10 Films Whose Novelisations Took On A Life Of Their Own

Before Steven Spielberg persuaded those involved to make it more family-oriented, Gremlins was one mean script. Not only did beloved imaginary childhood pet Gizmo transform into the villainous Stripe at the film's climax, he cut off the head of Billy Peltzer's mother and sent it rolling down a staircase.

But Spielberg was right in keeping Gizmo lovable, and the film still manages to be almost absurdly black around the time Phoebe Cates regales the audience with her nightmare Christmas memory.

So one can understand where George Gipe was coming from, working off some dark material that leaned on its horror roots more than its E.T.-side. In fact, the original script has more in common with Spielberg's abandoned Dark Skies, featuring malignant aliens.

Because, yes, the Gremlins are an alien species as evidenced by the lengthy prologue in Gipe's novelisation. There isn't much in the way of additional scenes once the film's script kicks in, however we are treated to conversations between Gizmo and Stripe that help flesh out a Gremlin's M.O.

That being said, it's not a great representation of the film its selling, just a supremely interesting diversion into an alternate universe where Gremlins was an alien invasion film.