View source for Gremlins 2: The New Batch

{{short description|1990 horror comedy film directed by Joe Dante}}
{{About|the film|the video game based on the film|Gremlins 2: The New Batch (video game){{!}}''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (video game)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Gremlins 2: The New Batch
| image          = Gremlins2poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster by Greg Winters<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tumblr.com/clampcablenetwork/88999434777/textless-version-of-greg-winters-one-sheet | title=Textless version of Greg Winters' one-sheet illustration. |website=clampcablenetwork  |via=Tumblr }}</ref>
| director       = [[Joe Dante]]
| producer       = [[Michael Finnell]]
| writer         = [[Charles S. Haas]]
| based_on       = Characters created by<br />[[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Zach Galligan]]
* [[Phoebe Cates]]
* [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]]
* [[Robert Prosky|Robert J. Prosky]]
* [[Robert Picardo]]
* [[Christopher Lee]]}}
| music          = [[Jerry Goldsmith]]
| cinematography = [[John Hora]]
| editing        = [[Kent Beyda]]
| studio         = [[Amblin Entertainment]]
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]]
| released       = {{Film date|1990|6|15}}
| runtime        = 106 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $30–50 million<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=April 25, 1990|page=1|title=Rush hour for summer pix|last=Fleming|first=Charles}}</ref>
| gross          = $41.5 million (US/Canada)<ref name="mojo1" />
}}
'''''Gremlins 2: The New Batch''''' is a 1990 American [[comedy horror film]] and the sequel to ''[[Gremlins]]'' (1984). It was directed by [[Joe Dante]], written by [[Charles S. Haas]] and features creature designs by [[Rick Baker]]. [[Zach Galligan]] and [[Phoebe Cates]] reprise their roles from the first film, with [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]], [[Robert Prosky]], [[Robert Picardo]] and [[Christopher Lee]] joining the cast. It continues the story of Billy Peltzer and the ''mogwai'' Gizmo, who spawns more of his kind when wet that eventually become imp-like monsters and proceed to wreak havoc within a skyscraper in [[New York City]].

The film heavily parodies its predecessor, with more cartoonish elements and less horror. There are a number of parodies of other forms of [[popular culture]], including [[Rambo (franchise)|the ''Rambo'' franchise]], ''[[The Wizard of Oz]]'', ''[[Marathon Man (film)|Marathon Man]]'' and ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (novel)|The Phantom of the Opera]]''. It was theatrically released on June 15, 1990, and received generally positive reviews. It grossed $42 million on a budget of $30–50 million. Since its release, it has developed a [[cult following]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://consequence.net/2020/06/gremlins-2-oral-history/ | title=An Oral History of Gremlins 2: The New Batch: Interviews with Joe Dante, Zach Galligan, and More | date=June 15, 2020 |website=Consequence}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.simonbland.com/blog/we-were-going-to-make-fun-of-the-fact-you-came-to-see-it-dir-joe-dante-prod-mike-finnell-celebrate-30-years-of-gremlins-2-the-new-batch |date=April 14, 2020 | title="We were going to make fun of the fact you came to see it," - Dir Joe Dante & Prod Mike Finnell Celebrate 30 Years of Gremlins 2: The New Batch |website=simonbland.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/gremlins-2-sequel-joe-dante-rick-baker-designs-christopher-lee-194046016.html | title='Gremlins 2' at 30: Director Joe Dante Talks 'Crazy, Manic Movie' |website=Yahoo! | date=June 15, 2020 }}</ref> A third film is set for release on November 19, 2027.

== Plot ==
Following the death of his owner, Mr. Wing, Gizmo the ''mogwai'' is captured by scientists of the Splice O' Life [[genetic engineering]] [[laboratory]] at Clamp Center, a state-of-the-art skyscraper in [[Manhattan]] owned by eccentric billionaire Daniel Clamp. At the mercy of chief researcher Doctor Cushing Catheter, Gizmo is rescued by his former owner, Billy Peltzer, and his fiancée, Kate Beringer, both of whom work elsewhere in the building. Clamp befriends Billy upon being impressed by his skills in concept design, sparking the interest of Billy's superior, Marla Bloodstone. Gizmo is left in Billy's office, where water from a broken [[drinking fountain]] spills onto his head and causes him to spawn a quartet of new ''mogwai''. They detain Gizmo in the [[Ventilation (architecture)|air vents]] and later eat after midnight at the building's [[food court]] to become gremlins.

After Gizmo finds his way out of the vents, gremlin Mohawk abducts and tortures him. The other gremlins set off [[fire sprinkler]]s to spawn an army of them that throws the building into turmoil. Billy attempts to lure the gremlins into the lobby, where sunlight will kill them; after briefing Clamp on gremlin knowledge, he exits through a secret route to cover the building's entrance with a giant sheet depicting [[night]] to trick the creatures. The gremlins drink genetic serums in the lab; one gains high [[intelligence]], another becomes female and a third is transformed into a being of pure [[electricity]] that murders Catheter before Billy traps it in the building's [[telephone]] system. All the while, television host "Grandpa Fred" films the incident, aided by Japanese tourist Mr. Katsuji.

Murray Futterman, Billy's neighbor from Kingston Falls who is visiting [[New York City]] with his wife Sheila, is attacked by a [[bat]]-like mutated gremlin immunized to sunlight by the intelligent one with a [[sunscreen]]-like formula. After petrifying it with [[cement]], Futterman realizes that he has proved his sanity and has to help; when Clamp exits the building using his secret route, Futterman uses it to sneak inside to aid Billy. Chief of security Frank Forster teams up with Billy, but the enamored female gremlin, nicknamed Greta, chases the former off. Kate and Marla are attacked by Mohawk, now mutated into a [[centaur]]-like [[spider]] hybrid after drinking another serum, but Gizmo saves them by killing him using a makeshift [[arrow]] topped with an ignited bottle of [[Correction fluid|white-out]].

When the plan to stop the gremlins is foiled due to the sudden occurrence of a [[storm]], Billy instead directs Futterman to spray the gremlins with a [[fire hose]], then releases the electrical one to melt them all. Clamp soon charges in with the authorities and press, only to discover that the threat has been neutralized; thrilled by the outcome, he promotes Billy, Kate, Fred and Marla and hires Katsuji as a cameraman as the former two return home with Gizmo. Forster calls Clamp to notify him that he is trapped on the highest floor of the building, where Greta, the sole gremlin survivor, corners and entices him to marry her.

== Cast ==
{{castlist|
* [[Zach Galligan]] as Billy Peltzer
* [[Phoebe Cates]] as Kate Beringer
* [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]] as Daniel Clamp
* [[Robert Prosky]] as [[Grandpa (The Munsters)#Other media|Grandpa Fred]]
* [[Robert Picardo]] as Frank Forster, chief of Clamp Center's security
* [[Christopher Lee]] as Doctor Cushing Catheter
* [[Haviland Morris]] as Marla Bloodstone
* [[Dick Miller]] as Murray Futterman
* [[Jackie Joseph]] as Sheila Futterman
* [[Gedde Watanabe]] as Mr. Katsuji
* [[Keye Luke]] as Mr. Wing
* [[Kathleen Freeman]] as Microwave Marge
* Don and Dan Stanton as Martin and Lewis, Catheter's assistants
* [[Jason Presson]] as Alex, a [[frozen yogurt]]-selling clerk
* [[Belinda Balaski]] as a mother at a [[movie theater]] that the film is [[Fourth wall|being shown at]]. Balaski played Mrs. Harris in the first film.
* [[John Capodice]] as a fire chief
* [[Paul Bartel]] as a theater manager
* [[Kenneth Tobey]] as a theater projectionist
* [[Julia Sweeney]] as Peggy, the lab receptionist
* [[Charles S. Haas]] as Casper, Catheter's other assistant
* [[Leonard Maltin]] as himself
* [[Hulk Hogan]] as himself 
}}

The film has various crew and guest cameos: Alex Leam as a customer receiving his ordered frozen yogurt, the film's composer [[Jerry Goldsmith]] as another frozen yogurt patron, [[John Astin]] as a janitor and [[Henry Gibson]] as an employee fired for smoking. [[Rick Ducommun]] cameos as a security guard and [[Joe Dante]] as the director of Grandpa Fred's show. [[Dick Butkus]] and [[Bubba Smith]] cameo as themselves. The cast of [[PBS]]' ''[[Square One Television]]'' appear as themselves filming an episode in Clamp Center's lobby.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/762639/lets-revisit-gremlins-2s-wonderfully-strange-cameos/ |title=Let's Revisit Gremlins 2's Wonderfully Strange Cameos |date=February 9, 2022 |website=Slash Film}}</ref> [[Dean Norris]] and [[Raymond Cruz]] appear in the film as a [[SWAT]] team member and delivery man, respectively.

=== Voices ===
{{div col|colwidth=}}
* [[Howie Mandel]] as Gizmo
* [[Tony Randall]] as the intelligent gremlin (credited as "The Brain Gremlin")
* [[Frank Welker]] as Mohawk
* [[Kirk Thatcher]] and [[Mark Dodson (actor)|Mark Dodson]] as the gremlins
* [[Jeff Bergman]] as [[Bugs Bunny]], [[Daffy Duck]] and [[Porky Pig]] 
* [[Neil Ross]] as Clamp Center's [[intercom]] announcements 
* [[Chad Everett]] as John Wayne
{{div col end}}

== ''Looney Tunes'' segments ==
The film includes [[animation|animated]] segments written and directed by [[Chuck Jones]] and featuring ''[[Looney Tunes]]'' characters [[Bugs Bunny]], [[Daffy Duck]] and [[Porky Pig]]. Jones had retired from animation before returning to work on ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch''.<ref name="Hinson">{{cite news|first=Hal|last=Hinson|title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 15, 1990}}</ref> Dante explained the animation at the beginning of the film was meant to "set the anarchic tone."<ref name=DVD>{{cite video |people=DVD commentary |date=2002 |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |publisher=Warner Home Video }}</ref>

The first segment initiates the film and features the classic ''Looney Tunes'' opening card, leading to the assumption that this is a cartoon that is being shown alongside the film; however, when Bugs appears through the rings atop the Warner Bros. shield, Daffy interrupts the sequence and pulls Bugs away from the shield, striving to recreate the opening with himself in Bugs' place. Unfortunately, the shield overshoots, causing the entire card to fall apart and become stuck around Daffy's waist. An annoyed Daffy states that since he will not star in the cartoon, they might as well just skip straight to the film. Bugs happily obliges by spinning Daffy away from the screen like a [[spinning top]], making way for the film's title to appear.

The DVD and Blu-ray release of the film include a longer version of the cartoon short. In it, Daffy is informed by Bugs that he has been promoted to executive and is subsequently put in charge of writing the title of the movie. When Daffy mistakenly writes the title ''Gremlins 2'' as "Gremlin Stew", Bugs corrects the error. Daffy then attempts to rename the film ''The Return of Super-Daffy Meets Gremlins 2 Part 6: The Movie'', but Bugs rejects this for being too long, changing it back to ''Gremlins 2'' (rendered in the font of the official logo). Daffy then quits his new job and Bugs decides to add a subtitle, saying it looks "a little skimpy" without one. This material was removed from the theatrical release because early audiences expected a live-action film and were bewildered by the lengthy animated sequence.

Throughout the film's credits, Daffy pops into frame sporadically and spouts off sarcastic comments. The last segment appears afterwards and again features the ''Looney Tunes'' rings. This time, Porky comes out of the rings and tries to say his usual "Th-th-th-that's all, folks!", but Daffy interrupts and takes over again. After Daffy says the slogan, the back of the Warner Bros. shield – with the credits "Title Animation Written & Directed by Chuck Jones", as well as featuring his signature – smashes him. He then peeks his head out on the left side and says, "Fade out.", as the segment concludes.<ref name="additional commentary">{{cite video |people=DVD commentary, Additional Scenes|date=2002 |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |publisher=Warner Home Video }}</ref>

== Production ==
The original ''Gremlins'' was a financial success, and [[Warner Bros.]] asked its director Joe Dante to make a sequel straight away. Dante declined, because he saw ''Gremlins'' as having a proper ending, and thus a sequel would only be meant to be profitable. Moreover, the original film was a taxing experience for Dante, and he wanted to move on. Work on ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' continued without him, as the studio approached various directors and writers. Storylines considered included sending the gremlins to cities like [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] or even the planet Mars. After these ideas fell through, the studio returned to Dante, who agreed to make the sequel after receiving the rare promise of having complete creative control over the movie; he also received a budget triple that of the original film. Dante later acknowledged that by this point too much time had passed between the films, thus possibly reducing public interest in a ''Gremlins'' sequel.<ref name="special">{{cite video |people=DVD commentary; Special edition|date=2002 |title= Steven Spielberg presents ''Gremlins.''|medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Home Video }}</ref>

Principal photography commenced in New York City on May 26, 1989, and ended in September. As the filmmakers noted, this was a time when cable television, genetics and frozen yogurt were becoming more common in popular culture, hence are all parodied in the movie.<ref name=DVD/>

=== Plotting ===
With more control over the film, Dante engineered a project that he later referred to as "one of the more unconventional studio pictures, ever." Dante included some material that he believed Warner Bros. would not have allowed had they not wanted a sequel to ''Gremlins''. Allowed to break a number of rules in filmmaking, he also later claimed it was the film into which he had put the most of his personal influence. Dante imagined ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' as a satire of ''Gremlins'' and sequels in general.<ref name=DVD/>

Screenwriter Charlie Haas introduced the concept of moving the gremlins to New York City and a corporate head (Daniel Clamp) as Billy's boss. When the Warner Bros. executives grew concerned about the expense of portraying the gremlins attacking an entire city, Haas came up with the idea of confining the action within Clamp's "smart building". Haas also included a great deal of material in his screenplay that proved too elaborate to produce, including having a cow–hamster hybrid running on a treadmill in the laboratory.<ref name=DVD/>

In keeping with Dante's desires to satirize the original film, the sequel has some [[meta-reference]]s and [[self-referential humor]]. These include a cameo appearance by film critic [[Leonard Maltin]]. He holds up a copy of the original ''Gremlins'' home video and denounces it, just as he had in reality; however, his rant is cut short when gremlins assault him. Partly for this scene, one academic called Dante "one of contemporary cinema's great pranksters."<ref name="Kelly">{{cite journal|last=Kelly|first=Christopher|date=Summer 2000
|title=Toys in the Attic: The Unsung Pleasures (And Terrors) of 'Babe: Pig in the City'|journal=[[Film Quarterly]]|volume=53|issue=4|page=44
|doi=10.1525/fq.2000.53.4.04a00050}}</ref>

Additionally, when Billy is trying to explain the rules regarding the mogwai to staff in the building, the staff finds them quite absurd and derisively interrogates Billy on their precise meaning; at one point considering the [[thought experiment]] of a mogwai in a plane which crosses a time zone. This scene originates from the fact that the filmmakers themselves saw the rules as irrational and some questions in the scene were based upon those raised by fans of the original film.<ref name=DVD/>

At one point in the film, Dante attempted to involve his audience in the story by making it seem as if the gremlins had taken control of a movie theater where the film is being shown. In the scene, the theater's projector becomes sabotaged by the gremlins, who then engage in [[shadow play|shadow puppetry]] over the blank [[projection screen]] before showing the vintage [[nudie film]] ''Volleyball Holiday'' in their origin film's place. [[Hulk Hogan]], who is in attendance in the auditorium in a cameo appearance, intimidates the gremlins into running the rest of the film. This joke was inspired by a similar stunt in [[William Castle]]'s ''[[The Tingler]]'' (1959). The studio feared that people might leave the theatre if they thought the film had broken; Dante therefore secured the inclusion of the sequence by assembling some people for a preview of the film. When the scene was shown, the real-life audience found it enjoyable and stayed in the theatre. Dante later described this scene as one of the most widely enjoyed jokes in the film.

When the film made its debut on home video, the theatrical version was kept intact for the laserdisc release, but for the VHS release the filmmakers replaced the scene to make it seem as if the viewer's VCR had been sabotaged by the gremlins. In this version, the gremlins do their shadow puppetry over [[white noise]] before changing the VCR's channels. Their antics stop at a broadcast of ''[[Chisum]]'', where [[John Wayne]] forces the gremlins into continuing the film, although voice impersonation was needed due to Wayne's passing in 1979; actor [[Chad Everett]] was recommended by Wayne's son, [[Patrick Wayne]].<ref name=DVD/> Notably, a clip from ''[[Falling Hare]]'', a 1943 animated short featuring Bugs Bunny and a gremlin, appears in this version. Also featured is a clip of the opening titles of the [[KTHV]] local newscast at the time in Little Rock, Arkansas. These sequences occur in lieu of the Hulk Hogan sequence which also featured [[Paul Bartel]]. The later DVD and Blu-ray releases include the reworked VHS scene as a bonus feature.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4734 |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |website=Movie-Censorship.com |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=March 23, 2015}}</ref>

The original version of the film was longer, but executive producer [[Steven Spielberg]] claimed that there were too many gremlins and several scenes were cut as a result. One deleted scene portrayed three of the main gremlins, Daffy, Lenny and George, sneaking into television host Grandpa Fred's studio and "helping" him host, acting on the premise that Grandpa Fred's show was intended to be scary (though this scene was later included in the tie-in novel).<ref name="additional commentary"/>

=== Casting ===
Several actors from the original film returned to make ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'', including Galligan, Cates and Dick Miller. Miller reprised his role as Billy's neighbor Murray Futterman, who the gremlins severely injured, both physically and mostly mentally, in the first film, in an expanded role in this film. In the second, he plays a part in wiping out the creatures by dousing one in cement and using the building's fire hose against the others. [[Character actor|Character actress]] Jackie Joseph returned to play Mr. Futterman's wife, and there were also brief reappearances in the movie theatre sequence from [[Belinda Balaski]] as a complaining mother and [[Kenneth Tobey]] as the projectionist. Keye Luke also returned to play Mr. Wing, Gizmo's original owner. When Luke heard his character would die in ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'', he quipped, "Remember, when you make ''Gremlins 3'', I'm a [[flashback (literary technique)|flashback]]!". [[Hoyt Axton]] was meant to return as Billy's father, the inventor. He would have appeared at the end of the film, having designed special clothing for Gizmo that would ensure Gizmo would never come into contact with water again. At the last moment, the filmmakers decided not to shoot the scene to reduce time.<ref name=DVD/>

New performers included [[Robert Picardo]], who had previously worked with Dante and producer [[Michael Finnell]] in films such as ''[[The Howling (film)|The Howling]]'' (1981) and ''[[Innerspace]]'' (1987). He plays Forster, one of Billy's crueler bosses. [[Robert Prosky]] played Grandpa Fred, a television host, and his character was based upon [[Al Lewis (actor)|Al Lewis]]'s character [[the Munsters|Grandpa Munster]]. Joe Dante has a brief cameo as the director of Grandpa Fred's show. [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]] played Clamp (character based upon [[Donald Trump]] and [[Ted Turner]]) and brought to the role an enthusiastic innocence that overrode the fact that his character had been written as a [[villain]], which Dante thought lightened the film in general.<ref name=DVD/>

Christopher Lee (who previously worked with Spielberg in ''[[1941 (film)|1941]]'') portrayed the Splice O' Life's head scientist, Doctor Cushing Catheter. Lee imagined his character as light-hearted; but Dante encouraged him to portray him as [[evil]] to better match the atmosphere of the laboratory set. Lee was revered on the set for his experience.<ref name=DVD/> In a deleted scene, Catheter examines a [[bat]] injected with the sunscreen-like formula that would later be used on the bat-like gremlin. He then says to his colleague, "I'm told they sometimes feed on blood"; this is a reference to Lee's performances as [[Count Dracula]] in the [[Hammer Film Productions|Hammer Horror]] films.<ref name="additional commentary"/> Later, as the bat-like gremlin is transforming, Catheter experiences ''[[déjà vu]]'' while Dracula music is heard. The character's first name, Cushing, is a reference to Lee's frequent Hammer co-star and best friend, [[Peter Cushing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.schlock-value.com |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |last=Anderson |first=Thomas |date=January 6, 2019 |website=Schlock Value |access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref>

[[Leonard Maltin]], a film critic for ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'', had given a negative review to the first ''Gremlins'' film. While Dante was initially hurt by the review, he invited Maltin to film a cameo as the film critic of a fictional Clamp Cable Network show, ''The Movie Police''. Maltin gives a snide review for the video re-release of the first film along the lines of his original review before being assaulted by some gremlins as he attempts to change his mind.

=== Special effects ===
[[Image:Gremlins2bat.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Director [[Joe Dante]] (left) holds a cardboard "Bat Gremlin", with actor [[Dick Miller]] (arms raised). A [[stop motion]] model replaced the cardboard gremlin in post-production.]]
For [[special effect]]s, the original film relied on [[Chris Walas]], who moved on to pursue a directing career. Dante turned to [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]-winner [[Rick Baker]] to create the effects for ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch''. Baker was not interested, as he saw ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' as too much work for a project in which he would not be the creator but rather a successor to Walas. He was eventually persuaded to accept the job when it was suggested he could make the gremlins and mogwai more diverse.<ref name=DVD/>

In the first film, when Gizmo multiplied, his offspring closely resembled himself, except for the leader, Stripe. Here, the four mogwai Gizmo produces each possess their own distinct personalities and physical features. Additionally, each mogwai has a name, although the names were used in the script and never spoken aloud in the film. Two of the mogwais were George, black without a stripe and a caricature of [[Edward G. Robinson]] and Lenny, buck-toothed, named after the principal characters in ''[[Of Mice and Men]]'', whom they resemble in both appearance and demeanor. Daffy was named for his manic behavior, and the leader, Mohawk, for his [[mohawk hairstyle]]. Based on the original film's character, Stripe, [[Frank Welker]] also voices Mohawk. While both the mogwai and gremlin versions of Stripe had fur stripes, Baker hit upon the idea of giving the Mohawk mogwai a fur stripe and giving the Mohawk gremlin something scalier. Gizmo was also redesigned; the puppet was generally larger and its design was simplified. Dante commented Gizmo may look less real in ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'', but the result was that Gizmo could convey more [[anthropomorphism|emotion]].<ref name=DVD/>

Later on, when the mogwai metamorphose into gremlins and multiply, they further diversify by running amok in the Splice O' Life laboratory and ingesting various serums. One becomes bat-like, in addition to being immunized to sunlight. Mohawk becomes part-[[spider]]. One becomes part-vegetable (Vegetable Gremlin, as Dante named it) and another turns into a female gremlin, referred to in at least one script as the "Girl Gremlin" and in the official trading card series and other promotional materials as "Lady Gremlina" with shiny red lips and mascara. Nowadays she is referred to as "Greta", after the late [[Greta Garbo]]. Yet another has acid thrown onto his face, quickly presenting a mask of [[Erik (The Phantom of the Opera)|the Phantom of the Opera]].<ref name=DVD/>

As with the first, [[puppetry]] was involved, and some of the puppets were mechanical. An actor holding a puppet would have to have wires strapped to him. ''Gremlins 2'' also includes more [[stop motion]] animation than the first film; the Bat Gremlin was portrayed through some stop motion animation. Film technology since the original had improved, and as a result the creatures can be seen walking more. Gizmo is able to dance, although this scene took the longest to make. Because there are more gremlins in ''Gremlins 2'' than the original, additional filming lasted five months. Many of the effects had to be completed after the actors had finished their work.<ref name="DVD"/>

For the gremlins' voices, [[Howie Mandel]] returned as the voice of Gizmo, [[Frank Welker]] provided the voice for Mohawk, while [[Tony Randall]] provided the voice of the Brain Gremlin, Joe Dante provided voices for the Beanie Gremlin and the Witch Gremlin, Nancy McConnor provided the voice for the Bat Gremlin, Mark Dodson provided voices for George, Lenny, Daffy and Greta and Kirk Thatcher provided voices for most of the gremlins, alongside Welker.

=== Music ===
{{Infobox album
| name       = Gremlins 2: The New Batch
| type       = Film score
| artist     = Jerry Goldsmith
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = August 31, 1990; June 22, 2015 (25th Anniversary Edition)
| recorded   = 1990
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = Soundtrack
| length     = 39:25 (original); 76:27 (Expansion)
| label      =
| producer   =
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
As with the first film, the music in ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' was composed and conducted by [[Jerry Goldsmith]], who also has a cameo in the film alongside his wife, and performed by the [[Hollywood Studio Symphony]]. The song "I'm Ready" by [[Fats Domino]] was put into the film after singer [[Billy Idol]] denied the filmmakers the right to use the song "[[Dancing with Myself]]", so Joe Dante had to find a song that fit the beat that Gizmo was dancing to.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Appelo |first1=Tim |title=Uncovering the secrets of ''Gremlins 2'' |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/07/13/uncovering-secrets-gremlins-2/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |work=EW.com |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |date=13 July 1990 |language=en}}</ref> In the latter half of the film, Gizmo, inspired by the ''[[Rambo (film series)|Rambo]]'' films and tired of the abuse he has suffered at the hands of the gremlins, takes revenge on Mohawk. Gizmo shoots the Mohawk spider-gremlin with a makeshift bow and flaming arrow. For the scene in which Gizmo prepares for this move, Goldsmith – who had also authored the music in the ''Rambo'' films – employed a variant of Gizmo's theme in the style of the ''Rambo'' theme.<ref name="DVD"/> The soundtrack was released August 31, 1990 through [[Varèse Sarabande]] and features twelve tracks of score at a running time just under forty minutes.<ref name="filmtracks">{{cite web|url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/gremlins2.html|title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch|date=March 12, 2005|website=[[Filmtracks.com]]|access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> On June 22, 2015, an expanded release came from the same label.<ref name="The Second Disc">{{cite web|url=https://theseconddisc.com/2015/06/23/here-they-grow-again-varese-premieres-expanded-gremlins-2-soundtrack/|title=Here They Grow Again: Varese Premieres Expanded "Gremlins 2" Soundtrack|date=June 23, 2015|website=Theseconddisc.com|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref>

The scene featuring Mohawk transforming into a spider-like monster features a portion of the song "[[Angel of Death (Slayer song)|Angel of Death]]" by thrash metal band [[Slayer]]. In another scene, the Brain Gremlin leads hundreds of gremlins to sing "[[Theme from New York, New York|New York, New York]]". Dante claimed that "The musical number is a shameless steal" from the film ''[[Dames (film)|Dames]]'' (1934).<ref name="cedrone">{{cite news|first=Lou|last=Cedrone|title=Gremlins 2 hit, suiting Dante just fine: Director happy to taste success again after disappointing Burbs|work=[[The Windsor Star]]|page=C 5|date=June 22, 1990}}</ref>

==== Song list ====
{{div col}}
* [[Fats Domino]] – "I'm Ready"
* [[Jeff Beck]] – "Sling Shot"
* Jeff Beck – "Situation"
* [[Slayer]] – "[[Angel of Death (Slayer song)|Angel of Death]]"
* [[Tony Randall]] – "[[Theme from New York, New York|New York, New York]]"
* [[Bach]] – [[Air on the G String]]
* [[Thompson Twins]] – "[[Bombers in the Sky]]"
* [[Damn Yankees (band)|Damn Yankees]] – "Damn Yankees"
* [[Jasmine Guy]] – "Tuff Boy"
* Private Life – "Touch Me"
* [[Gordon Lightfoot]] – "[[If You Could Read My Mind (song)|If You Could Read My Mind]]"
* [[Faith No More]] – "Surprise! You're Dead!"
* [[George Gershwin]] – "[[Rhapsody in Blue]]"
{{div col end}}

== Reception ==
Film critics varied in their reviews of ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch.'' [[Roger Ebert]], who had approved of the first film, observed that ''Gremlins 2'' was meant to satirize sequels. Nevertheless, he felt it did not manage to differentiate itself from the original enough and was not as good. He went on to claim that the film lacks a well-constructed plot, and once the gremlins arrive, the film simply becomes a "series of gags." He thus gave the film two and a half stars, out of a possible four.<ref name="ebert">{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/gremlins-2-the-new-batch-1990 |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |first=Roger |last=Ebert |date=June 15, 1990 |access-date=October 26, 2022 }}</ref> Hal Hinson of ''The Washington Post'' caught on to how the ''Looney Tunes'' animation is meant to imply "anarchic wit," but nevertheless felt both the cartoon short and the film itself are failures. He saw the beginning as too slow and, like Ebert, thought the film is too similar to the first. Hinson did, however, approve of the characterization of the gremlins and their version of "New York, New York." He also noted that turning the gremlins against Clamp resembles anti-corporate "poetic justice."<ref name="Hinson"/>

In contrast, while one reviewer for ''Films in Review'', like Ebert, argued the film resembles the original and abandons its plot when the gremlins arrive, he also felt the film's appeal could be found partly in its self-consciousness of these facts and its in-jokes and satire. He also complimented Cates as "wholesomely bewitching," and Galligan as "a suitably naive foil for the scaly fiends."<ref name="Grant">{{cite journal|last=Grant|first=Edmond|date=October 1990
|title=Gremlins 2|journal=Films in Review|volume=41|issue=10|pages=485–487}}</ref>
Desson Howe of ''The Washington Post'' also approved of the film, including its special effects and the parodies of Trump, Turner, genetics labs, cable television, and the film ''[[Marathon Man (film)|Marathon Man]]''.<ref name="howe">{{cite news|first=Desson|last=Howe|title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 15, 1990}}</ref>
Some critics thought the film has qualities the original lacked, such as wit. A critic for ''National Review'' called the film "much freer and wittier than the first one," though he felt the sequel shies away from becoming an important piece of satire.<ref name="Simon">{{cite magazine |last=Simon |first=John |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |date=August 6, 1990 |magazine=[[National Review]] |volume=42 |issue=15 |pages=48–50}}</ref>
The cover of an issue of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' in July 1990 also exclaimed that "actor John Glover... and director Joe Dante made ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' wittier, better, and more subversive than the original." Some critics who found the first film too dark also gave ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' more positive reviews. Leonard Maltin, who appears in the film, gave it three out of four stars for its references to other films, Glover's imitation of Turner and Trump, and Lee's performance.<ref name="maltin">{{cite book|isbn=0-451-20392-5|oclc=717397017|title=Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide|last=Maltin|first=Leonard|publisher=A Signet Book|year=2001|pages=[https://archive.org/details/leonardmaltinsmo2002malt/page/557 557–558]|edition=2002|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/leonardmaltinsmo2002malt/page/557}}</ref> ''VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever'' gave the film three-and-a-half bones out of four as opposed to the three bones given to the original, stating: {{cquote|
The sequel to "Gremlins" is superior to the original, which was quite good. ... director Dante presents a less violent but far more campy vision, paying myriad surreal tributes to scores of movies, including "The Wizard of Oz" and musical extravaganzas of the past. Also incorporates a Donald Trump parody, takes on TV news, and body-slams modern urban living. Great fun.<ref>Craddock, Jim, editor. VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever. Detroit, Michigan: Thomson Gale, 2007. {{ISBN|0-7876-8980-7}}.</ref>{{refn|The ''Golden Movie Retriever'' uses bones as its variation of stars. According to the staff's "Bone Ratings" system, a title given three-and-a-half bones demonstrates "Memorable cinematic fare with flair, verve, polish, sheen, and panache. Easily able to recommend to friends." A title given three bones demonstrates "Good story, fine acting provides decent entertainment return on video investment. Would recommend to family members, even distant cousins."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movieretriever.com/faq#7|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129121749/http://www.movieretriever.com/faq%237#7|url-status=dead|title=What do the Bone Ratings mean? (Frequently Asked Questions)|access-date=July 15, 2010|work=VideoHound's MovieRetriever.com|publisher=Gale Cengage|archive-date=January 29, 2013}}</ref>|group=nb}}}}
An [[Allmovie]] critic complimented the sequel by saying the "original's violence and mean-spiritedness are gone, making this follow-up somewhat more kid-friendly."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/gremlins-2-the-new-batch-v20919/review |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) |first=Matthew |last=Doberman |work=[[Allmovie]] |access-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014022216/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/gremlins-2-the-new-batch-v20919/review |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> The film was nominated for several [[Saturn Award]]s, namely for Best Director, Best Fantasy Film, Best Music, and Best Special Effects. Glover and Picardo were both nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award.

Still, the film did not perform as well at the box office as the original. ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' was released into US theatres on June 15, 1990, the same day as ''[[Dick Tracy (1990 film)|Dick Tracy]]''. In its first weekend it made $9,702,804, and it ultimately made $41,482,207.<ref name="mojo1">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3109520897/weekend/|title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]
|access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> It was thus only the thirty-first highest-grossing film of the year, behind a few other films in the comedy, horror or fantasy genre, such as ''[[Back to the Future Part III]]'' ($87,727,583), ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'' ($56,362,352), and ''[[Arachnophobia (film)|Arachnophobia]]'' ($53,208,180). It did, however, outperform ''[[Predator 2]]'' ($30,669,413), ''[[Child's Play 2]]'' ($28,501,605) and ''[[The Exorcist III]]'' ($26,098,824).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1990/ |title=1990 Domestic Grosses |website=Box Office Mojo  |access-date=May 19, 2006}}</ref>

''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' also played in other countries. Canadian audiences reportedly enjoyed one scene where Billy and his boss meet at a Canadian-themed restaurant, where the waiters are dressed like the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]].<ref name=DVD/> The film was released in Norway on July 5, Finland on July 6, Colombia on July 12, and much of Europe in the rest of July, including in the United Kingdom and Spain on July 27. It opened in France and Argentina in August and reached Australia on September 20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099700/releaseinfo |title=Release dates for Gremlins 2: The New Batch |website=[[The Internet Movie Database]] |access-date=May 20, 2006}}{{better source needed|date=December 2024}}</ref> It earned £7,400,000 in the United Kingdom.

On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's consensus states; "''Gremlins 2'' trades the spiky thrills of its predecessor for looney satire, yielding a succession of sporadically clever gags that add some flavor to a recycled plot."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gremlins_2_the_new_batch|title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> {{Metacritic film prose|69|28|access-date=January 24, 2025}}<ref>{{Cite Metacritic |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch |id=gremlins-2-the-new-batch |type=movie |access-date=January 24, 2025}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= Cinemascore |website= [[CinemaScore]] |access-date=August 9, 2019 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190809062201/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date=August 9, 2019 }}</ref>

== Merchandising ==
As with the first film, merchandising accompanied ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch''. This may have been integral to the film's purpose. As one critic wrote, "it's a savvy, off-the-wall comedy that acknowledges, yes, it is just one more silly rip-off sequel, produced to sell off the merchandise inspired by the first film."<ref name="Grant"/> One reference the film makes to the original, an allusion to the merchandising surrounding Gizmo, drew criticism. Some critics saw the mention of merchandise as tasteless. This type of product placement has since become more common.<ref name=DVD/>

The new merchandise released alongside the film included PVC figures, plush, and other collectibles by the now-defunct Applause company in 1990. Much later, action figures by the [[National Entertainment Collectibles Association]] (NECA Toys) based on characters such as the Brain and Mohawk gremlins were released. NECA also planned to release mogwais and gremlins from the film in late 2011 and 2012; with mogwai and gremlin versions of Daffy, Lenny and George, as well as a mogwai version of Mohawk. The Electric gremlin, flasher gremlin and the Phantom of the Opera gremlin were also planned to be released in action figure form by NECA. There were also newer versions of Gizmo released, including his Rambo look. Greta, a newer version of Mohawk and Mohawk in Spider form were also being planned.

There were also children's books like ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch: Movie Storybook'', by Michael Teitelbaum, published by Goldencraft in December 1990. [[Little Golden Books]] published ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch: Gizmo to the Rescue'' in July 1990.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000A1R4P Gremlins 12" Roto-Cast Brain Action Figure by NECA], ''[[Amazon.com]]'', URL accessed May 22, 2006; [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030765950X Gremlins 2: The New Batch: Movie Storybook (Hardcover) by Michael Teitelbaum], ''Amazon.com'', URL accessed May 22, 2006; [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307125912 Gizmo To Rescue Look-Look Book (Gremlins 2 : the New Batch) (Paperback) by Jim Razzi, Gene Biggs, Kim Ellis (Illustrator)] ''Amazon.com'', URL accessed May 22, 2006.</ref> In the United Kingdom, [[William Heinemann Ltd.]] had published two tie-in picture books from Buzz Books in August 1990 which contains photographs and scenes taken from the film. They were titled ''Don't Get Wet'' and ''Midnight Feast''. [[David Bischoff]] wrote a novel based on the film published by [[Avon Books]] in June 1990. A unique aspect of the novel is how Bischoff adapts the sequence where the film breaks. In the novel, the Brain Gremlin subdues and locks Bischoff in his bathroom before taking the reins for a little bit to explain that the gremlins take over at this point in the film, his displeasure at Bischoff using the nickname "Mr. Glasses" instead of his official name and begins a treatise on politics before Bischoff breaks his way out of the bathroom with an axe and subdues the Brain Gremlin. The novel then continues where the film picked up after the film break.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shop.fangoria.com/new/nightmare-anniversary-gremlins-2-the-new-batch-of-merchandise |title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch – MobyGames |access-date=May 23, 2006 |website=[[Fangoria]]  |page=1 |quote=Gremlins 2: The New Batch... Released 1990 Platforms Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123062040/http://www.fangoria.com/new/nightmare-anniversary-gremlins-2-the-new-batch-of-merchandise/ |archive-date=January 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}"</ref>

The Spanish company [[Topo Soft]] developed a side-scrolling ''Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' video game for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]], [[MSX]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[ZX Spectrum]]. It was distributed by Erbe Software in Spain and by [[Elite Systems|Elite]] abroad, being the first time a Spanish video game company got an exclusive license from a Hollywood movie to make a videogame.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encanta.avalonsoftware.org/idgaw/11/noticias.php |title=El Amiga me Encanta – Amiga World Nº11 – Noticias |website=Encanta.avalonsoftware.org |access-date=February 20, 2012 |language=es |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120150120/http://encanta.avalonsoftware.org/idgaw/11/noticias.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hi-Tech Expressions a different game for IBM PC compatibles in 1991, but it was poorly received. [[Sunsoft]] released [[Gremlins 2: The New Batch (video game)|versions]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Game Boy]] in 1990.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.mobygames.com/game/gremlins-2-the-new-batch
| title = Gremlins 2: The New Batch – MobyGames
| access-date = May 23, 2006
| author = MobyGames
| author-link = MobyGames
| work = MobyGames – A Game Documentation and Review Project
| publisher = MobyGames
| page = 1
| quote = Gremlins 2: The New Batch... Released 1990 Platforms Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum
}}"</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.mobygames.com/game/gremlins-2-the-new-batch__
| title = Gremlins 2: The New Batch for NES – MobyGames
| access-date = April 2, 2007
| author = MobyGames
| author-link = MobyGames
| work = MobyGames – A Game Documentation and Review Project
| publisher = MobyGames
| page = 1
| quote = Gremlins 2: The New Batch... Released 1990 Platform NES
}}"</ref>

==Sequel==
In January 2013, ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' reported that Warner Bros. was negotiating with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment to reboot the ''Gremlins'' franchise.<ref name=Vulture>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/01/warner-bros-looking-to-breed-gremlins-again-reboot.html|title=Warner Bros. Looking to Breed ''Gremlins'' Again |first=Claude |last=Brodesser-Akner|date=16 January 2013|work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> [[Seth Grahame-Smith]] was tapped to produce, alongside David Katzenberg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3232653/exclusive-gremlins-reboot-has-seth-grahame-smith-snacking-after-midnight/|title=Exclusive: 'Gremlins' Reboot Has Seth Grahame-Smith Snacking After Midnight! |work=Bloody Disgusting!|date=May 13, 2013 }}</ref> However, Grahame-Smith has since stated that the project has been put on hold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/seth-grahame-smith-says-the-gremlins-reboot-is-in-a-holding-pattern-206|title=Seth Grahame-Smith says the Gremlins reboot is in a holding pattern|first=Alex |last=Maidy|date=January 16, 2015 |website=JoBlo}}</ref> In November 2015, [[Zach Galligan]] confirmed that the third film would be a sequel and not a reboot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gremlins-3-wont-be-a-remake-or-reboot/|title=Gremlins 3 won't be a remake or reboot|work=Den of Geek|date=November 27, 2015|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=May 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520170711/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gremlins-3-wont-be-a-remake-or-reboot/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In a December 2016 interview with ''Bleeding Cool'', Galligan said that [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]] had been "aggressively working on a ''Gremlins 3''", which had writer [[Carl Ellsworth]] on board. A 2017 interview with Columbus discussed his "twisted and dark" script which explored the idea that has been on the fans' minds for a long time: "If all the gremlins come from getting Gizmo wet and feeding his mogwai offspring after midnight, should Gizmo be eliminated?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/gremlins-3-has-been-written/|title=Exclusive: ''Gremlins 3'' Has a 'Twisted and Dark' Screenplay Says Writer Chris Columbus|work=[[/Film]]|date=August 15, 2017|first=Fred |last=Topel|access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref> In November 2020, Columbus stated that CGI would not be used for the gremlins and that traditional puppets and animatronics would continue to be used.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gremlins-3-not-cgi-puppets-chris-columbus/ |title=Gremlins 3 Writer Reveals Creatures Will Not Be CGI |website=Comicbook.com |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref>

In April 2025, Warner Bros. Film Group CEO Pam Abdy confirmed that a new film in the franchise was officially in development, still with the involvement of Amblin and Columbus.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/warner-bros-mike-de-luca-pam-abdy-courage-in-face-of-brutal-press-coverage-1236366618/|title=Warner Bros' Mike De Luca & Pam Abdy: Playing Long Game, Mixing IP Like 'Bodyguard' Revamp & Bold Originals & Animation Despite Brutal Press|website=Deadline|date=April 11, 2025|access-date=April 15, 2025}}</ref> In July 2025, Galligan revealed that the script was completed, Warner Bros was eager to do it with Columbus as the new director and that they were just waiting for Spielberg to read and approve the script.<ref>[https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/7/29/gremlins-3-has-script-waiting-to-be-approved-by-spielberg Gremlins 3' Has Script Waiting to be Approved by Spielberg]</ref>

In November 2025, a sequel was announced with a release date of November 19, 2027 with Spielberg returning as executive producer and the script co-written by Columbus, [[Zach Lipovsky]] and [[Adam Stein]]. Columbus will also serve as the director.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2025/film/news/gremlins-3-release-date-november-2027-1236571272/|title=‘Gremlins 3’ Movie Sets November 2027 Release Date|website=Variety|date=November 6, 2025|access-date=November 6, 2025}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote-inline|Gremlins 2: The New Batch}}
* {{IMDb title|0099700}}
* {{TCMDb title|76995}}
* [https://twitter.com/G2Institute Institute of Gremlins 2 Studies] on twitter

{{Gremlins (franchise)}}
{{Joe Dante}}
{{Chuck Jones}}

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