146. Gremlins 2 (Patreon)

146. Gremlins 2 (Patreon)

From Rotten Horror Picture Show by The Pensky File

May 16, 2026 · 1h 33m

About this episode

Clay and Amanda discuss the chaotic nature and cultural significance of Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

This week on The Rotten Horror Picture Show Podcast , Clay and Amanda are giving listeners a special sample of their Patreon sequel coverage with a deep dive into the gloriously chaotic Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Directed by Joe Dante, this sequel takes everything from the original Gremlins and cranks it to absolute cartoon insanity—mutant gremlins, fourth-wall breaks, satire of corporate America, and enough anarchic energy to short-circuit an entire skyscraper. Clay and Amanda unpack why Gremlins 2 has gone from misunderstood oddity to beloved cult comedy, and how Dante basically used a studio sequel to make fun of studio sequels. Now, personally? I’ve always felt the Gremlins films could stand to be a little more topical. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a tiny green monster hijacking a cable access show as much as the next person, but where are the gremlins discussing modern infrastructure concerns? Where’s the scene where a gremlin spreads misinformation online? Why hasn’t there been a thoughtful subplot about housing costs? You’re telling me these creatures can genetically splice themselves into bat-gremlins and electricity-gremlins, but none of them has started an inflammatory…

People in this episode

Hosts: Clay, Amanda

Topics covered

  • Gremlins 2
  • film review
  • sequel analysis
  • corporate satire
  • cult comedy

Keywords

  • Gremlins
  • Joe Dante
  • film analysis
  • Patreon
  • cult classic

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Gremlins 2: The New Batch

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