Billy receives a mysterious pet from his father for Christmas, known as a mogwai (voiced by Howie Mandell). Billy disobeys the only two rules that come with mogwais: don't feed them after midnight, and don't get them wet. One mogwai becomes many, and after they feast, they transform into gremlins, legendary creatures of mischief. Billy must save the town from the small troublemakers and win the girl of his dreams.

A fantastic start to a Christmas marathon, since it only vaguely has to do with Christmas. This is wholesome family fun, with only some slapstick violence... until the Gremlins get melted into puddles of ooze. Something about old Spielberg movies having suprisingly gross effects, it really takes me back. It's got a little something for everyone: wacky humor, dangerous monsters, and a racist old man. It takes more than a few shots at '80s pop culture references before a tragic Christmas death story. I rarely remember to put this on my marathon list, but I did this year, so make sure you revisit Gremlins this Christmas.

Of course, Gremlins 2 was made shortly after and takes place on New Year's Eve in the big city, so I might have to revisit that when the time comes.

 Side note: Imagine if Weta remade this. Mind. Blown.

Trivia

Two movies on the theater marquee:

• A Boy's Life - draft name for E.T. The Extraterrestrial
• Watch the Skies - draft name for Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Billy greets a Dr. Moreau on the street.

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