I have no clue how many of you consider this a Christmas movie, but I do. It's probably the film that I watched most times around Christmas. I remember it being one of a handful of films that were programmed on Dutch TV at the end of the year, in the early to mid 90s or so. Other very popular films were Home Alone and E.T.
As you might notice from the title, this is a follow up to an earlier write up that you might enjoy: Black Christmas- Not Your Average Christmas Movie - Part 1
How I got to Love Horror Films
If I think about it, Gremlins was probably my introduction to the horror movie genre and a very fun one. In fact, I consider it to be the film that made me fall in love with the horror genre. A genre that I - until that time - only knew from books. I had read hundreds of horror books - the complete kids horror section of my hometown's library - before I got to watch my first horror film. I'm pretty convinced that that film was Gremlins.
The Horror Comedy
This subgenre of horror is easily one of my very favorite subgenres in film history.
[note to self: let's write an extended post on horror comedies in the (near) future]
From Peter Jackson's Braindead, Bad Taste and Meet the Feebles (see my earlier post), from Critters (more adult horror comedy) to Killer Klowns from Outer Space, from Motel Hell to the Evil Dead trilogy, from Child's Play to Beetlejuice and so on and so on. Without a doubt, many of my dearest movie memories come from watching horror comedies.
"Nah, I'm not a fan of horror movies. I don't think I'll like Gremlins..."
I guess loads of people - especially those who say they aren't really into horror - don't realize that horror and humor are often closely related. Most horror films aren't to be taken too seriously and are filled with humor (whether it's more - or less - visible).
Seriously, how can you not enjoy these horror comedies, especially those from the 80s?
Classic Horror Comedies from the 80s
Gremlins is probably one of the most famous horror comedies to be remembered by kids from the 70s and 80s. If you're born in the 90s - and you're reading this - let me know in the comments if you ever heard of this movie. If you're born in the 70s or 80s - I myself am from 1981 - I don't even need to ask you that question. Unless you slept under a stone during your teenage years.
Gremlins and Christmas
This classic horror comedy takes place around Winter. I guess it was actually released around Christmas. Let me look that up... I found out it was released just before Christmas in a dozen countries but the official release in the USA took place in June. Interesting.
This classic is from 1984 and was directed by Joe Dante, who also brought us a couple of other horror comedies, namely Piranha (1978) and the werewolf movie: The Howling (1981). Gremlins was by far his most successful movie. With a budget of 11 million, it grossed around 150 million dollars in the United States alone.
The film was apparently produced by Steven Spielberg - which isn't that surprising, especially in the 80s. Spielberg is probably (still) one of the most known names in cinema worldwide. He has a list of classics behind his name, both as a director and a producer. In the 80s to early 90s he produced a handful of horror classics, including Gremlins(1984), Poltergeist (1982) , Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Arachnophobia (1990) and Gremlins 2 (1990).
It's not my intention to explain the story of Gremlins to you. I was mainly hoping to either bring back sweet memories or introduce a movie to you that - in case you had never heard of it - should be on your to watch list, preferably for Christmas.
In case you aren't convinced yet, the following clip might give you the final push (ignore the subtitles, the timing is off):
[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgfgiLlW-yw)Let me end this post with a little anecdote from the mid 90s:
At the time, my little brother, who is now taller than me, was probably 5 years old. I was watching Gremlins and got him to watch it with me. Although he was clearly too young for horror, I tried to explain the film to him in such a way that he wouldn't to be scared to death.
I remember explaining a particular scene - where Stripe the most evil one of the Gremlins - dies in a fountain. He changes into a nasty substance and I told my little brother that the creature was turning into Brinta (a famous Dutch brand) porridge.
A couple of hours ago, I asked my brother for his memories of Gremlins. This is what he said:
(translated from Dutch)
(I remember)...that you told me he changed into porridge.
I guess it worked. Or maybe not. He never really got into horror movies.
That's it for today's walk into memory lane.
If you have any Gremlins or horror comedy memories to share with me, please do so in the comments. Or - if you get to watch Gremlins later - please update me on your findings!
Gremlins - Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeCTB-hE1co
Source
#### Possible further reading:
http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/08/10-reasons-why-gremlins-is-the-best-christmas-movie-ever-6309023/
http://scottmoviereviews.blogspot.nl/2012/08/gremlins-1984.html
An extensive list of Horror Comedies:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_comedy_horror_films _
This section of Wikipedia clearly needs work
Image at the start of the post: Source
