Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Having moved to New York City after the Kingston Falls complete pandemonium in Gremlins (1984), the young couple of Billy and Kate now works for the money-grubbing tech-mogul, Daniel Clamp, in his colossal Clamp Tower high-rise. But, before long, Gizmo, the orphaned Mogwai, falls prey to the evil scientist, Doctor Catheter, and once more, a splash of water spawns hordes of the mischievous Gremlins that immediately start doing what they do best: wreaking havoc. Is there an escape from the onslaught of the new batch?
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $50.0M, earning $41.5M globally (-17% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Joe Dante's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Billy Peltzer
Kate Beringer
Daniel Clamp
Marla Bloodstone
Forster
Dr. Catheter
Grandpa Fred
Mr. Wing
Gizmo
Brain Gremlin
Main Cast & Characters
Billy Peltzer
Played by Zach Galligan
Kind-hearted inventor working in a high-tech corporate tower who must stop another gremlin outbreak.
Kate Beringer
Played by Phoebe Cates
Billy's pragmatic girlfriend who works as a tour guide in the Clamp Tower.
Daniel Clamp
Played by John Glover
Eccentric billionaire media mogul who owns the state-of-the-art automated building where chaos ensues.
Marla Bloodstone
Played by Haviland Morris
Ruthless executive who wants to take over Clamp's company and demolish Chinatown for profit.
Forster
Played by Robert Prosky
Clamp's loyal and rigid head of security who struggles to maintain order during the gremlin invasion.
Dr. Catheter
Played by Christopher Lee
Mad scientist geneticist working in Clamp Tower who experiments on Gizmo and gremlins.
Grandpa Fred
Played by Robert Picardo
Aged horror show host who works in Clamp's cable network and provides comic commentary.
Mr. Wing
Played by Keye Luke
Wise old shopkeeper who originally owned Gizmo and warns about the consequences of carelessness.
Gizmo
Played by Howie Mandel
Adorable Mogwai with big eyes who is the innocent victim turned reluctant hero against evil gremlins.
Brain Gremlin
Played by Tony Randall
Highly intelligent gremlin who gained enhanced intellect from genetic experiments and becomes the gremlins' spokesperson.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Billy and Kate work mundane jobs in New York City; Gizmo is held in the genetics lab of Clamp Tower, a high-tech corporate building. The ordinary world shows Billy has moved to the big city but lacks agency.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Billy discovers Gizmo is being tortured in the genetics lab. This disrupts his complacent work life and demands he take action to rescue his friend from corporate experimentation.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The new Mogwai transform into Gremlins and break out of the lab. Billy must actively choose to stay and fight rather than flee the building. He commits to stopping the Gremlin outbreak in Clamp Tower., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The Gremlins take over the genetics lab and use it to mutate themselves, creating spider-Gremlin, bat-Gremlin, electric-Gremlin, and the intelligent Brain Gremlin. False defeat: the stakes raise dramatically as the creatures become smarter and more dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Gremlins completely overrun the building and take control of Clamp's media center, broadcasting their chaos to the city. Billy and his allies are cornered, seemingly unable to stop the horde. The dream of containing the outbreak appears lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Billy realizes they can use the building's automated systems to open the electric blinds and flood the lobby with sunlight. Clamp provides access codes. The synthesis: combine Billy's knowledge of Gremlin weaknesses with Clamp's technology and resources., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Gremlins 2: The New Batch's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Gremlins 2: The New Batch against these established plot points, we can identify how Joe Dante utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Gremlins 2: The New Batch within the comedy genre.
Joe Dante's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Joe Dante films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Gremlins 2: The New Batch represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joe Dante filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Joe Dante analyses, see The Howling, Explorers and Small Soldiers.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Billy and Kate work mundane jobs in New York City; Gizmo is held in the genetics lab of Clamp Tower, a high-tech corporate building. The ordinary world shows Billy has moved to the big city but lacks agency.
Theme
Daniel Clamp discusses his vision of automated, modernized corporate culture. The theme emerges: progress without wisdom leads to chaos; technology must be tempered with humanity and responsibility.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Clamp Tower as an ultra-modern smart building, Billy's job in the art department, Kate working in the building, and the genetics laboratory where Gizmo is being held. Introduction of various eccentric building occupants and corporate culture.
Disruption
Billy discovers Gizmo is being tortured in the genetics lab. This disrupts his complacent work life and demands he take action to rescue his friend from corporate experimentation.
Resistance
Billy rescues Gizmo and tries to hide him. He debates whether to keep Gizmo in the building or take him home, worried about the consequences. Water spills on Gizmo, creating new Mogwai who are fed after midnight by lab assistant.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The new Mogwai transform into Gremlins and break out of the lab. Billy must actively choose to stay and fight rather than flee the building. He commits to stopping the Gremlin outbreak in Clamp Tower.
Mirror World
Kate joins Billy in the fight; Daniel Clamp becomes aware something is wrong. The Mirror World relationship is the partnership between Billy and the building's occupants versus corporate indifference to consequences.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Gremlins running wild in a high-tech smart building. Chaos in the genetics lab, Gremlins multiplying, taking over various departments, sabotaging automated systems. Dark comedy and creature mayhem escalate throughout the tower.
Midpoint
The Gremlins take over the genetics lab and use it to mutate themselves, creating spider-Gremlin, bat-Gremlin, electric-Gremlin, and the intelligent Brain Gremlin. False defeat: the stakes raise dramatically as the creatures become smarter and more dangerous.
Opposition
The mutated Gremlins spread throughout the building with intelligence and purpose. Brain Gremlin leads them. Billy, Kate, and others are hunted. The building's automation works against them. Clamp remains in denial until confronted with undeniable proof.
Collapse
The Gremlins completely overrun the building and take control of Clamp's media center, broadcasting their chaos to the city. Billy and his allies are cornered, seemingly unable to stop the horde. The dream of containing the outbreak appears lost.
Crisis
Billy processes the apparent defeat while trapped. He must find inner resolve. The group regroups and realizes they need to use the building's own technology against the Gremlins, but doubt lingers about whether it will work.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Billy realizes they can use the building's automated systems to open the electric blinds and flood the lobby with sunlight. Clamp provides access codes. The synthesis: combine Billy's knowledge of Gremlin weaknesses with Clamp's technology and resources.
Synthesis
Billy executes the plan, luring the Gremlins to the lobby. The electric blinds open, sunlight destroys the Gremlin horde. Final confrontation with Mohawk Gremlin. The building is saved through teamwork and using technology responsibly. Clamp learns humility.
Transformation
Billy stands with Kate and Gizmo outside the now-safe Clamp Tower. He has proven himself capable and responsible. Clamp has learned the dangers of unchecked progress. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows growth: Billy is no longer passive.