Gremlins 3 Delayed to October 2028 as Warner Bros. Unveils First Teaser
BURBANK, Calif. — Sept. 23, 2026 — Warner Bros. delayed “Gremlins 3” nearly a year, from Nov. 19, 2027, to Oct. 6, 2028, while releasing the franchise’s first teaser featuring a returning practical-effects Mogwai puppet.
TL;DR
- New release date: Oct. 6, 2028, pushed back from Nov. 19, 2027.
- Chris Columbus, writer of the 1984 original, directs and produces the sequel.
- Script is co-written by Columbus, Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein; Steven Spielberg executive produces via Amblin Entertainment.
- The teaser shows a practical-effects Mogwai puppet — Gizmo’s first big-screen appearance since 1990.
The delay pushes “Gremlins” out of its traditional holiday-season slot and into an October window, a scheduling shift that signals Warner Bros. is prioritizing production polish over a fast turnaround for one of its most nostalgia-driven franchises. For fans, the wait is now tempered by proof the studio is leaning on hands-on puppetry rather than digital effects, a choice that has already shaped early reaction to the footage.
“Few titles are as beloved and iconic as ‘Gremlins,’ and we’re beyond excited to bring it back for both lifelong fans and a whole new generation,” said Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. Pictures’ president of development and production.
A Nearly Year-Long Delay Explained
Warner Bros. announced the new Oct. 6, 2028, release date on Wednesday. The film had been locked for Nov. 19, 2027, since the project was greenlit in late 2025.
No official reason was given for the shift. Trade outlets note the film has yet to begin production.
Columbus Returns to Direct
Chris Columbus, who wrote the 1984 original, is directing and producing the sequel. He did not direct either prior film; Joe Dante helmed both “Gremlins” and 1990’s “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.”
The screenplay is co-written by Columbus, Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein. Lipovsky and Stein most recently directed “Final Destination: Bloodlines.”
Steven Spielberg, who executive produced the first two films, returns in the same role via his Amblin Entertainment banner.
Practical Puppet Draws Early Praise
The 11-second clip ends on a simple date card reading “10.6.28. Only In Theaters.” It offers a brief look at a bag holding a Mogwai, along with a detailed practical-effects puppet.
Early fan reaction online has centered on the puppet’s expressive eyes and textured fur, details viewers say honor the series’ practical-effects legacy rather than lean on CGI. No cast, plot details or creative-team additions accompanied the footage.
UK Fans Await October Premiere
UK entertainment outlets, reported alongside U.S. trades, confirmed British cinemas are tracking toward the same Oct. 6, 2028, date, consistent with the franchise’s history of day-and-date worldwide releases. The original 1984 “Gremlins” was rated 15 by the British Board of Film Classification; the third installment has not yet received a BBFC rating.
What Comes Next
No casting has been confirmed. Zach Galligan, who played Billy in the first two films, remains active in the franchise, having voiced a cameo in the animated series “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai,” though it is unclear whether he will appear in “Gremlins 3.”
Warner Bros. has not released a synopsis or additional footage beyond Wednesday’s teaser.
This article was human-curated and verified for accuracy by Elena Vane after an initial AI-assisted draft.
Elena Vane is an award-winning comics historian and pop culture journalist. Specializing in the DC/Marvel universes and independent graphic novels, Elena has been documenting the rise of cosplay culture for over a decade . She is a frequent panelist at New York Comic Con and provides in-depth biographies of industry pioneers. Elena’s expertise ensures that every comic-related update is factually grounded and community-focused .
