Gremlins is a 1984 American comedy horror film directed by Joe Dante. The plot follows a young man named Billy Peltzer who receives a mysterious creature called a mogwai as a pet, which then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive, evil monsters known as Gremlins. The film is a mix of black comedy and horror, as it explores the disastrous consequences of mishandling the mogwai, and the ensuing chaos caused by the Gremlins.

The film's concept was developed by Chris Columbus, who wrote the screenplay. It was produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. Gremlins was a commercial success upon its release, grossing over $212 million worldwide against a budget of $11 million. It received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its blend of humor and horror, as well as the creature designs and visual effects.

Despite the film's success, it also generated controversy due to its violent content, which led to the creation of the PG-13 rating in the United States. The film's popularity spawned a merchandising franchise, including toys, clothing, and video games. It also spawned a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which was released in 1990. A third film has been in development for several years, with Dante expressing interest in returning to direct, but as of 2021, no official confirmation has been made regarding its production.

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