Gremlins (1984)

Mrs. Peltzer clears a kitchen full of monsters with a blender and a microwave, and she’s the toughest hero in the whole movie. Joe Dante made a holiday family film with real teeth. The first half is cozy small-town Christmas with the cutest puppet ever built, and Gizmo still melts everyone in the room. The second half is a gleeful riot, with green troublemakers taking over the local bar and singing along in a movie theater. The weak spot is Billy, a nice guy with the personality of a holiday sweater, and Phoebe Cates gets stuck with a grim speech about why Kate hates Christmas that lands with a thud. Polly Holliday’s Mrs. Deagle is a perfect wicked-witch cartoon, and Dick Miller’s grumpy neighbor gets the best lines. The puppets still beat most modern effects. It made $153.6 million domestic on a reported $11M. An 8.0 because it’s funny, scary and sweet, even when the tone wobbles. $123.17 says you spill a glass of water near your pet this week and watch it very closely afterward.

What works: Gizmo is still irresistible, the gremlin puppetry holds up beautifully, and Joe Dante balances cozy holiday charm with real mischief.

What doesn’t: Billy is a bland lead, and Kate’s grim Christmas story is so jarring that the scene stops the movie cold.

Who it’s for: Families with kids old enough for a few scares, and anyone who wants a Christmas movie with a little chaos in the stocking.