Gremlins Has the Most Violent PG Rating Ever Given

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Many people who grew up in the 1980s and 90s say things were tougher back then, and they have a point. Films made in the mid-70s and early 80s often tested the limits of what was acceptable content, without always earning an R-rating. Movies like Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark sometimes showed quick flashes of nudity or violent deaths, but still managed to stay within the PG rating. This made it difficult for parents to know what their children might see when taking them to a PG movie. Soon after, in 1984, things would change forever with the release of…

Following numerous complaints about the intensity of summer blockbusters like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Ghostbusters, and Gremlins (released in June), the MPAA began consistently using the PG-13 rating in July 1984. This marked a clear boundary for films with potentially mature content and fundamentally altered the film rating system. It effectively ended the practice of overly violent movies being rated PG, with Gremlins becoming the final and most intense film to receive that rating.

Gremlins Is Full of Monsters, Murder, and Mayhem

Although Gremlins wasn’t initially sold as a horror movie, it really leans into the genre. It starts with adorable, playful creatures that feel like a classic ’80s adventure, but things quickly turn chaotic and scary once the transformations begin.

The movie could have been silly with just playful gremlins – like dogs tangled in Christmas lights or monsters causing trouble at a bar. But it quickly becomes much darker. The gremlins not only kill poor Mr. and Mrs. Futterman (though they return in the sequel!), but they also violently throw the elderly Ms. Deagle out of an upstairs window, likely killing her.

During the final battle, even Stripe, the gremlin leader, is intent on killing Billy. Billy wouldn’t have survived without Gizmo’s help, as Stripe attacks with weapons like guns and chainsaws. The movie quickly becomes incredibly chaotic and frightening, likely too intense for young viewers. Stripe’s death is particularly gruesome – he screams, melts, and ultimately dissolves into a puddle.

Beyond the immediate danger, Kate reveals the heartbreaking reason for her Christmas aversion to Billy. She recounts a childhood tragedy where her father, while dressed as Santa Claus, fell down the chimney, suffering a fatal injury. They didn’t discover what happened for several days.

The Gremlins Franchise Has Lightened Up Over the Years

The Gremlins movies have become less frightening over time. While the original film had a real edge, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, directed by the same director, Joe Dante, leaned more into comedy, though it still kept the fun, imaginative sci-fi elements that made the first film special.

As a huge fan, I was so excited when Gremlins got a prequel series with Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai on HBO Max in 2022, and it really kept that same darkly funny vibe! It’s been a massive hit – both seasons have a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is amazing. We’re all hoping for a Season 3, and thankfully, the people behind the show seem open to the idea!

After years of talk and planning, the new Gremlins movie is finally scheduled to come out in 2027. Chris Columbus, who directed Home Alone and the first Harry Potter film, will be directing, and Steven Spielberg will produce. Because both Columbus and Spielberg were involved with the original Gremlins, the new movie aims to recapture the darker, more frightening tone of the first film, rather than the toned-down version seen in the animated series.

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2026-01-12 02:24