Gremlins (1984)

One of the most profitable films of a year that had no shortage of memorable blockbusters, Gremlins is a horror comedy centering on a family besieged by folkloric monsters during the holiday season. Made with a relatively modest budget and cast with no major stars, Gremlins succeeded largely due to Joe Dante's idiosyncratic direction, Chris Columbus's novel script, and the ingenuity demonstrated by the team operating the film's inventive puppets. Ryan is joined by Rachel for a detailed examination of this enduring holiday staple. Discussion topics include classism, racial stereotypes, seasonal depression, the movie's relationship with the work of Frank Capra, how Gremlins stands in the wider filmography of Steven Spielberg, and whether Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) is superior to the original installment.