‘Gremlins’ and ‘Goonies’ Sequels Reportedly in Development at Warner Bros.

Everything we know so far about the potential new installments of ‘Gremlins’ and ‘The Goonies’

Movie posters for Gremlins and The Goonies | ©Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Movie posters for Gremlins and The Goonies | ©Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Prepare for a trip down memory lane! Warner Bros. is reigniting nostalgia with the reported development of new chapters in two of its most cherished franchises: Gremlins and The Goonies. Though specifics remain under wraps, the news has sparked a wave of excitement and speculation among fans. Here’s everything we know so far about these highly anticipated big-screen revivals.

A Glimpse into Warner Bros.’ Upcoming Projects

As reported by Deadline, Warner Bros. is developing a new Gremlins movie with Christopher Columbus on board. The studio is also working on a treatment for a new installment in The Goonies franchise. While details about these two big-screen projects remain scarce, this news is part of a larger overview of Warner Bros.’ plans for some of its most iconic properties, including The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and the DC Universe. Additionally, a sequel to the 1998 romantic fantasy Practical Magic, featuring the return of Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, is also in development.

The ‘Gremlins’ Franchise So Far

The Gremlins franchise, which began in 1984, quickly became a cult classic thanks to its unique blend of horror, comedy, and holiday cheer. Directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus, the original film follows a young man who unwittingly unleashes mischievous, destructive creatures after failing to follow the care instructions for his new pet mogwai. The original film’s success led to a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), which took the absurdity and humor to new heights.

A third Gremlins movie was previously in development at Warner Bros. in the 2010s, with Columbus attached; however, the threequel never materialized. Columbus’ involvement in the new Gremlins is of notable interest, considering that he had no involvement in the 1990 theatrical sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch or the animated Gremlins series that debuted on Max in 2023.

Titled Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, the first season of the animated prequel series follows a young Sam Wing, the original owner of Gizmo, in 1920s Shanghai, China. In the second season, subtitled The Wild Batch, the story shifts to San Francisco, introducing new adventures for the characters.

What’s Next for ‘The Goonies’ Franchise

Since its debut in 1985, The Goonies has remained a cherished classic, loved by fans across generations. Directed by Richard Donner and written by Steven Spielberg, the film follows a group of adventurous kids on a thrilling treasure hunt to save their homes from being seized by developers. With unforgettable characters, intricate puzzles, and an abundance of heart, The Goonies quickly became a cult favorite, solidifying its place in pop culture.

As for the future of the Goonies franchise, the upcoming movie appears to be in earlier stages compared to the Gremlins sequel, as it is still in the treatment phase. Typically, a treatment is used to pitch a movie to a studio before the full script is developed. At this point, it remains uncertain whether the new Goonies project will be a remake or a legacy sequel to the 1985 film, although the original cast has expressed interest in returning for a potential project.

In September 2024, original Goonies star Sean Astin shared a fan-made poster for a sequel titled Goonies Are Good Enough on X (formerly Twitter), alongside the caption, “It’s our time. C’mon Steven [Spielberg].” In a 2014 interview with Paranormal Pop Culture, Astin – who has been the most vocal of the original cast members regarding a Goonies 2 – revealed that director Richard Donner had expressed a desire to make the sequel. Sadly, Donner passed away in 2021 at the age of 91.

Ke Huy Quan, who played Data in The Goonies, has also spoken about the possibility of a sequel. In a January 2023 interview with Variety, Quan explained that the main obstacle to a Goonies 2 lies in finding the perfect script.

“You know, honestly, for the last 30-something years, we’ve tried to do a Goonies 2,” he revealed to Variety. “In fact, when I was much younger, I wished it would come to pass because that was the movie I thought I would need to make a career comeback. Honestly, we had numerous scripts, but there was not one script that felt like it would be up to what the original was. Sadly, we lost the captain of our ship, Dick Donner, who I love dearly. I really don’t know if there’s going to be a Goonies 2. But, I would be open to revisiting that character.”

The trailers for ‘Gremlins’ and ‘The Goonies’

If you need a refresher, you can watch the trailers for Gremlins and The Goonies below.

Gremlins | Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment
Gremlins 2: The New Batch | Gremlins Multiply | Warner Bros. Entertainment
The Goonies | 4K Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment

 

 

Sources: CBR, Paranormal Pop Culture, Variety