"This Orson Welles Crap": Gremlins

In the third installment of Shelf Christmas-ism, Stephen unpacks the chaotic, campy, and utterly unforgettable Gremlins (1984). From adorable Mogwai to mischievous monsters, this Joe Dante-directed classic walks the line between horror and hilarity, offering biting critiques of consumerism, nods to Hollywood classics, and more Christmas chaos than you can shake a candy cane at. Join Stephen as he dives into the film’s zany tone, explores its surprising depth (yes, there’s a Marxist critique of consumerism in there), and revisits the infamous Santa speech that nearly derailed Christmas for countless kids. Along the way, he shares his own childhood memories of Gremlins—including a stuffed Gizmo and Hardee’s book promotions—and takes a critical look at the performances, the enduring appeal, and the undeniable flaws of this holiday creature feature. Is Gremlins a Top Shelf Christmas movie, or does it belong with the fruitcakes and re-gifted socks? Tune in to find out!