Friday, May 31, 2024, our Make it a Double series returns with a “Family Fright” screening of Gremlins at 6:30pm and Gremlins 2: The New Batch at 8:45pm, curated by the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.

Film lovers ages 13+ are invited to watch Joe Dante’s classic films from 80’s and 90’s with this frightful and delightful double feature and discover what happens when a friendly furball gets wet or dares to eat after midnight!

40 years ago, Gremlins (1984), a clever and naughty film, changed how we define family entertainment and helped bring about the PG-13 rating. 40 years ago, the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival began and screened films for children from around the world that FACETS hoped would change the way families saw and interacted with films as more than just entertainment. We are inviting film lovers ages 13 and up to take a second look at two fiendishly funny films, Gremlins and Gremlins 2, which have become spooky cult classics. 

Gremlins was a Christmas film that critiqued commercialism, parental neglect and satirized fantasy and fairy tales. It was as raucously funny as it was frightening. CICFF screens films from around the world made for children that open windows to other places and experiences and provide the opportunity to understand different points of view and appreciate film as art as well as entertainment.