Gremlins

Year: 1984

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Joe Dante

FantasyHorrorComedy

A quirky salesman buys a peculiar creature called a mogwai as a gift, but unknowingly breaks the instructions and spawns a horde of mischievous, destructive gremlins. As Christmas Eve approaches, the gremlins run rampant, causing chaos and mayhem throughout a small town. The salesman and his girlfriend must find a way to stop the creatures before they cause irreversible damage.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Gremlins yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Gremlins (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gremlins (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:07

Main Characters – Gremlins (1984)

Meet the key characters of Gremlins (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:07

Major Themes – Gremlins (1984)

Explore the central themes of Gremlins (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:07

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Horror Comedies with Mischievous Chaos like Gremlins

Mischievous creatures and dark humor collide in a frenzy of chaos.If you liked the chaotic blend of horror and humor in Gremlins, you'll enjoy these movies. They balance genuine scares with satirical or slapstick comedy, often featuring monstrous creatures causing mayhem in a way that's both terrifying and hilarious. Fans of movies like Gremlins will find a similar mix of tension and laughter here.

chaoticmischievoussatiricaldestructivetenseanxiouspulpyfun

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often begin with a seemingly innocent discovery or mistake that unleashes a destructive force. The narrative then accelerates into a series of escalating chaotic events, pitting ordinary characters against extraordinary, often mischievous, threats. The journey is defined by a push-and-pull between moments of genuine danger and bursts of comedic relief, usually culminating in a large-scale confrontation.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a specific tonal recipe: high-intensity horror paired with a significant comedic element. They create a unique viewing experience that is simultaneously anxious and entertaining, where the destruction feels thrilling rather than purely bleak. The pacing is typically fast, and the emotional weight is kept moderate by the humor.

Cautionary Monster Stories in a Small Town like Gremlins

A simple rule broken leads to catastrophic consequences and a fight for survival.Find movies similar to Gremlins that follow a classic cautionary tale structure. These stories feature a small community facing disaster after a simple mistake unleashes a monster or evil force. If you liked the 'rules broken, chaos unleashed' plot of Gremlins, you'll enjoy these films about survival and responsibility.

cautionarytensedestructivechaoticanxioussurvivalunleashed evilsmall town

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is straightforward: a protagonist receives a gift, discovery, or responsibility with specific, critical rules. The breaking of these rules acts as the inciting incident, triggering the release of a malevolent entity. The plot then follows the rapid escalation of the threat as it overwhelms a localized setting, forcing the characters to confront the consequences of their actions and find a way to contain the chaos.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared plot engine and thematic core. They all explore the idea of hubris, curiosity, or negligence leading directly to disaster. The setting is often a small town or isolated community to emphasize the scale of the threat. The tone is dark and tense, with a bittersweet or sobering ending that reinforces the cautionary message.

Unlock the Full Story of Gremlins

Don't stop at just watching — explore Gremlins in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Gremlins is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Gremlins Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Gremlins, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Gremlins Timeline

Track the full timeline of Gremlins with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Gremlins Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Gremlins that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Gremlins

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Gremlins: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Gremlins

Discover movies like Gremlins that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.