What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGremlins
Joe Dante · Film · 1984
If you loved Gremlins, start with Tales from the Crypt (William M. Gaines, 1989) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Gremlins across media.
What hooked you in Gremlins was the way a small, quiet town environment descends into chaotic, darkly humorous supernatural pandemonium.
Books on the same thread
Hansel and Gretel
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1986
Explores: Poverty, Abandonment, Survival.
Much like the cautionary tale woven into Gremlins, this story features children facing the consequences of dangerous, unexpected encounters within a setting that feels deceptively ordinary and threatening.
Little Red Riding Hood
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1981
Explores: Predation, Deception, Naivete.
If you enjoyed the subversion of innocent tropes in Gremlins, you will appreciate this dark fairy tale that transforms a familiar domestic scenario into a grim and predatory reality.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
While the scale is grander, you will find the same spirit of an unlikely protagonist thrust into a dangerous, rule-bound world that defines the adventure in Gremlins.
Jaws
Peter Benchley · Book · 1974
Shares a thread with Gremlins: Creature Feature.
This novel captures the same anxiety of a peaceful community being invaded by a lethal threat as seen in Gremlins, focusing on the frantic struggle for local survival.
Series on the same thread
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Explores: Government Experiments, Telekinesis, Monsters.
You will recognize the atmosphere of Gremlins in this story of a small town unravelling as secret, supernatural forces breach the boundaries of everyday suburban life and safety.
Tales from the Crypt
William M. Gaines · Series · 1989
Shares a thread with Gremlins: Horror Comedy.
This anthology perfectly mirrors the macabre humor and moral irony found in Gremlins, delivering short, punchy tales that embrace the darker side of holiday and creature-based chaos.
Goblin
Kim Eun-sook · Series · 2016
Explores: Immortal Being, Fate vs. Free Will, Forbidden Love.
Fans of Gremlins who appreciate the intersection of the supernatural and the modern world will enjoy this exploration of how an extraordinary being disrupts a human life.
Community
Dan Harmon · Series · 2009
Explores: Community, Friendship, Self-Discovery.
If the chaotic ensemble dynamics of Gremlins appealed to you, this sitcom offers a similar sense of camaraderie amidst the absurdity of a highly dysfunctional and isolated community.
Podcasts on the same thread
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
This podcast shares the cynical, sharp-edged commentary on human irresponsibility and systemic failure that serves as the biting, satirical backbone beneath the creature antics of Gremlins.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
If you enjoy the unfiltered, unpredictable energy that drives the narrative of Gremlins, this conversational format provides a similar raw engagement with the strange and the unexpected.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What happens if you break the three rules in Gremlins?
In the 1984 film Gremlins, breaking the three specific rules regarding the care of an exotic pet results in the release of a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures. These creatures proceed to terrorize the small town where the protagonist lives after he receives the animal as a gift.
Is Gremlins about a Christmas gift gone wrong?
Yes, the plot of Gremlins centers on a young man who receives an exotic small animal as a Christmas gift. He inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning the care of this new pet, which leads to the unleashing of a horde of mischievous creatures on his town.
Does Gremlins feature a horde of creatures?
Yes, Gremlins depicts a situation where a young man breaks three rules regarding a new pet. This mistake causes a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures to be unleashed upon a small town, serving as the primary conflict throughout the 1984 film directed by Joe Dante.
How do the creatures in Gremlins get loose?
The creatures in Gremlins are unleashed after a young man receives an exotic animal as a Christmas gift and fails to follow three specific rules. His inability to properly care for the pet leads to the horde of mischievous creatures escaping and causing chaos in the small town.