10 Classic Movie Monsters With Unexpected Origins

10. Gremlins' George The Mogwai Was Modelled On Edward G. Robinson

The gremlins were the pre-eminent cutesy critters of 80s cinema, for though there were many imitators released in the wake of Joe Dante's classic creature features, the overpowering charm of the Gremlins films cannot be denied.

In a rare case of a sequel easily bettering its predecessor, 1990's Gremlins 2: The New Batch saw Dante ratcheting up the campy satire to intoxicating levels as he threw every madcap idea he had at the screen to see what stuck.

And honestly, most of it does, best of all the dozens if not hundreds of unique gremlin designs: there's a spider-gremlin, a bat-gremlin, an electronic-gremlin, a sexy-gremlin and even a super-smart-gremlin, among so many more.

Then there's George, who in his big-lipped, cigar-chomping gremlin form, was in fact modelled after legendary gangster actor Edward G. Robinson, as confirmed by Gremlins star Zach Galligan.

It's easily missed if you're not much of a 1950s film noir buff, but absolutely uncanny once you realise - those lips are unmistakable.