Gremlins - Nostalgia Critic

MERRY CHRISTMAS! What's your favorite Christmas movies?

"Do I wish you a happy 9/11?" has to be one of the best lines you've come up with in years, great job!

Another Fun Fact: Originally, Stripe and Gizmo were the same character. This changed when executive producer Steven Spielberg insisted one of the Gremlins be a good guy with whom the audience could identify. Director Joe Dante expresses that this decision was the reason why the film is fondly remembered.

NICE!
The script was a lot darker and more violent than the final cut of the movie:
The Gremlins kill Billy's mom and they throw her severed head down the stairs after he comes home.
The Gremlins even kill and eat the family dog.
The gremlins even attack a McDonald's restaurant, but instead of eating the burgers, they kill and eat the customers.
The ending was going to have Gizmo transform into a Gremlin in order to fight off the leader, Stripe, but Steven Spielberg rejected the idea of seeing a cute character like Gizmo turning into a monster, as he wanted him to become the hero of the story.
This film as well as Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom are the reason why we have the PG-13 rating.

12:17 Rob pouring his heart out and not saying "Everything will be alright" is funny 😄😄😄😄

Kate's explanation of why she hates Christmas so much really sent shivers down my spine as a child, though it seemed darkly hilarious for a Christmas horror film. Billy doesn't look like he's even listening to her, and they even parodied it in the sequel. The epitome of Black Comedy.

A Controversial Fact: The Santa speech proved to be controversial and studio executives insisted upon its removal because they felt it was too ambiguous as to whether it was supposed to be funny or sad. Director Joe Dante however stubbornly refused to take the scene out saying it represented this movie as a whole, which had a combination of horrific and comedic elements. Executive producer Steven Spielberg did not like the scene, but despite his creative control, he viewed this movie as Dante's project and allowed him to leave it in.

It's interesting that Doug's computer was infected by Gremlins when he was editing the Gremlins review in the editing system.

I don't normally comment on such things but I want to say thank you Doug for this one. After a year losing my dad, my home, my job and my cat. I appreciate that you acknowledge the year that it's been and resonated very much with this. After spending this Christmas alone this video pulled the emotional strings. Just wanted to say thank you for this. As it's been the same for me. Just one thing after another... Thank you Doug

Okay, here’s a pitch for an ad: A Gremlin is running amok, until, he eats a Snickers, at which point it turns into Gizmo?

"Why are you working on the road, it's FINE!"
"It's Illinois. We don't need a reason."
As an Illinoisan, I felt that in my core.

I love it when Rob shows up. Every joke is just amazing!

The funny thing is, when they 'fan' rang up, it made me think of an email I sent to AVGN, thanking him for genuinely being a great inspiration and his videos helping me get through a really rough patch, and how kind he was in his response, when she said AVGN I coughed up my drink laughing.

Fun fact Mogwai are basically In Chinese mythology, mogwai are demons or devils that are violent and often harm humans:
Origin: The word "mogwai" comes from the Cantonese word for "monster," "evil spirit," "devil," or "demon"

I honestly love how gizmo is the only obedient mogwai in the pack.
Not wanting to destroy anything his hosts have and care about.
Whilst every other mogwai is an absolute disaster.

17:09 the dead dad dressed as Santa story actually gets more sad when back in 2020 there was a news report about this very thing…dad dressed as Santa, tried going down the chimney, got stuck, died, and wasn’t found until New Years… you know that family doesn’t watch gremlins at Christmas time…or anytime…

Jackie Joseph and Dick Miller were casted as the Futtermans by Joe Dante as an homage to the original Little Shop of Horrors. Jackie was Audrey and Dick was a customer who ate carnations. Plus, Dick was obligated to be in every movie involving Roger Corman or an alumni of his.

I'm really happy to hear the Critic got a studio again. I was so worried that this year had just did such a number on him that he was giving up, but I absolutely love the skits and getting a bunch of people together for projects. And speaking as someone who has had a rough couple of years, the ending "message" is just what I needed to hear. I've been in a situation where I just keep getting news that is worse and worse. For my own sanity, I can't be in this same situation this time next year, so I'm kind of on the precipice of some choices that are either going to be jumping off the cliff or just major gamechangers. And the reminder that things might keep getting bad, but statistically something has to go right, yeah I need it

22:10 Congratulations on getting a new studio, Critic!
And Merry Christmas!

What's funny is that, as a kid, I used to be DEATHLY afraid of this movie, but now it's one of my favorite Christmas films. The scene with the mother fighting the gremlins originally scared me a lot, but now it's my favorite part of the movie. Love it to this day!
And before I forget, Merry Christmas, Doug!!!! 🎄

Illinois and Michigan have one thing in common: road construction is done for no reason

"And thats how I learned theyre was no Nostalgia Critic"- Phoebe Cates in a alternate timeline maybe.

"Gremlins" is one of my all time favorite film franchises! Zach Galligan did an outstanding job as Billy, and of course the Mogwai used to scare the crap out of me as a kid. But I did love the lore about the Mogwai, it was very interesting.

Ok, the construction worker going "Louder! Louder!" gotta be one of my alltime favorite jokes ever.

i have a psycho Chihuahua called gizmo, he's cute until food is involved then he thinks he's mike tyson

I firmly believe that as soon as the Gremlins set foot outside into the snow they would have started to multiply as the snow melted on their skin into water because I highly doubt the Gremlins were colder than frozen water. It would have made for a completely different and more terrifying movie.

Another Fun Fact: The Gizmo puppets were particularly frustrating because they were smaller, and thus broke down more. Consequently, to satisfy the crew, a scene was included in which the gremlins hang Gizmo on a wall and throw darts at him. This was included on a list that the crew created known to them as the "Horrible things to do to Gizmo" list.

I do have a for real story about what the Critic means to me. I discovered his videos in 2012. My dad had a stroke and I had to leave college and move back home to take care of him and the family business, and I was really really depressed. I discovered the Critic and I binged all his videos and all the videos from Nostalgia Chick and all the others, and every video he's done since. They helped me through a hard time so really thank you for doing your stuff...

I Sympathize with you Doug, 2024 was a personally awful year for me too.

21:08 Nice attention to detail. Both AVGN and NC made reviews of the Wizard.

“The mother is pretty badass.”
If only we had more mothers like this in horror movies, instead of the cliche gets killed off for cheap character development.

Been so rough this year we didn't even decorate. No Tree. Heck, We didn't even put stockings up. Still had a good time besides all that. It just feels like life's wonder, and whimsy. Is just being sucked from the earth. This definitely helped bring some of that holiday goodness back. Thank You Nostalgia Critic, and Team For Over a DECADE of entertainment. We can't wait to see what's next. Much Love, Peace Out!

When I was going through really bad autoimmune flare-ups last year, I would turn on your review videos to calm me down / give me something to feel better about when I had to be in the ER waiting to see someone. I wish I could help you back somehow, but know that you really do have people out there who you’ve gotten through stuff!

Doug, I feel you with 2024 being a beyond terrible year. Lost my mom to cancer in February. Nearly lost my husband’s mom to sepsis in March. She barely survived but has to relearn everything. In June my van blew its transmission, costing thousands to repair. In August I got demoted at work because my boss up and decided 5+ years of hard work & loyalty mean Jack and she wanted to hire a friend to fill my position as assistant manager. In November just two days before what would have been my mom’s birthday, her brother-in-law, my closest uncle died (so my Aunt lost her sister & husband in the span in less than a year).
I want… so much for 2024 to be over with. I’m so… very… very tired. Wishing you and yours a happier 2025 Doug. Been a fan since you started the original thatguywiththeglasses . Here’s to a brighter future for us all.

Heard you had to revive a dead SD card for this one, it's a Christmas miracle this came out on time.

Gremlins is more of a Christmas film than Die Hard, Die Hard could have taken place in any month and still be a good film. It was actually a plot point in Gremlins !

At least the Gremlins were watching the original Snow White. I think they'd hate the trailers for the remake.

It's amazing how many voice actors were the Mogwi and Gremlins. Bob Bergen (Porky Pig and Luke Skywalker in several Star Wars Games), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime, Eeyore, the king from Voltron), even Michael Winslow from Police Academy was in there, and Stripe was voiced by Frank Welker (Megatron, Dr. Claw, Freddy Jones).

Oh how I’ve waited so patiently for this one.

To quote the late great Norm MacDonald and something i'm sure Phoebe Cates might be thinking about is "Last Christmas, I got the worst gift a guy ever gave me. He gave me a lottery ticket... what's the guy even thinking there. Here you go... nothing! Merry Christmas! It's nothing!"

Of course! There's a Gremlin in your studio! That's why things keep going wrong

Gremlins originated in World War One, when British fighter pilots were suspicious enough to blame plane breakdowns on mythical creatures. Monstrum did a video explaining them in more detail.

12:54 Brotherly love! Can you tell?😅

I started watching you in 2006/2007, Doug! You've helped me find my comedic voice, inspired my dreams and gotten me through 5 breakups, a million depressive episodes and 1 toxic relationship. We love you guys!!! It's gonna get better my dude - everything WILL be alright!! ❤❤

Finally found the hard rock song Doug uses for the introduction of certain movies, including this one: It's called Dude Bro by Silent Partner.

Doug, I've been looking forward to what your heartfelt holiday message would be this year. While I've been keeping festive and bringing some cheer to my friends like I always do this time of year, there's this ominous specter of how bad 2025 is going to be that my mind sometimes thinks "why bother celebrating when things could soon take a turn." That's probably why I've been taking to heart lately messages from Christmas movies, specials, and songs about hope and the beauty in life, but yours always feel so personal. "Something will happen at some point in the future, but for now you can just enjoy it" is a good way of looking at things for people having the same struggle.
So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the Channel Awesome crew and fans, and congrats on getting back in the studio.

A Christmas classic made for the whole family

I have also loved The Nostalgia Critic for such a long time. My first video of his I watched was his Inspector Gadget review, and it was so funny. Ever since then he always makes me laugh no matter what I feel. I hope you have a better year Critic cause you are truly one of the best RUclipsrs ever. Merry Christmas

The mum being a badass, and killing the gremlins in the kitchen, and the old lady being launched into midair, still stick with me, years after having originally seen it.

1:10 As someone who grew up in Illinois, I can confirm this is accurate

One of the more underrated Amblin produced films out there. I know people like it, but it doesn’t get talked about on the same level as something like Goonies or Back To The Future

Kate going into her traumatic experience about Christmas out of nowhere gotta be top 10 ‘what is blud yapping about’ moments

As a longtime fan who first learned of your show back in 2008 via the AVGN vs NC back and forth videos you guys did before the final battle, the punchline to Mandy’s call had me cackling like a madman.
Jokes aside, I actually agree with everything she said, both in regards to you and James. It makes me so happy you’re still out here putting in all this effort to entertain us. It’s been an absolutely fantastic 16 years watching you, and here’s to many more! Merry Christmas to Doug and the crew ❤

I should not have seen this as a kid. The last monologue where the dad goes, "So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz, your washing machine blows up, or your video recorder conks out, before you call the repairman, turn on the lights, check the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds. Because you never can tell. There just might be a gremlin in your house." is why I can't sleep in the complete dark. Heck, even a nightlight wasn't enough, I'd have a table lamp on.

21:36 that is such a delightfully dark humored joke. I love it

To be fair, NC’s The Wizard review has one of the best twist ending gags to any online review I’ve seen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, CRITIC!

That intro honestly hits hard considering all the celebrity deaths, me dealing with loneliness, and the election happening this year.

I never noticed this was actually the same town that was used for Back to the Future until recently

Gremlins
The only movie where the middle aged woman that slowly walks through the halls with a knife at some point ISN'T the villain

9:46 we need a Phineas and Ferb Christmas special review

Yeh ive been watching nostalgia critic since about 2012 so since i was 9 ik he wont see this message but hes arguably one of the pioneers of youtube and has brought us so many laughs for over 15 years... much love and keep ur head up and enjoy ur work
Merry christmas everyone have a happy new year

"Do I wish you a happy 911?" is such a good line

“Sometimes good things just happen!” I started laughing and crying at the same time!
My love and best friend, Andy, introduced me to your channel ages ago and the December he passed away, when my Mom asked what Christmas movie I wanted to watch, I needed Gremlins, too!

It’s so surreal now to see the old footage of you with a brown goatee, now that I’ve gotten so used to the greying in your facial hair. It’s maybe the ONE thing that’s changed about you since you first shaved your head.

"Gizmo, CaCa". Best quote of the movie...hahaha

previously was _What You Never Knew About Gremlins_ and now its a Nostalgia Critic episode

That punch line in "the phone call" was brilliant. That sketch at the end did sum up my feeling on your work, Doug.
Thank you for the laughs, thought provoking analysis and simple escapism over the years.
I'm not sure just how much truth there is in this video but if, in fact, things are rough right now. I hope peace comes into your life soon.
Tough times don't last but tough people do.
Keep at it, man. You do make a difference and you do matter to a lot of people.
And if this was all sketch and things are well, that was still an excellently executed review!

Thanks for another year of Nostalgia Critic Doug! Hope you, Malcolm, Rob and the rest are all having a Merry Christmas!
From a faithful fan since the Batman & Robin review!

Not me crying at the call from a fan. Your stuff has comforted me, been what I fall asleep to, my background noise for my studies and so much. I hope you do feel appreciated because I know I appreciate you all at channel awesome ❤

Phoebe Cates -was- is so cute, even with the bucktooth smile in Drop Dead Fred.

The most realistic thing about this video is of course, the fan calling to say how much the AVGN means to them only to lose interest when they hear it's NC. If there's anything that's still true to life, it's that. The part that tipped me off about the upcoming twist, though, was them saying how long they've been watching. Nobody that ever remembers anything Doug put out that long ago still cares, watches or has any respect left for Doug.
Most of the only people that even watch Channel Awesome now are all the new people that just discovered him, like in the last 4 years, who didn't even know about the document nor cared or assumed Doug had some kind of redemption arc of some kind (though never once publicly apologized to anyone or ever attempted to make amends with anyone stabbed in the back by him, funny) because anyone still here or here now are mostly the same kinds of people that watch an X-Men show or movie and complain about not wanting politics shoved at them, or still love Harry Potter while openly admitting they don't care what kind of person Rowling is. i.e: The See, Hear, Speak No Evil monkeys of the internet who would rather expect reality to never apply to them or their media, because having standards is too hard.
I mean, James Rolfe never ended up being the deciding vote to fire someone because they were on pregnancy leave or didn't respond to a skype call in 10 minutes.
Basically what this all amounts to is that Doug using his poor real life misfortunes as the framing device in a review that I'm supposed to feel bad for him about doesn't really hit that hard for anyone with more than 4 years of context about NC. Or anyone that sat through The Wall review. Either or.

"Here, have Gremlins"
Santa Christ-2013

"...And it's at times like this, when you think nobody's there for you, you could just dissapear and not even leave an impact." *Exit stage left.
Comedy gold.

"Its Illinois we dont need a reason" yep that sums up Illinois perfectly 😂😂😂

12:19 That skit with Rob had me HOWLING. 😂😂😂

As a kid, I asked my mom if she could get me a Gizmo for a pet.

Honestly Critic, as odd as it sounds, this may be my new favorite Christmas review. I am having a very bad Christmas and my family all left to spend it elsewhere leaving me alone to take care of the house. I also have been struggling with myself and where I am in life, leaving me in this deep depression and apathy. I even had a breakdown before watching this review and felt this was the worst Christmas so far.
But like before, you never failed to make me laugh even when I'm in tears. And the message of this review was a great coincidence for me to hear. A lot of bad things have been going on in my life. And while I do have to suffer through the punches right now, eventually something good will come along. While I would prefer it to be now than later, I at least had your review to give me a brief relief from it all. From someone who has been a fan since your Swan Princess review, I thank you for years of laughter and for helping me find a new appreciation for films as an art.
I guess there is an odd magical thing about Gremlins that can shape a bad Christmas into a decent one.

The line about depending on the videos really hit hard. I lost my job a while back and knowing you videos come out on Wednesday really help me keep the days straight.
Even when i dont agree with a review, I'm always at least entertained. While i watch a lot of the older reviews while i fall asleep, i watch the 2016 Ghostbusters review every now and then for a purpose. I thought that movie was really bad and felt i should let people know. After that review, i realized i should just let people enjoy what they like and chill out. I rewatch it to remind myself. I think it was also the catalyst for changing to the Everything Great About videos, instead of Everything Wrong With. The Fansctiption stuff inspired me to work on a rewrite of Superman V Batman. I swear ill finish it.....someday.
Thank for what you do and enduring the troubled times. The review must go on.

Best thing about this movie for me: when the Gremlins released on DVD my grandma bought it for me and my sibling. We were 7 and 9 years old. We also knew NOTHING about this movie. She told us it was a 'kids Christmas' movie. So we watched it, starting the movie around 9pm so we could watch it and go to bed, and it scared the SH1T out of us both! I didn't sleep the entire freaking night especially because the film ends stating if you hear something in your house it could be gremlins!

Funny how both Doug and Andre make a Gremlins video on Christmas day 2024

Tbh I've been watching you for years. I'm glad you put and episode everyweek. I legit look forward to it. I'd be sad if you were gone.

Gremlins released in the summer to avoid getting passed up with other Christmas specials, that certainly helped the box office, then they rereleased it in theaters at some point

"It's Illinois, we don't need a reason!" Hahaha. I lived outside Chicago for about a year and it was still plenty long enough to laugh at that one. BUT everything is going to be okay, Doug! Just try to keep your chin up. We love you! And merry christmas!

There are so many "Mandy" fans out there, Doug who echo the sentiment! In uncertain times, your videos are a reliable escape. Thank you for all the years of hilarity and Merry Christmas!

12:17 - 12:53 Rob: brother of the year 😂

Legit laughed a TON at the side gags this episode. Even if I saw the punchline coming your deliveries made it SO frickin funny XD thank you for the laughs Doug and gang

Thank you, Angry Video Game Nerd.

Y'know, all jokes aside, that little skit with the fan calling in... honestly, Doug, that kinda is how I feel about your reviews. I'm not kidding when I say that basically is word-for-word my story, I found your stuff back around 2010 or so and I became a big fan at a time when my life was rough, and every single week, I look forward to Wednesday so I can watch your new review.
All that to say, happy holidays to you and yours, and I hope things get better soon, and stay that way as long as possible. God knows we all deserve it.

The last nostalgia critic review for 2024 too

Merry Christmas, Doug! Thanks for being there throughout the years.

0:34 HAPPY HOLIDAYS CRITIC!!!!

NC your videos have saved my life on several occasions when the thoughts were clear and present it my head that I don't want to be here on this planet.
I was in a deeply similar rough place about 8 years ago when I found your channel and binged all of your content from before then, and I have been an avid fan ever since.
I even have a playlist of my favorite videos to play to wind down in the evening.
I resonated so much with this video, and thank you for all of the work you put in to make this amazing content! 💜🙏🏾

A Perfect Alternative Christmas Movie for the Holidays and after 40 Years, it still holds up!

I cannot express how much joy this movie brings me (and how much it has for many years) since my parents first showed it to me in middle school. In the years following then then, we got a dog who we named "Gizzy" after Gizmo, and I have a life-sized evil gremlin replica made from the original moulding used to make the ones in the film. That is how much of an impact this movie has had in our family and how much of a favorite it is for us.

I still have this Film on VHS, as well as getting a DVD Double Feature of this and its Sequel, Gremlins 2: A New Batch (which I hope he will review it soon).

As a fellow Illinoian, GOD I felt that opening as I look out my window and see road work blocking off the road on the entire side of a railroad.
But YAY! Gremlins! Time for fun!

I read that the Director and his Crew HATED, making this film. They were low on budget, the animatronics break down a lot(hence on the money problem), and sometimes actors actually get hurt.
But strangely, they all had a blast making the Sequel. My guess they had a lot more money for the budget, the Gremlin animatronics worked a lot better, tons of Easter Eggs, and they were making fun of the first film.
Not to mention the sequel wasn’t holding back on the craziness, and cartoon physics. And I actually loved the sequel more the first film.

Even though I liked the 2019 studio more. The 2025 studio is bringing a bit of nostalgia for the 2013 studio(however, the 2019 studio was bigger). But now I kinda want to see Doug grow his hair back because not only did it affect his characters like general zod and uncle lies, but he also had cool sideburns. So, since this new location might bring back memories of a previous one, it's only fair that Doug should bring back his full head of hair as well(even if it was thinning).

Merry Christmas, Doug!!