Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
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A sequel to the 1984 film follows the chaos that ensues when a group of mogwai are trapped in a high-tech skyscraper.
The story
Following the death of his owner, Gizmo the mogwai is captured by scientists at the Splice O' Life genetic engineering laboratory located in a high-tech skyscraper in Manhattan. Gizmo is rescued by his former owner, Billy Peltzer, and his fiancée, Kate Beringer, who both work in the building. However, a broken drinking fountain causes water to spill onto Gizmo's head, causing him to spawn a quartet of new mogwai. These creatures, which become gremlins after midnight, begin to wreak havoc within the skyscraper, forcing Billy and his allies to find a way to contain the growing threat before it spreads beyond the building's walls.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After Gizmo is rescued by Billy Peltzer and Kate Beringer from a genetic engineering lab, a broken fountain causes him to spawn four new mogwai. These creatures become gremlins after midnight and begin to wreak havoc in the skyscraper. The gremlins eventually consume various serums in the lab, leading to mutations: one becomes highly intelligent, one becomes female (Greta), one becomes a being of pure electricity, and another becomes a centaur-like spider hybrid. Billy, his neighbor Murray Futterman, and others must team up to stop the creatures. The situation escalates as the gremlins are bolstered by a storm and various mutations. Ultimately, Billy uses a fire hose and the electrical gremlin to neutralize the threat. While the building is saved, the eccentric owner, Daniel Clamp, is left alone on the top floor with the sole survivor, Greta, who attempts to entice him into marriage.
- First release year
- 1990
- Runtime (minutes)
- 106
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Joe Dante
- Writers
- Charles S. Haas · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Zach Galligan · Billy Peltzer; Phoebe Cates · Kate Beringer; John Glover · Daniel Clamp; Robert J. Prosky · Grandpa Fred; Robert Picardo · Frank Forster; Christopher Lee · Doctor Cushing Catheter
- Genres
- comedy; horror
- Themes
- satire of sequels; anti-corporate
- Tone and mood
- comedy; satire
- Premise and plot tags
- sequel; monster; parody
- Source material / true-story basis
- Characters created by Chris Columbus
- Franchise connections
- Gremlins
- Content notes
- horror
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews and has developed a cult following since its release.
- Awards and nominations
- Saturn Award · Best Director · Nomination; Saturn Award · Best Fantasy Film · Nomination; Saturn Award · Best Music · Nomination; Saturn Award · Best Special Effects · Nomination; Saturn Award · Best Supporting Actor · Nomination; Saturn Award · Best Supporting Actor · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film features a variety of pop culture parodies, including the Rambo franchise and The Wizard of Oz.; The film's score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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