Mia Warner Remember those wide-eyed, chattering fuzzballs that took over the holiday season in 1998? I sure do! My sister’s Furby kept our whole family up at night with its mysterious midnight babbling. But something about those big ears and expressive eyes always reminded me of another pop culture icon – Gizmo from the movie Gremlins. The resemblance was so striking that I’ve always wondered: were Furbies actually based on Gremlins? Let’s dive into this fascinating piece of 90s nostalgia and uncover the truth behind these eerily similar creatures.
The original 1998 Furby (left) and Gizmo from Gremlins (right) share striking similarities
The Origin Stories: Furbies vs. Gremlins
The Birth of Gremlins (1984)
Before we had Furbies chirping in our bedrooms, there was Gizmo the Mogwai. The 1984 horror-comedy film “Gremlins,” directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, introduced us to these adorable yet potentially dangerous creatures. The film featured Gizmo, a cute, furry Mogwai with big ears and expressive eyes that, when improperly cared for, spawned mischievous Gremlins.
The movie became a massive hit, grossing over $153 million worldwide. Gizmo, voiced by Howie Mandel, quickly became a beloved character, with his cute appearance contrasting with the film’s horror elements. The success led to a sequel, “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” released in 1990, further cementing these creatures in pop culture history.
The Furby Phenomenon (1998)
Fast forward to 1998, when Tiger Electronics (later acquired by Hasbro) released what would become one of the most sought-after holiday toys of all time – the Furby. These electronic pets featured big eyes, prominent ears, and a beak-like mouth. They spoke “Furbish,” a made-up language that supposedly evolved into English over time as they “learned” from their owners.
Furbies became an instant sensation, selling 1.8 million units in 1998 and an additional 14 million in 1999. Parents fought in toy store aisles to get their hands on these interactive pets, making them the must-have toy of the season. Their popularity continued well into the 2000s with various iterations and redesigns.
Uncanny Resemblance: Design Similarities That Raised Eyebrows
The facial features of both creatures show remarkable similarities
When Furbies hit the shelves, many consumers immediately noticed their striking resemblance to Gizmo from “Gremlins.” The similarities were hard to ignore:
Physical Appearance
- Large, expressive eyes that dominated their faces
- Prominent, oversized ears that moved
- Small, beak-like mouths
- Furry bodies with similar proportions
- Similar color patterns on many models
Behavioral Traits
- Both made cute chirping and cooing sounds
- Responsive to human interaction
- Expressive personalities
- Mysterious “language” capabilities
- Both activated unexpectedly (though Furbies didn’t multiply when wet!)
The resemblance was so obvious that it didn’t take long for people to start asking questions. Were these similarities just a coincidence, or was there something more to the story? As it turns out, the creators of “Gremlins” had the same questions.
The Legal Drama: When Warner Bros. Came Knocking
The limited edition Gizmo Furby released in 1999 after the companies reached an agreement
The similarities between Furbies and Gizmo didn’t go unnoticed by Warner Bros., the studio behind “Gremlins.” Soon after Furbies became a hit, the studio approached Tiger Electronics about the resemblance. This could have resulted in an ugly legal battle, but what happened next was quite unexpected.
“Funny you should ask. Producer Mike Finnell and I noticed a certain similarity between Furby and Mogwai, and pointed it out to Warner Bros. Soon there was a Gizmo Furby for sale and, no doubt, some settlement money changed hands.”
Instead of pursuing a lawsuit, Warner Bros. and Tiger Electronics formed a partnership. In 1999, they released a special limited edition Furby directly modeled after Gizmo. This official Gizmo Furby featured the actual voice of Gizmo from the movies and was limited to approximately 250,000 units worldwide.
The release of this special edition Furby essentially confirmed what many had suspected – the original Furby design was indeed inspired by Gizmo from “Gremlins.” The partnership was a win-win situation: Warner Bros. received compensation (though the exact terms were never publicly disclosed), and Tiger Electronics got to capitalize on the “Gremlins” connection with an official product.
Collector’s Corner: The Value of Gizmo Furbies Today
A mint-in-box Gizmo Furby can fetch hundreds of dollars from collectors today
The limited edition Gizmo Furby has become a highly sought-after collector’s item. If you happen to have one tucked away in your attic, you might be sitting on a small treasure.
| Condition | Estimated Value (2023) | Rarity |
| Mint in Box (Sealed) | $200-$600 | Very Rare |
| Complete with Box (Opened) | $100-$200 | Rare |
| Loose (Working) | $50-$150 | Uncommon |
| Loose (Non-working) | $20-$50 | Common |
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What makes the Gizmo Furby particularly valuable to collectors is not just its limited production run but also its status as tangible evidence of this fascinating crossover between a blockbuster movie and a revolutionary toy. It represents a unique moment in pop culture history when two iconic creatures from different eras merged into one collectible item.
Beyond the Official Story: Fan Theories and Speculation
Fan theories about the Furby-Gremlin connection have flourished online for years
While the official Gizmo Furby confirmed the connection between the two creatures, fans have developed their own theories about the relationship between Furbies and Gremlins. Some of these theories go beyond simple design inspiration:
The Marketing Conspiracy
Some fans believe the similarity was an intentional marketing strategy from the beginning. By designing Furbies to resemble Gizmo, Tiger Electronics could tap into existing “Gremlins” nostalgia without initially paying licensing fees, generating buzz through the controversy.
The Shared Designer Theory
Another popular theory suggests that designers who worked on the “Gremlins” creature effects later contributed to the Furby design, bringing their aesthetic sensibilities with them. While there’s no official confirmation of this, the design language is remarkably consistent.
The Parallel Evolution Theory
Some argue that both designs simply hit upon the same “cute formula” – large eyes, expressive ears, and small bodies naturally evoke nurturing responses in humans. This theory suggests the similarities are less about copying and more about both designs optimizing for maximum cuteness.
The evolution of Furby designs over the years, with the Gizmo influence still visible
Regardless of which theory you subscribe to, the connection between these two pop culture icons has become an accepted part of 90s nostalgia lore. The Furby-Gremlin connection represents a fascinating case study in how ideas and designs travel through popular culture, sometimes leading to unexpected collaborations.
Cultural Impact: How This Connection Shaped Pop Culture
References to both Furbies and Gremlins continue to appear throughout pop culture
The Furby-Gremlin connection has had lasting effects on pop culture that extend beyond the toys themselves:
Influence on Toy Design
The success of Furbies helped establish a template for interactive toys that continues today. The big-eyed, expressive design language pioneered by Gizmo and popularized by Furbies can be seen in everything from Hatchimals to Baby Yoda merchandise. The formula works because it triggers our innate response to infant-like features.
Modern toy designers often cite both Gizmo and Furbies as influences, showing how this design connection created a lasting aesthetic in the toy industry. The “cute but slightly creepy” niche has become a recognized category in toy design, with many products deliberately straddling this line.
Pop Culture References
Both Furbies and Gremlins continue to be referenced in movies, TV shows, and online content. Shows like “The Simpsons,” “South Park,” and “Robot Chicken” have all featured parodies that play on the connection between the two. In 2019, a horror-comedy short film called “Furby” even reimagined the toys as Gremlin-like monsters.
The connection has also spawned countless memes and internet content, with “cursed Furbies” becoming a popular subgenre of online humor. These modified Furbies often lean into the more Gremlin-like aspects of their design, highlighting the enduring nature of this cultural crossover.
Many modern toys show the design influence of both Furbies and Gremlins
Did You Know?
In 2019, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of “Gremlins,” Warner Bros. considered releasing a new official Gizmo Furby, but the project was ultimately shelved in favor of other merchandise. Concept designs for this unreleased toy have become collector’s items in their own right.
Preserving Your Vintage Furby: Care Tips for Collectors
Proper storage and maintenance can help preserve your vintage Furby’s condition and value
If you’re lucky enough to own an original Furby or the rare Gizmo edition, proper care is essential to maintain both its functionality and collector’s value:
Storage Tips
- Always remove batteries when storing long-term to prevent corrosion
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fur discoloration
- Use acid-free boxes or display cases to prevent degradation
- Include silica gel packets to control humidity
- Keep original packaging whenever possible – it significantly increases value
Maintenance Tips
- Clean fur gently with a soft brush – never use water or cleaning solutions
- Test batteries before insertion to ensure they’re not leaking
- Exercise mechanical parts occasionally to prevent seizing
- Avoid exposing to extreme temperatures
- Keep documentation and accessories together with the toy
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The Verdict: Were Furbies Based on Gremlins?
The evolution from Gizmo to Furby to Gizmo Furby tells the complete story
After examining the evidence, the answer to whether Furbies were based on Gremlins appears to be a resounding yes. The official collaboration between Warner Bros. and Tiger Electronics to create the Gizmo Furby essentially confirms that the original Furby design was inspired by Gizmo from “Gremlins.”
Joe Dante’s statement about pointing out the similarities to Warner Bros., followed by the creation of an official Gizmo Furby and presumed financial settlement, strongly suggests that even the creators of “Gremlins” saw the connection as more than coincidental.
However, it’s worth noting that Furbies evolved into their own cultural phenomenon, distinct from their Mogwai inspiration. While they may have started as Gizmo look-alikes, they developed their own identity, lore, and place in pop culture history.
This fascinating connection between a 1980s movie creature and a 1990s electronic toy demonstrates how ideas travel through popular culture, sometimes leading to legal challenges, but often resulting in new creative collaborations. The Furby-Gremlin connection remains one of the most interesting examples of design inspiration and evolution in modern toy history.
Modern Furby designs still carry echoes of their Gremlin-inspired origins
Whether you’re a collector, a nostalgic 90s kid, or just curious about this piece of pop culture history, the Furby-Gremlin connection remains a fascinating example of how inspiration, imitation, and collaboration shape the toys and entertainment we love.
Quick Navigation
- The Origin Stories: Furbies vs. Gremlins
- Uncanny Resemblance: Design Similarities That Raised Eyebrows
- The Legal Drama: When Warner Bros. Came Knocking
- Collector’s Corner: The Value of Gizmo Furbies Today
- Beyond the Official Story: Fan Theories and Speculation
- Cultural Impact: How This Connection Shaped Pop Culture
- Preserving Your Vintage Furby: Care Tips for Collectors
- The Verdict: Were Furbies Based on Gremlins?
