Gremlins

Dir. Joe Dante. 1984, 106 mins. DCP. With Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain. This dark comic gem, directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, is a cheerfully nasty throwback to fifties B-monster-movies in which a Rockwell-ready American town falls under siege at Yuletide to a horde of mischievous, murderous beasts. With its gruesome kitchen set piece (in which a lovable mom slices, dices, and microwaves a handful of the creatures) and unforgettably grim Phoebe Cates monologue about why she hates Christmas, Gremlins might not be for young children, but its subversive exuberance can make an adult feel like a kid again. Featuring wildly convincing practical puppet and stop-motion effects, which run the gamut from adorable to nightmarish, Gremlins helped ensure the invention of the MPAA’s PG-13 rating.

Tickets: $17.50 / $12 senior and students / $10 youth / free for MoMI members. There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership.

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission.