There are few filmmakers who can wow audiences of all ages quite like Spielberg, with movies like “E.T.” and “Jurassic Park” on his resume, among many, many others. His sensibilities and that classic Amblin vibe permeate “Gremlins” in a wonderful way. That whole “boy and a dog” thing between Gizmo and Zach Galligan’s Billy is truly what helps make the movie what it is. For as ugly as Spike and the other Gremlins are after things go south, we always have the adorable Gizmo to lean on to bring things back to cute AF. Balance.
Had Gizmo merely turned into Spike, it would have altered the entire dynamic of the movie. That’s not to say it would have been bad, and it kind of would have made sense for Dante at the time. He was coming off of movies like “Piranha” and “The Howling” earlier in his career — more straight-up horror efforts. But his sensibilities, combined with the likes of Spielberg and Columbus putting their best foot forward, made movie magic.
“Gremlins” earned more than $150 million at the box office against a comparatively tiny $11 million production budget. That may pale in comparison to what the movie has generated between cable, home video, and merchandise in the years since its release. Heck, we even have a new animated series on the way in the form of “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.” Does it become a hit without toning down the gruesome nature of that original script? Maybe not.