Gremlins 3: Release Delayed to 2028 as Chris Columbus Returns to Direct
After decades of anticipation, Gremlins 3 is officially moving forward—but fans will have to wait a little longer. Warner Bros. has delayed the Chris Columbus-directed sequel from November 19, 2027, to October 6, 2028, a push of nearly eleven months, according to Deadline. The film, which Columbus will both direct and produce, marks a significant homecoming for the filmmaker, who wrote the original 1984 classic and is known for directing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Warner Bros. Pictures’ President of Development and Production, Jesse Ehrman, expressed enthusiasm: “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.”
However, the creative direction remains a topic of intense speculation. Columbus’s long-gestating script, which he has been developing since at least 2017, reportedly takes a darker, practical-effects-driven approach. One major story element he teased involves directly exploring whether Gizmo should be killed to prevent future gremlin outbreaks. Yet it’s unclear if this version will reach theaters or if producer Steven Spielberg has set it aside in favor of a different tone. The primary holdup over the years was described as rights negotiations and determining the correct timing for the project.
With the new release date set for October 6, 2028, the long-awaited sequel is finally on track after decades of rewrites and shifting creative directions. Whether it reflects Columbus’s darker vision or an entirely new take remains one of the biggest unanswered questions. For now, fans can mark their calendars for a return to the chaotic world of Gizmo and the gremlins—just a little later than hoped.
Shimanta Das 
