While the recently departedHulk Hoganmay have had a checkered cinematic career (seeNo Holds BarredorSuburban Commando…or don’t), one of his movies has become a beloved cult classic. Starting next month, you’ll be able to watch it on its new streaming home.Gremlins 2: The New Batch,Joe Dante’s satirical 1990 sequel to his hit creature feature, is coming to HBO Max starting on August 1.
In the film, which is as much a spoof of the originalGremlinsas it is a sequel to it, Hogan turns up in a clever breaking of the fourth wall. In the film, the titular creatures are rampaging through a corporate high-rise that includes a movie theater…which then causes the actual movie to stop. An usher (Eating Raoul’sPaul Bartel) goes into the theater audience and finds a seated Hogan. The wrestler, once alerted to the problem, turns to address the Gremlins, telling them that “People paid good money to see this movie! When they go out to the theater, they want cold sodas, hot popcorn, and no monsters in the projection booth!” The Gremlins are not impressed, but when Hogan threatens to unleash his 24-inch pythons on them, they agree to play the rest ofGremlins 2.
What Is ‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch’ About?
Taking place several years after the original, in which the grotesque spawn of the adorable Mogwai creature Gizmo (voiced byHowie Mandel) rampaged through the town of Kingston Falls, the sequel finds Gizmo in the clutches of mad scientist Dr. Catheter (Christopher Lee). Catheter works at the Clamp Center, a high-tech skyscraper operated by the eccentric Daniel Clamp (John Glover). Luckily, Billy (Zach Galligan) and Kate (Phoebe Cates), Gizmo’s friends from the original film, work at the tower as well, and rescue him. Unfortunately, he’s spawned more Gremlins, and thanks to Catheter’s lab, they’ve been mutated to possess a variety of unusual abilities. What follows is a satirical romp through television, film, the materialism of the 1980s, andGremlinsitself.
Gremlins 2was a financial disappointment, grossing $41 million against a $30-50 million budget, and initially received mixed reviews. However, it has subsequently become a cult classic, owing to its anarchic wit and memorable cast of mutated Gremlins; it currently holds a 71% Fresh rating onRotten Tomatoes. In 2022, Collider’sBenjamin Crabtreewrote about how it paved the way forthe self-aware sequel.
Gremlins 2: The New Batchwillstream on HBO Max starting August 1. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
