read it and decided he wanted to produce it. That changed everything.
Steven Spielberg (Producer): What drew me to “Gremlins” was its originality. It wasn’t like anything else out there at the time. The combination of horror and comedy, along with this little town setting—it just worked for me. Joe Dante’s vision brought it all together in a way that was even better than I imagined.
Zach Galligan (Billy Peltzer): Getting cast in “Gremlins” was a turning point for me. I remember reading the script and thinking, “This is insane! How are they going to pull this off?” But once we started filming and I saw how talented the crew was, I knew it would be something special.
Phoebe Cates (Kate Beringer): The shoot was intense but a lot of fun. Working with the puppets was challenging because they could be unpredictable, but that added to the experience. Plus, Joe had such a specific vision which made us all feel part of something bigger.
Chris Walas (Creature Effects Designer): Designing the Gremlins and Gizmo was one of the most stimulating projects I’ve worked on. The goal was to create creatures that were both adorable and terrifying. Gizmo had to be lovable enough that you’d want one as a pet, while the Gremlins needed to be menacing enough to cause real trouble.
Jerry Goldsmith (Composer): Scoring “Gremlins” allowed me to experiment with different musical tones—scary, whimsical, even Christmas-like tunes thrown in there. The soundtrack needed to reflect the insane blend of genres that made up the film.
The production wasn’t without its challenges—particularly when it came to special effects—but everyone involved shared a sense of excitement about making something truly unique.
Joe Dante: We had more than our fair share of issues with the Gremlin puppets breaking down or not working quite right on set. But our effects team did an incredible job keeping everything on track. Looking back now, those challenges contributed to the film’s charm.
Despite its blend of terrifying creatures and dark comedy set against a Christmas backdrop, “Gremlins” turned out to be more than just another horror movie or holiday film; it became a cultural phenomenon—inspiring countless imitations and earning its place as one of cinema’s standout pieces from the 80s era.
Today, “Gremlins” stands as a testament to innovative filmmaking and effective storytelling—a film that entertains even as it leaves you wary about what might happen if you break the rules around those seemingly cute little creatures called Mogwai.
