If you search for the cast of Gremlins, you quickly run into a problem: the franchise now covers two classic live-action films, an animated prequel series, a second animated season called The Wild Batch, and an upcoming third movie. That makes it surprisingly easy to confuse the original actors with the newer voice cast—or assume that a confirmed Gremlins 3 cast has already been announced when it has not.
This guide brings the major pieces together. You’ll find the original Gremlins names, the returning and new faces in Gremlins 2: The New Batch, the voice cast of Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, the cast of The Wild Batch, and what is actually known about Gremlins 3. It also explains where key original performers are now and clears up popular searches such as the “smart gremlin” and “twins” in Gremlins 2.
Most importantly, the article separates confirmed casting from fan speculation, so you can understand the franchise without having to sort through conflicting cast lists.
Who is in the original Gremlins cast?
Released in 1984, Gremlins combined comedy, horror and Christmas fantasy around Billy Peltzer and the unusual creature Gizmo. Joe Dante directed the movie from Chris Columbus’s screenplay.
The central cast includes:
- Zach Galligan — Billy Peltzer
- Phoebe Cates — Kate Beringer
- Hoyt Axton — Randall “Rand” Peltzer
- Frances Lee McCain — Lynn Peltzer
- Polly Holliday — Ruby Deagle
- Corey Feldman — Pete Fountaine
- Dick Miller — Murray Futterman
- Keye Luke — Mr. Wing
- Judge Reinhold — Gerald Hopkins
- Jonathan Banks — Deputy Brent Frye
- Glynn Turman — Roy Hanson
- Howie Mandel — voice of Gizmo
These names form the core answer when someone searches for “cast of Gremlins names.”
One useful detail is that the movie’s creatures were not simply treated as conventional human characters with digital effects. Gizmo and the Gremlins were heavily dependent on practical creature work, puppetry and voice performance. That physical approach became an important part of the franchise’s identity.
Who played Billy and Kate?
Zach Galligan played Billy Peltzer, the young man who receives Gizmo and becomes responsible for controlling the increasingly dangerous situation.
Phoebe Cates played Kate Beringer, Billy’s girlfriend and one of the most important human characters in the original film.
Their characters returned in Gremlins 2: The New Batch, helping connect the two live-action movies rather than turning the sequel into a completely separate story.
Gremlins 2 cast: who returned?
Gremlins 2: The New Batch arrived in 1990 and deliberately took the franchise in a more exaggerated, satirical direction.
The major returning cast members included:
- Zach Galligan — Billy Peltzer
- Phoebe Cates — Kate Beringer
- Keye Luke — Mr. Wing
- Dick Miller — Murray Futterman
- Jackie Joseph — Sheila Futterman
- Howie Mandel — voice of Gizmo
The sequel also introduced a much larger collection of human characters and genetically altered Gremlins.
Among the notable new performers were Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, John Glover, Haviland Morris, Robert Prosky, and Leonard Maltin, alongside several other recognizable performers.
Who is the smart gremlin in Gremlins 2?
The character commonly called the smart gremlin is The Brain Gremlin, voiced by Tony Randall.
He is one of the most distinctive creatures in Gremlins 2 because he speaks intelligently and behaves differently from the ordinary Gremlins. His sophisticated speech is part of the sequel’s joke: instead of simply creating monsters, the film imagines Gremlins developing wildly different personalities and abilities.
Tony Randall’s performance gives the character a polished, almost intellectual personality that contrasts with the chaos surrounding him.
That is one reason searches for the “Gremlins 2 smart gremlin” often lead people to the character rather than to one of the human actors.
Who are the twins in Gremlins 2?
Another frequently searched detail is the Gremlins 2 twins.
The sequel contains multiple unusual Gremlin transformations, so “twins” can refer to the paired creature imagery rather than a famous pair of human twin characters. The movie’s expanded laboratory setting allowed the filmmakers to introduce a much wider variety of mutated Gremlin designs.
This is an important distinction when searching cast lists: not every memorable Gremlin has a separate human performer credited in the same way as Billy or Kate. Some creature characters are combinations of puppetry, effects work and voice performances.
Who is in Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai?
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai changed the format completely. Instead of continuing Billy’s modern-day story, the animated series travels back to 1920s Shanghai and follows a young Sam Wing before he becomes the Mr. Wing seen in the original film. Sam meets a young Gizmo and begins a dangerous journey.
The main voice cast includes:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Izaac Wang | Sam Wing |
| A.J. LoCascio | Gizmo and additional Mogwai |
| Ming-Na Wen | Fong Wing |
| B.D. Wong | Hon Wing |
| James Hong | Grandpa Wing |
| Gabrielle Nevaeh Green | Elle |
| Matthew Rhys | Riley Greene |
| George Takei | Noggin |
| Simu Liu | Chang |
| Yael Grobglas | Margot |
The series also features performers such as Eric Bauza, Dee Bradley Baker, Grey DeLisle, Bowen Yang and others in recurring and supporting roles.
Why is Sam Wing important?
Sam is not just a new character created for the animated show. He is connected directly to the mythology of the original movie because the adult Mr. Wing was the shopkeeper who possessed Gizmo decades later.
That makes Secrets of the Mogwai more than a simple spin-off. It functions as a prequel that expands the history of Gizmo and the Wing family.
A particularly interesting casting connection is Zach Galligan. Although he does not return as Billy for the animated series, he has a voice role in the franchise’s television continuity. IMDb notes that Galligan is credited across the three franchise installments in which he appears, despite not reprising Billy in the animated prequel.
Gremlins: The Wild Batch cast
The second season is known as Gremlins: The Wild Batch. It continues the animated story and expands the cast with additional characters and guest performers.
Among the performers associated with the second season are:
- Izaac Wang — Sam Wing
- A.J. LoCascio — Gizmo and other Mogwai
- Gabrielle Nevaeh Green — Elle
- Ming-Na Wen — Fong Wing
- B.D. Wong — Hon Wing
- James Hong — Grandpa Wing
- Simu Liu — Chang
- Will Forte
- Keith David
- Kelly Hu
- Ronny Chieng
- Jimmy O. Yang
- John Glover
- Michael Paul Chan
The wider voice cast includes performers such as Sandra Oh, Randall Park, Bowen Yang, Timothy Olyphant and George Takei.
One especially nice franchise connection is John Glover. He appeared as Daniel Clamp in Gremlins 2 and later became part of the voice cast associated with The Wild Batch.
That kind of crossover is easy to miss if you look only at a season-by-season cast list.
Where is the original Gremlins cast now?
The phrase “cast of Gremlins where are they now” is usually about the performers who made the 1984 movie memorable.
Zach Galligan
Galligan remains closely associated with Billy Peltzer. He has continued working in film and television and has remained publicly connected to the Gremlins franchise.
His relationship with the franchise is particularly notable because he has continued to appear in later Gremlins projects even when Billy himself is not the character being portrayed.
Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates became one of the most recognizable stars of 1980s cinema, but she later stepped away from acting more extensively. She is now far less visible on screen than during the height of her acting career.
Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman continued to build a long career in film, television and entertainment following his childhood roles, including his appearance as Pete in Gremlins.
Dick Miller
Dick Miller became one of the most recognizable character actors associated with Joe Dante’s movies. His death in 2019 marked the loss of one of the franchise’s familiar supporting performers.
Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel went on to become a major television personality, comedian and host while continuing other entertainment work. His connection to Gremlins remains especially memorable because of his voice performance as Gizmo.
Keye Luke
Keye Luke, who played Mr. Wing, had a long career spanning film and television. His portrayal of the mysterious shopkeeper became an essential part of the original movie’s mythology.
The important point is that “where are they now” does not mean every original actor returned to the franchise. Some continued acting, some moved into different areas of entertainment, and some have died since the original film.
Is there a Gremlins 3 cast yet?
This is where many online cast lists become misleading.
Gremlins 3 is officially scheduled for November 19, 2027, but a full starring cast has not been announced. Warner Bros. announced the film in November 2025, with Chris Columbus directing and producing, while Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein are co-writing with Columbus. Steven Spielberg is returning as executive producer.
So, at this point, it is more accurate to separate confirmed production information from rumored casting.
What is confirmed?
- Title: Gremlins 3
- Release date: November 19, 2027
- Director: Chris Columbus
- Screenplay: Chris Columbus, Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein
- Executive producer: Steven Spielberg
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
The theatrical release date and key creative team have been officially reported, but the studio has not disclosed a complete starring cast.
This is one of the most important practical tips when researching the movie: do not treat rumored actors as confirmed Gremlins 3 cast members unless Warner Bros. or a similarly authoritative production announcement confirms them.
What makes the Gremlins cast unusual?
The franchise has an unusual casting history because it has effectively developed three generations of performers.
1. The original live-action generation
Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Keye Luke and the other 1984 performers established the human world around Gizmo.
2. The expanded sequel generation
Gremlins 2 added a much larger ensemble and gave individual Gremlins distinctive personalities. The Brain Gremlin, for example, became memorable specifically because Tony Randall’s voice transformed a creature into a recognizable character.
3. The animated generation
The television series introduced younger versions of established mythology, with Izaac Wang playing Sam Wing and A.J. LoCascio voicing Gizmo. It also brought together established actors and newer voice performers.
This explains why a search for “cast of Gremlins film series” can produce very different names depending on which installment is being discussed.
Three details fans often miss
First, the franchise is not simply a Billy-and-Gizmo story anymore. The animated series significantly expands the mythology by exploring Sam Wing’s earlier relationship with Gizmo and the Wing family.
Second, the sequel deliberately treated the Gremlins almost like an ensemble cast. Rather than one generic group of monsters, Gremlins 2 created recognizable creature personalities, including the Brain Gremlin and several visually distinct mutations.
Third, Gremlins 3 is not merely a rumor anymore. For years, discussions about a third movie circulated without a firm theatrical date. That changed in November 2025, when Warner Bros. put the film on its release schedule for November 19, 2027. However, the existence of the movie should not be confused with a confirmed complete cast—the latter has not yet been announced.
Common mistakes when searching for the Gremlins cast
When researching the franchise, watch for these common errors:
- Mixing actors with voice actors. The animated series has a completely different primary cast.
- Treating Gremlins 2 characters as actors. Several memorable creatures are voice/effects creations rather than conventional human roles.
- Assuming every original actor is returning for Gremlins 3. No complete cast announcement has been made.
- Confusing The Wild Batch with a separate movie. It is the name associated with the second season of the animated Gremlins series.
- Using old Gremlins 3 rumors as current news. The project has changed considerably over the years, so older casting stories may no longer represent the current production.
FAQ
Who was in the original cast of Gremlins?
The main original cast included Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer, Phoebe Cates as Kate Beringer, Hoyt Axton as Randall Peltzer, Frances Lee McCain as Lynn Peltzer and Keye Luke as Mr. Wing. Howie Mandel provided the voice of Gizmo.
Who is the smart Gremlin in Gremlins 2?
The smart or talking Gremlin is commonly known as the Brain Gremlin, voiced by Tony Randall. His intelligence and sophisticated personality make him one of the most recognizable creatures in Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
Who voices Gizmo in Secrets of the Mogwai?
A.J. LoCascio voices Gizmo in Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. The animated series also stars Izaac Wang as Sam Wing, Ming-Na Wen as Fong Wing, B.D. Wong as Hon Wing and James Hong as Grandpa Wing.
Is Gremlins 3 coming out in 2027?
Yes. Warner Bros. has scheduled Gremlins 3 for theatrical release on November 19, 2027. Chris Columbus is directing and producing, Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein are co-writing, and Steven Spielberg is returning as executive producer.
Has the Gremlins 3 cast been announced?
Not as a complete starring cast. The film’s release date and principal creative team have been announced, but Warner Bros. has not yet publicly disclosed the full cast. Claims that particular actors are definitely starring should therefore be treated as unconfirmed unless backed by a later official announcement.
Conclusion
The cast of Gremlins has grown far beyond the original 1984 ensemble. Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Howie Mandel and Keye Luke established the live-action foundation, while Gremlins 2 expanded the concept with memorable creature personalities such as the Brain Gremlin.
The animated Secrets of the Mogwai and The Wild Batch then introduced a new generation of performers while exploring Gizmo and Sam Wing’s earlier history. Meanwhile, Gremlins 3 is now officially scheduled for November 19, 2027, although its complete cast remains unannounced.
For anyone researching the franchise today, the simplest approach is to keep confirmed cast, recurring franchise actors, and speculation separate. That distinction makes the complicated Gremlins casting history much easier to follow—and prevents old rumors from being mistaken for current news.
