Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Campy horror sequel has unrelenting cartoonish violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say that this sequel shifts towards a more cartoonish and comedic tone, making it feel less like a horror film compared to its predecessor; many found it entertaining yet noted a lack of a cohesive storyline. While some reviewers enjoyed the unique and humorous mutations of the gremlins, others felt that the film's increased violence and silliness detracted from the original's charm.
- cartoonish tone
- more comedy
- uneven storyline
- entertaining mutations
- lacks horror
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Gizmo is removed from his Chinatown curio shop home after Mr. Wing dies and the shop is slated for demolition by billionaire developer and broadcaster Daniel Clump. He ends up caged in Clump Tower, where "mad" scientists prepare to conduct research on him. But when Gizmo's old friend Billy (Zach Galligan), who has moved to the Big Apple and is, coincidentally enough, employed in Clump Tower, realizes that Gizmo is in the building, he rescues him from the scientists. While forced into a business dinner, Billy sends his doting wife Kate (Phoebe Cates) to rescue Gizmo, but by the time she gets there, it's too late. Gizmo has gotten wet, thus unleashing an army of evil gremlins, who run amok in the skyscraper and threaten to take over all of New York City.
Is It Any Good?
GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH is surprisingly fun. While the first 30 minutes throws together just enough of a storyline to lead to the remaining hour of the movie (which is basically little more than sequence after sequence after sequence of gremlins getting into trouble in a Manhattan high-rise), this sequel mines a steady stream of laughs out of cartoonish violence and references to dozens of other movies.
It's a thin premise, but as the filmmakers knew, audiences don't watch sequels to Gremlins for deep character interaction -- they watch Gremlins sequels to watch gremlins going crazy destroying things. While there's lots of slapstick comedy, the movie also contains more sophisticated pop culture references and satire at the expense of moguls like Donald Trump and Ted Turner. It's a ludicrous, over-the-top kind of movie, and with the right expectations, it's the kind of movie that's enjoyable for its own sake.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about characters based on racial stereotypes. Why is it wrong to present characters in stereotypes based on their race, ethnicity, or gender?
How does this movie play with the conventions and "rules" of storytelling in movies?
How is the violence in the movie similar to and different from other horror movies?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 20, 2002
- Cast : John Glover , Phoebe Cates , Zach Galligan
- Director : Joe Dante
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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