The Gremlins cast features Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates and Hoyt Axton. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Joe Dante’s 1984 movie on Disney+, HBO Max and Hulu. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Gremlins is set in the fictional town of Kingston Falls, Pennsylvania. After Randall Peltzer buys a pet mogwai, his son subsequently breaks the feeding rules. The narrative follows the main protagonists as they deal with a self-replicating mogwai crisis during the holiday season. Here’s every actor and character in Gremlins.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘First Blood’

Gremlins Cast: Zach Galligan as Billy

Character Profile: A bank worker. He receives a pet mogwai from his father. Billy breaks feeding rules and allows a former teacher to experiment on “Gizmo.”

Galligan’s Resume: Adam Beckett in Nothing Lasts Forever (1984), Rick Brogan in Surviving (1985), Mark in Waxwork (1988), Malcolm Knox in End It All Now (2016), Director/Zach in Madness in the Method (2019)

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Gremlins Cast: Phoebe Cates as Kate

Character Profile: Billy’s co-worker and girlfriend. She has a second job at a bar. Kate doesn’t like the holiday season because it reminds her of a traumatic childhood incident involving her late father.

Cates’ Resume: Linda Barrett in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Sarah in Paradise (1982), Christine in Private School (1983), Elizabeth in Drop Dead Fred (1991),  Sophia Gold in The Anniversary Party (2001)

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Gremlins Cast: Hoyt Axton as Randall Peltzer

Character Profile: Billy’s father. He is an inventor who buys a mogwai in a Chinatown neighborhood. Randall thinks of different ways to profit from his business ideas.

Axton’s Resume: Tex Roque in Heart Like a Wheel (1983), Father Levesque in We’re No Angels (1989), Sheriff Henault in Disorganized Crime (1989), Bill Stratton in Harmony Cats (1992), Huey P. Long, Sr. in Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long (1995)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Aliens’

Gremlins Cast: Polly Holliday as Mrs. Deagle

Character Profile: A widow. She is a grumpy woman who despises Billy’s dog, Barney. Mrs. Deagle gets attacked by a gremlin.

Holliday’s Resume: Flo Castleberry in Alice (1976-80), Lillian Patterson in Home Improvement (1993-99), Gloria in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Marva Kulp, Sr. in The Parent Trap (1998), Beryl in The Heartbreak Kid (2007)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘The Lair of the White Worm’

Gremlins Cast: Frances Lee McCain as Lynn Peltzer

Character Profile: Billy’s mother and Randall’s wife. She is initially supportive of her husband’s mogwai purchase. Lynn gets terrorized by gremlins.

McCain’s Resume: Ethel McCormack in Footloose (1984), Stella Baines in Back to the Future (1985), Mrs. Lachance in Stand by Me (1986), Mrs. Riley in Scream (1996), Judy in Patch Adams (1998)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Chinatown’

Gremlins Cast: Judge Reinhold as Gerald Hopkins

Character Profile: Billy’s co-worker. He is a confident man who tries to climb the corporate ladder. Gerald attempts to intimidate and belittle Billy.

Reinhold’s Resume: Elmo in Stripes (1981), Brad Hamilton in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Det. Billy Rosewood in Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Neal in The Santa Clause (1994), Davey in The Detour (2016)

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The Gremlins cast also includes:

• Dick Miller as Mr. Futterman
• Glynn Turman as Roy Hanson
• Keye Luke as Grandfather
• Scott Brady as Sheriff Frank
• Corey Feldman as Pete
• Jonathan Banks as Deputy Brent
• Edward Andrews as Mr. Corben
• Jackie Joseph as Sheila Futterman
• Belinda Balaski as Mrs. Harris
• Harry Carey Jr. as Mr. Anderson

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.