Gremlins 3 Production News
CURRENT ESTIMATED RELEASE DATE: November 19th, 2027
Gremlins 3 was officially announced on November 6, 2025, marking the long-awaited return of the series after more than three decades. From this point forward, we’ll be tracking every update—casting announcements, production developments, behind-the-scenes insights, and any surprises the creative team reveals—right up until its estimated release date of November 19, 2027. Consider this page your running chronicle of the next chaotic chapter in Gremlins history.
2026 - June 10th
Production Moved up to July 2026?
According to an updated listing from the Film & Television Industry Alliance (FTIA), Gremlins 3 is currently listed as being in pre-production with a tentative shoot date of July 2026 in the United States.
This appears to move the project slightly ahead of previous reports that suggested principal photography would begin in August 2026. While Warner Bros. and Amblin Entertainment have not officially announced a filming schedule, FTIA production listings are widely used within the film industry to track active projects and upcoming shoots.
As always, tentative production dates can shift as casting, locations, and other logistical elements are finalized. Still, if the July target holds, cameras could begin rolling within the next few weeks, making this the strongest indication yet that Gremlins 3 is moving steadily toward production.
2026 - APRIL 7th
Jenna Ortega in Talks for a Lead Role?
UPDATE: A representative for Ms Ortega says no offers have been extended. We'll be watching to see if this gets the wheels moving at all...
A new casting rumor has surfaced for Gremlins 3, suggesting that Jenna Ortega has been offered the film’s lead role and is currently in talks to star.
The report originates from industry insider Daniel Richtman (DanielRPK), who claims the long-awaited sequel may center around a female lead, with Ortega emerging as a top choice. At this stage, no additional details about the character or story direction have been revealed.
It’s important to note that this remains unconfirmed casting information. Neither Warner Bros. nor Amblin Entertainment have officially announced any cast members for the project, and major trade outlets have yet to report on the development.
Still, the idea of Ortega leading a new chapter in the Gremlins franchise is an intriguing one. Best known for her work in Wednesday, Scream, and Beetlejuice franchises, she would bring a modern darker edge to the series while continuing its tradition of blending horror and comedy.
2026 - February 21st
Tentative Filming Start Date
According to the FTIA (Film & Television Industry Alliance) listing, Gremlins 3 is currently in pre-production and is tentatively slated to begin principal photography on August 1, 2026 somewhere in the United States. The project remains in its early stages with a rough synopsis describing it as:
“A sequel to Gremlins (1984) about cute little creatures that transform into uncontrollable monsters.”
While official studio announcements on the shooting schedule haven’t been made yet, this tentative August start date gives us a first look at when cameras may start rolling ahead of the currently slated November 19, 2027 theatrical release.
2025 - November 17th
The Chris Columbus Gremlins 3 Script (2015–2025)
Long before the recent announcement of Gremlins 3, there was a significant history surrounding Chris Columbus’s long-gestating script—one that stretches back to at least 2017. Over the course of a decade, Columbus offered scattered but revealing updates about the tone, story direction, and practical approach he envisioned for the film. From describing the screenplay as “twisted and dark” to debating Gizmo’s fate and championing practical puppetry over CGI, his comments provide a fascinating look at the sequel that almost was—and may still influence what comes next. What remains to be seen is whether this script is the version that will reach theaters, or if it was ultimately set aside by Spielberg in favor of a completely different tone.
2015 — Wanting to Protect the Franchise
In 2015, Chris Columbus confirmed that a new Gremlins film was in development. He explained that he stayed personally involved to protect the tone and spirit of the original films, saying he wanted to make sure nothing “went off track” creatively. This period marked the beginning of serious discussions about what a modern Gremlins film should feel like.
2017 — Script Finished: “Twisted and Dark”
In 2017, Columbus revealed he had fully completed a script for Gremlins 3 and was “really proud” of it. He described the screenplay as “twisted and dark,” intentionally returning to the more ominous tone of the 1984 original.
He also teased a major story element:
The script directly explores whether Gizmo should be killed to prevent future gremlin outbreaks.
Columbus said the idea made logical sense because “too many people are dying,” implying the new film would confront the morality of keeping Gizmo alive.
On the filmmaking side, he insisted the movie would use practical puppet effects, not digital gremlins, saying he wanted “minimal CGI” aside from removing rods and wires. His goal was to replicate the tactile, handcrafted feel of the original films.
2018 — Leaning Toward a Reboot
In 2018, Columbus said that active development was ongoing at his production company. When asked about the direction, he stated that the new film would “almost definitely be a reboot.”
This marked a noticeable shift from his earlier comments about a direct sequel. The intention seemed to be restarting the franchise while preserving the aesthetic and rules fans loved.
2020 — Script Done, Awaiting Rights and Timing
By 2020, Columbus reiterated that there was a completed script for Gremlins 3. The primary holdup was described as rights negotiations and determining the correct timing for the project.
He reconfirmed his commitment to using puppets over CGI, stating that if he directed the movie today, he would still use tangible, practical gremlins and keep digital effects to a minimum.
2025 — Project Greenlit
In 2025, Gremlins 3 finally moved from years of development limbo into full-fledged production. The film was officially added to Warner Bros.’ release calendar for November 19, 2027, a date publicly confirmed by CEO David Zaslav during the studio’s quarterly investor call. After decades of speculation, rewrites, and shifting creative directions, the long-awaited sequel is at last on track—though whether it reflects Chris Columbus’s darker, practical-effects-driven script or an entirely new vision remains one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the project.
2025 - November 6th
Announcement Day!
On November 6, 2025, Gremlins 3 was officially unveiled by Warner Bros. Pictures with a planned release date of November 19, 2027. The film brings back original writer-turned-director Chris Columbus—who wrote the 1984 classic—as director and producer for this chapter. He co-writes the screenplay with the duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (best known for their work on Final Destination: Bloodlines). Executive producing is the legendary Steven Spielberg under his Amblin Entertainment banner, while the producing team features names such as Kristie Macosko Krieger, Holly Bario, Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe. The creative team promises to honor the mischievous heart of the franchise while assembling a fresh generation of mogwai-mayhem for audiences new and old alike. Read more at The Hollywood Reporter and Variety
