If you want to introduce your kids to the world of the Mogwai, then you’ll want to start with the Max series Gremlins: The Wild Batch. Actually, there’s a different series to start with, but it’s not the original movies from the 1980s.
The Gremlins movies are great, and you should definitely check them out with the family. However, neither of them affects anything in the animated shows that are aimed toward the younger members of the family. As adults, though, there are some great mentions of rules we all learned from the 1980s movies, and there are some Easter eggs thrown in there.
Don’t watch Gremlins but do watch Gremlins: The Secrets of the Mogwai
Before you watch Gremlins: The Wild Batch, you’ll need to watch Gremlins: The Secrets of the Mogwai. The movies aren’t as important to watch first because the animated series is a prequel rather than a sequel. We don’t follow on the story of Billy and Gizmo, although Zach Galligan, who played Billy in the movies, does voice a henchman in the animated series.
Gremlins: The Secrets of the Mogwai is the first season of this sequel series. It introduces us to Sam, Elle, and Gizmo. We get to see how they meet, and we see the start of the adventure and the need to protect the Mogwai in 1920s Shanghai. Gremlins: The Wild Batch is a continuation of that story, with the first five episodes already available to stream, so make sure you watch them first as well.
When will Gremlins: The Wild Batch Part 2 drop on Max?
There isn’t long left to wait for the second half of the season. All five episodes of Gremlins: The Wild Batch will arrive on Max on Thursday, April 10.
The episodes build on top of everything that we have learned and seen throughout The Secrets of the Mogwai and the first episodes of The Wild Batch. You’ll be confused if you jump straight into it. I can guarantee, though, that the kids are going to adore the wild adventure.
After all that, tune into the Gremlins movies. They can be a little dark, so I’d recommend them for older kids, such as tweens and teens, but they are a lot of fun and will allow your kids to understand the origin of some of the popular phrases related to the flick that we still utter today!
Gremlins: The Wild Batch Part 2 drops on Max on Thursday, April 10.