Gremlins 3 Delayed Nearly a Year, Warner Bros Sets October 6, 2028 Release

Warner Bros. has officially moved the release date of Gremlins 3 from November 19, 2027 to October 6, 2028, delaying the release by nearly a year. The decision was announced through a short 10-second teaser featuring Gizmo, the iconic character from the original series, with the caption '10.6.28. Only In Theaters.'

The delay is a blow to fans who have long awaited the continuation of the Mogwai story. Since it was announced last November, the project has been one of Warner Bros.' priorities, involving big names such as Steven Spielberg, who returns as executive producer. However, there is still no official information about the plot or the cast involved.

Chris Columbus, screenwriter of the original Gremlins and director of the Harry Potter films, is set to direct and produce this third installment. He will work with Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein as co-writers. On the production side, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario of Amblin Entertainment will join Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe of 26th Street Pictures.

The Gremlins franchise first appeared in 1984 through the film directed by Joe Dante. Its story centers on Billy Peltzer, a teenager who receives a strange creature named Mogwai as a pet. When three strict rules are broken—no bright light, no water, and no feeding after midnight—chaos erupts in his small town at Christmas. The film was not only a commercial success but also changed the industry landscape by pushing for the establishment of the PG-13 rating in the United States.

Its sequel released in 1990, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, was not as big as its predecessor in terms of revenue, collecting only $41 million. Nevertheless, the film later gained cult status among fans. Now, after nearly four decades, Gremlins 3 will be the first live-action entry in the series since 1990.

"Few titles are as beloved and iconic as Gremlins, and we are thrilled to bring it back for longtime fans and a new generation," said Jesse Ehrman, President of Development and Production at Warner Bros. Pictures. "It is an honor to work with Steven, Chris, and the entire creative team, and we look forward to audiences experiencing the wonder, chaos, and heart of Gremlins on the big screen."

The delay is not without reason. Warner Bros. is rearranging its release portfolio amid uncertainty in the global entertainment industry. The prolonged pandemic and changing audience behavior have made major studios increasingly cautious in setting release dates. The decision to delay Gremlins 3 may be part of a strategy to avoid clashing with other big titles also scheduled for 2027.

For the Indonesian market, the delay certainly affects the enthusiasm of fans of classic films. Gremlins has a loyal fan base in the country, especially Generation X and millennials who grew up with the original film. Nevertheless, with Indonesia's growing film market and increasing number of cinema screens, Warner Bros. will likely still release the film globally, including in Indonesia, on the same date. However, the delay also gives room for local films to compete in the slot that Gremlins 3 would have occupied.

Going forward, the question is whether the delay will be followed by cast announcements or more concrete story details. So far, Warner Bros. remains silent on who will play Billy Peltzer or whether Gizmo will return as a main character. What is clear is that fans will have to wait even longer to see the Gremlins' chaos on the big screen.