The way American families cook, snack and gather around the table is shifting faster than the dinner bell can ring. Three food trends are reshaping home kitchens in 2026: a protein push that touches every meal, the rise of grazing over sit-down dinners and a renewed focus on slipping vegetables into food kids actually want to eat.

For parents juggling sports schedules, hybrid work and after-school chaos, these changes are not just lifestyle tweaks — they are the new playbook for feeding a household.

Why Protein Is Leading Food Trends in 2026

Protein has graduated from gym-bag territory to the center of the family plate. Parents are building meals around it first — eggs, chicken, Greek yogurt, beans and tofu — and rethinking what goes in the lunchbox.

Kid-friendly snacks are following suit. Crackers are giving way to jerky, yogurt pouches and protein muffins. Breakfast, long the most carb-heavy meal of the day, is now the most protein-heavy in many homes.

Sarah Jenkins, writing for The Seattle Times, put it this way: “Protein remains a dominant force in what consumers buy and cook. One recent trend report names powerhouse protein as the top consumer driver for 2026, highlighting nearly 60 percent of global consumers seek protein for overall health across meals and snacks.”

That nearly 60 percent figure helps explain why supermarket aisles, restaurant menus and meal-kit services are all leaning into high-protein options at once.

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How Grazing Is Replacing the Traditional Family Dinner

The three-meals-a-day structure that defined the American household for generations is loosening its grip. In its place: smaller, more frequent eating moments that fit the rhythm of modern family life.

Snack plates — fruit, cheese, a protein, a dip — are stepping in for lunch on busy days. After-school grazing boards are becoming a household norm. The shift maps neatly onto schedules built around remote work, hybrid routines and back-to-back activities.

Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju, writing in The Washington Times, described the change this way: “This has real implications for how families cook and eat together. The sit-down dinner isn’t disappearing entirely, but it’s no longer the only model. Staggered work schedules, after-school activities, and the sheer unpredictability of modern life mean that getting everyone to the table at the same time is harder than ever. For busy households, having a rotation of ‘mini meals’ on hand, foods that can be eaten alone or assembled into something larger, may be more realistic than insisting on a 6 p.m. gathering every night.”

In other words, the dinner table is not gone. It is just sharing space with the kitchen island, the back seat and the after-practice couch.

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Why Hidden Vegetables Matter for Picky Eaters

The third trend tackles the oldest battle in family kitchens: getting kids to eat their vegetables. The new approach is less about negotiation and more about integration.

Michael Allen, CEO of Kidfresh, summed up the shift: “Hidden veggies, visible impact: Parents love when vegetables are integrated naturally into meals kids actually enjoy. The goal isn’t to hide nutrition; it’s to make it delicious and a seamless part of the eating experience.”

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That framing — nutrition as a feature of food kids already want, not a punishment tacked onto it — points to where packaged foods, recipes and meal planning are headed in 2026.

What 2026 Food Trends Mean for Family Kitchens

Taken together, these trends sketch a clear picture of the 2026 family kitchen, protein-forward, schedule-flexible and quietly nutrient-dense. Breakfast carries more weight. Lunch may look more like a board than a plate. Vegetables show up where kids are already happy to eat.

For parents trying to keep up, the takeaway is less about overhauling the pantry and more about giving permission to adapt — to swap the rigid dinner hour for a rotation of mini meals, the cracker pack for a protein muffin and the vegetable standoff for a meal that just happens to include broccoli.

Tony Goldwyn played two-term president Fitzgerald Grant III on Scandal, but would he ever consider tackling the job in real life?

“Do people constantly ask you to run for president in real life?” Goldwyn’s Scandal costar Kerry Washington asked her former TV love interest, 66, during the Saturday, June 6, episode of Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series.

According to Goldwyn, he “generally” gets asked about any political ambitions while standing “on a street corner.”

“I used to say thank you so much, but that’s a really bad idea,” he added.

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For six years, fans witnessed Kerry Washington’s Scandal character Olivia Pope solve the impossible. The ABC drama quickly changed the landscape of TV — even after it concluded in 2018 after 7 seasons. Created by TV mogul Shonda Rhimes, Scandal follows Olivia Pope as she launches a crisis management firm. She left her position as […]

Washington, 49, took a different stance on the issue.

“I don’t think you would be a terrible president, to be honest,” Washington, who starred as Olivia Pope on Scandal, noted. “You’d assemble a really wonderful Cabinet and team around you. And you care!”

Goldwyn, who affirmed that he would care about the gig, noted his plans to enlist Washington for a cabinet position.

“You would not bring me. I would not be available,” she joked. “You’re such a nice guy, clearly.”

Scandal, created by producer Shonda Rhimes, followed a D.C. fixer named Olivia Pope amid her on-and-off affair with Fitz despite his presidency and marriage. Scandal wrapped in 2018 after seven seasons, with Olivia and Fitz getting back together.

“They weren’t the healthiest couple,” Washington admitted on Saturday’s episode. “That doesn’t mean they weren’t madly in love, but they had some difficulties, which is why people loved it. What did you think about the ending?”

Goldwyn and Washington both concurred that they “loved” the finale story arc.

“I feel that Fitz and Olivia are together,” Goldwyn predicted of the beloved Olitz ship. “I feel that what we had at the root of it was very real, and it’s why we could never get away from it — as opposed to being something that was ultimately dysfunctional. I thought ultimately these two people were their answer to each other.”

While Washington similarly believes Olivia and Fitz finally made their romance work, she noted that they’d likely be in “couple’s therapy.”

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“Yes, regularly!” Goldwyn quipped. “Because they know that’s what they have to do to survive, but I think Fitz [also] spent some time in Vermont. He needed to get out of the toxic patterns. I think Olivia probably taught him how to make jam, but then when she ate his jam, she’s like, ‘Your jam sucks!’”

Regardless of Fitz’s lack of jam-making talent, Goldwyn was sure of one thing about where Olivia and Fitz ended up.

“I feel like he was very supportive of her trajectory — whether she became president of the United States or whatever her thing was,” he said. “I feel like his real jones was to help this woman be, like, her best self.”

Jennifer Fessler is revealing who has been on a recent apology tour after Summer House’s Ciara Miller claimed The Real Housewives of New Jersey star had sex with West Wilson.

“West did reach out and apologize profusely and called and apologized to my husband and kids,” Fessler, 55, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, June 5, while attending Nancy Davis’ Race to Erase MS Gala sponsored by L’Agence at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, referring to her husband, Jeff Fessler, and their two kids, son Zachary and daughter Rachel.

“But no, I haven’t gotten an apology [from Ciara],” she added. “But who cares at this point? It’s so stupid and not true.”

On May 8, Ciara claimed Jennifer slept with West after the Housewives star defended him amid the fallout surrounding his controversial relationship with fellow Summer House cast member — and her former BFF — Amanda Batula.

“[West] is the cutest, sweetest golden retriever puppy dog,” Jennifer said while attending Vulture’s The Masterminds of Reality TV event.

“Lol, because they slept together too,” Ciara posted via Threads, responding to Jennifer’s comments.

West denied Ciara’s claims via his Instagram Stories, writing “news to me” over a popular meme indicating confusion and tagging Jennifer.

A source close to West also denied the accusation, exclusively telling Us that the claim was “absolutely not true” while describing Ciara’s comment as nothing more than a “silly allegation.”

Jennifer also addressed the viral claim — and issued her own unexpected apology of sorts — via her own Instagram Stories.

“In all seriousness, and while I can’t help but be a little flattered, it is not nice nor is it OK to post something categorically untrue and defamatory on social media,” she wrote. “Regardless of whatever rumors or apparent ‘evidence’ led you to that conclusion, that is the definition of libel.”

She concluded at the time, “If it were true, I would have no recourse. Because it’s a lie, this can get more complicated. Having said that, I hope we can rectify this. It’s enough now.”

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On Friday, Jennifer revealed to Us that her relationship with members of the Summer House cast is effectively “over.”

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“I think that my relationship with those kids is probably, let’s call that over,” she told Us. “i’ve had enough. I’m not interested in mingling with the Summer House group. No, no, thank you.”

She added of her current relationship with her husband, “Everything was always well. He laughed at it. He laughed too much, I started to get a little pissed, like, ‘It’s not that funny, Jeff.’ But it really was so stupid. And I don’t know, maybe one day we’ll get an apology. We’ll see.”

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns reached out for some divine intervention before a key play in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

“I needed a stop,” Towns, 30, joked during a post-game ESPN interview following the Knicks’ 105-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, June 6.

Towns was shown on camera looking up to the heavens in a dramatic moment before his team’s final defensive play. The Knicks ultimately pulled out a squeaker victory in Game 2 when the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama failed to sink a jumper due to Mitchell Robinson’s blocking.

During the post-game interview, Towns clarified that he’d prayed for help from his late mother Jackie Cruz-Towns, who died at age 58 in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.

“It’s amazing as you go through life, you lose a parent, you just look for signs. I’ll take any sign I can get and I prayed to her strong before that possession,” he explained. “A great player got a great shot, it just didn’t go in. It’s great defense. Shout-out to Mitch, shout-out to our team. But I take it as a sign my mom was here with me so I appreciate her so much.”

Towns has frequently credited his mom with watching over him throughout the NBA Finals. Before Game 1, Towns told reporters that he “just felt a calm and a peace that I know had to come from the woman above.”

He also speculated on what it would have meant for his mom to see him make it to the NBA Finals because of her own story as an immigrant.

“It means a lot for my mother when she emigrated from DR [Dominican Republic] to New York,” he said. “Saw Madison Square Garden for the first time and saw the energy the city has for MSG and the Knicks.”

Towns revealed in March 2020 that both of his parents had tested positive for COVID-19. While the NBA star’s father, Karl Towns Sr., ultimately recovered, his mother’s health declined and she suffered a stroke.

Following her death, Karl-Anthony shared in a November 2020 vlog that he “pulled the plug” on his late mom when it was clear she would not recuperate.

“At that moment I pulled the plug and just let her pass,” Towns recalled. “They told me she may be alive another hour, maybe two.”

He remembered that Jackie eventually drifted into unconsciousness as family members spoke to her remotely via video calls.

“She was sent off with laughter,” he noted.

Karl-Anthony confessed at the time that he’d temporarily put his own grief on the back-burner to help his family deal with such an immense loss.

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“I think for me, I think if I was to say how am I coping and how am I healing from this, I’m trying to heal myself through others,” he explained. “I’m trying to do as much as I can for my sister and my father. Trying to take care of my friends, and I’m trying to heal myself through them.”

He added, “It’s helped, but I think that one day, and I know it’s creeping up, I feel it every day, it’s gonna creep up and I’m going to have to find a way to deal with it, actually. That’s why I wanted to do this [vlog]. I thought this would be therapeutic for me to admit that these things are real and how I feel is real and being able to try to find some normalcy. Life is a game, and I’m just playing one chess piece at a time.”

Karl-Anthony has experienced much happier times in recent years. In addition to making it to the 2026 NBA Finals, he announced his engagement to Jordyn Woods on Christmas Day in 2025 after five years of dating.

Richard Childress spoke out for the first time following his NASCAR driver Kyle Busch’s shocking death at age 41.

“Kyle will go down in history as one of the greatest race drivers that’s ever been,” Childress, 80, told reporters at the Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, June 6, per the Associated Press. “His legacy is that he was a man that a lot of people thought he was tough to deal with, and that he wouldn’t last long. He is a man that loves his sport.”

Busch spent the final three seasons of his career racing in the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). On May 20, Busch became unresponsive in Concord, North Carolina, while preparing for that weekend’s competition and was hospitalized.

NASCAR confirmed hours later on May 21 that the driver had died at age 41. (A death certificate obtained by Us Weekly confirmed that Busch suffered a “chain of events” in his final days, as bacterial pneumonia progressed into sepsis and intravascular coagulation, or small clots. By the time Busch died, he’d developed hemorrhagic shock due to blood loss.)

At Saturday’s press conference, Childress likened Busch’s death to that of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was killed at age 49 in a February 2001 crash. (Earnhardt spent 18 seasons on the RCR team.)

“You lose two of the greatest drivers that’s ever driven a car in NASCAR and to have to go through it again,” Childress told the media. “I just feel so bad for the family and the employees and everybody. But yeah, I mean, I haven’t slept very good lately.”

He reflected on his final phone call with Kyle the night before his hospitalization, revealing that he’d planned to offer the driver a contract extension.

Childress also said that he wanted to help Kyle guide the amateur racing career of his 11-year-old son Brexton Busch in hopes of the boy turning pro one day. (Richard Childress Racing announced on May 22 that it will retire Kyle’s No. 8 car unless Brexton chooses to race professionally some day.)

“Talking to Kyle at different times, knowing his plans and what he had in the future for Brexton and his family,” Childress said. “The many things that we all could have done together, that was probably the toughest part of this whole thing.”

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Earlier this week, Kyle’s wife Samantha Busch — with whom he shared Brexton and daughter Lennix, 4 — paid tribute to her late husband’s legacy in her first statement since his death.

“As a family, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you,” Samantha, 40, wrote via Instagram on Friday, June 5. “The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives. While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through each and every one of you.”

She wrote, “The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain. Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people. There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone.”

Halle Berry and ex-partner Gabriel Aubry put their complicated history aside this week for an important family milestone. The Oscar-winning actress was spotted attending daughter Nahla’s high school graduation in Los Angeles on Thursday, where she appeared to have an awkward run-in with Aubry, her former partner and the father of her now-18-year-old daughter.

The former couple split in April 2010 when Nahla was just 2 years old and later found themselves locked in a years-long child support battle. Despite their rocky history, Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry came together to celebrate their daughter’s big accomplishment.

According to the Daily Mail, Berry arrived at the ceremony with fiancé Van Hunt by her side. The couple, who have been together since 2020, appeared in good spirits for the special occasion.

Though the former couple’s interaction appeared somewhat awkward, both parents showed up to support Nahla as she marked the major milestone ahead of college.

Berry Previously Celebrated Nahla’s College Acceptance

The graduation comes months after Berry proudly celebrated Nahla’s early college acceptance on social media. Back in October, the actress shared a sweet Instagram video featuring a pink cake that read, “You did it, Nahla!!”

“Congratulations to my sweet angel Nahla for her early college acceptance,” Berry wrote at the time, though she did not reveal where her daughter plans to attend school.

Berry previously opened up about Nahla preparing for college during an appearance on “Today” in June 2025. “She’s 17. She’s going to a college summer program, the college that she’s hoping to go to next year,” Berry said.

While admitting she will naturally worry about her daughter leaving home, the actress said she is equally excited for Nahla’s future. “I’m not one of these moms that feels like, ‘Oh, she’s leaving.’ Yes, will I worry? Of course,” she said. “But am I excited for her to start her life and figure out who she’s gonna be? Absolutely. I’m dying to see who she’s gonna be and what she’s gonna do and what she’ll discover.”

Halle Berry And Aubry’s Child Support Battle Made Headlines

While Berry and Aubry’s relationship ended more than a decade ago, legal battles between the former pair stretched on for years after their split. In 2014, Berry was ordered by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to pay Aubry $16,000 per month in child support, along with a lump sum payment of $115,000.

Years later, the actress successfully had the monthly amount reduced to $8,000 in 2021, though she was also ordered to pay an additional 4.3 percent of any annual income exceeding $1.95 million. Court filings obtained by the Daily Mail in May 2023 later revealed Berry managed to cap that amount at $4.5 million.

Berry also shares son Maceo with ex-husband Olivier Martinez, whom she was also ordered to pay $8,000 per month in child support, in addition to 4.3% of any income she receives over $2 million.

Berry And Olivier Martinez Previously Spoke Out About Divorce

Berry’s split from Olivier Martinez also made headlines after the former couple officially filed for divorce in October 2015 following two years of marriage. At the time, the pair released a joint statement to PEOPLE addressing the difficult decision. “It is with a heavy heart that we have come to the decision to divorce,” they said. “We move forward with love and respect for one another and the shared focus of what is best for our son.”

The former couple also emphasized their desire for privacy as they navigated the breakup. “We wish each other nothing but happiness in life and we hope that you respect our and, most importantly, our children’s privacy as we go through this difficult period,” they said.

Halle Berry Said Van Hunt Changed Her Perspective On Motherhood

Years after her split from Martinez, Berry opened up about how her relationship with her fiancé, Van Hunt, has positively influenced both her personal life and her parenting.

During a 2021 interview with Women’s Health for the magazine’s December cover story, the actress reflected on finding happiness with Hunt after years of high-profile relationships. “I just feel fulfilled. I feel happy in my life romantically, as a mother, as an artist,” Berry said of her relationship with Hunt.

The Oscar winner explained that finding a healthier romantic dynamic ultimately made her feel like a better parent. “I’m a much better mother in this circumstance than I would have been had I stayed in a romantic relationship that didn’t serve me and didn’t make me feel the way I need to feel as a woman,” she shared.

Berry also stressed the importance of prioritizing personal happiness, explaining how it directly impacts her role as a mother. “I’m reminded that we always have to take care of ourselves first, because I can’t be a good mother for my children if I’m not fundamentally happy and feeling good about myself,” she added.

A recovery program based in Florida is receiving backlash after promoting former “Vanderpump Rules” star Jax Taylor as one of their newest ambassadors. The company shared a picture of Taylor on its Instagram and revealed that the Bravo reality star has developed a passion for educating others and supporting them on their sobriety journey.

Recovery Through Repetition recently shared that Taylor had become one of their latest ambassadors.

“As someone who has publicly shared his recovery journey and the strength it takes to face those challenges head-on, Jax understands the importance of support, resilience, and having a community that believes in you,” their post’s caption read.

“Through speaking at treatment facilities, addiction recovery groups, and participating in recovery and mental health-focused fundraising efforts, Jax has become a passionate advocate for breaking stigma, fostering connection, and encouraging others on their path to recovery,” it continued.

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According to RTR’s website, the company’s primary goal is to connect people in need of recovery with others pursuing sober lifestyles through fitness, community, and service.

“Our intention is to create a safe and supportive environment for anyone affected by addiction. RTR is a home away from home. We provide a range of workout classes and opportunities for community involvement, open to anyone,” it says online.

Some social media users argue that Taylor’s appointment contradicts the organization’s mission, with one writing, “Jax as an ambassador for sobriety seems like a stretch.”

Another said, “If I walked into recovery and Jax Taylor was my recovery ambassador, I would turn around and walk right back out. Anything would be better than getting taught by Jax.”

Jax Taylor Admitted To Struggling With Drug Use For Two Decades

Don’t forget, Taylor opened up about his struggle with cocaine use during a podcast appearance, according to a previous report from The Blast.

“I have substance issues—primarily with cocaine. It’s hard to say out loud,” he said, adding that he’s struggled with the drug for two decades.

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“I’ve never said this in my life,” he said. “So, to come out and say that I have an addiction [and] that I have a sickness that I have to work on the rest of my life is a really big deal for me.”

During a separate moment, the father of one revealed that he was using drugs and alcohol to mask a deeper problem: his mental health. “It’s just so overwhelming, so drinking and substances just helped,” he said candidly.

Taylor Was Fired From Another Bravo Show Amid His Struggles With Substance Abuse

Taylor’s struggles with substance abuse were shown on the second season of Bravo’s “The Valley.” Episodes captured the reality star checking into rehab and having challenging conversations with his friends about his future.

Bravo later announced that Taylor wouldn’t return to the series for season 3—a move designed to help the 46-year-old focus on his well-being away from the chaos of reality TV.

Last summer, Taylor opened up even more about his sobriety journey, vowing never to touch drugs again.

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“I know for a fact — and I know you’re not supposed to say it — but I know for a fact I will not touch drugs and alcohol again,” he said. “I know that. I have no interest in it. I’m not triggered by it.”

Continuing, Taylor shared that his new “drug” of choice was AA meetings. “I love it. It’s like a drug to me,” he said, adding that he’s found friendship with the other men in his group. “My sober friends, I’ve shifted from my drunk friends, now I have a sober group of friends. We have a great time. We go out to dinner,” he shared.

Taylor Recently Celebrated 1.5 Years Sober

The Blast reported on Taylor’s recent celebration. Online, the “House of Villains” alum said he had been sober for 1.5 years.

While he admitted the journey hadn’t been easy, Taylor said he was “grateful” to be celebrating a major milestone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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Hulk Hogan’s occupational therapist is detailing the WWE star’s final moments in a newly-released police report.

“So… we’re trying not to say much in front of her, but he is in rough shape,” the wrestler’s occupational therapist, Justin McCamey, told responding Clearwater Police Department officer Jordan Bailey, according to the 72-page final report obtained by Us Weekly on Saturday, June 6.

“We knew this was gonna be happening,” McCamey told the officer, per the report and after claiming he “saw it,” referring to Hogan’s death at age 71. “Came in, did the… chest wasn’t elevating. Couldn’t wake him up … he just… stopped breathing.”

Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, died on July 24, 2025, his family confirmed to Us at the time. TMZ was first to report the news.

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It was later revealed that the famed wrestler died from acute myocardial infarction, most commonly known as a heart attack. According to court documents obtained by Us, Hogan had a history of leukemia CLL, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. It is not believed that Hogan’s cancer was public knowledge prior to his death.

Dana Swinton, Hogan’s home health aide who was also present when the wrestler died, was also interviewed by Officer Bailey.

“I mean, he wasn’t up as [much as] he was Saturday and Sunday when I had him, but he was still talking this morning, a little low, a little mumbly,” she told the officer, per the report. “I got him in the chair, he ate a little yogurt, he was fine. Set him up there, like… set him up in a chair … where he was asleep, but he was breathing.”

It wasn’t until McCamey returned from the bathroom, the report states, that the pair noticed something was wrong.

“The patient was in the chair. By the time he came to do the vitals for the visit he’s on, there was no pulse,” Swinton said. “[Hulk] hasn’t been moved, I’d say, he probably got down… probably… I’d say he got down here probably at 8:30-8:45, which we got down here, he’s been down here.”

According to the report, McCamey told authorities that the WWE star’s health had been “very poor ever since” a recent surgery, noting that Hulk had “approximately 20-30 various knee, hip and back surgeries over the years.” The occupational therapist also provided authorities with a list of medications the wrestler was taking at the time of his death.

The report, released on Friday, June 5, concludes the Clearwater Police Department’s investigation into the wrestler’s death, confirming there is no clear evidence of any wrongdoing.

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The investigation into the death of legendary pro wrestler Hulk Hogan remains open as questions about what really happened continue to be raised. Hogan died on July 24 after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71 years old.  In the time since, some of those closest to Hogan — including […]

“Under the circumstances, it fell to the Clearwater Police Department to address, challenge, or validate some of the concerns in the case,” the department wrote. “Investigators had to interview multiple witnesses and review various recordings to answer questions central to our inquiry.”

Authorities also thanked Swinton, McCamey and Hulk’s wife, Sky Daily, for their cooperation in their now-closed investigation.

“Their willingness to allow our investigators access to very personal information, at a time when they were grieving and struggling, was extremely helpful,” the department said in part.

Where would the world be without Gremlins? The classic horror-comedy creature feature directed by Joe Dante and penned by Chris Columbus immediately took the world by storm when it was released in 1984, raking in over $212 million globally on an $11 million budget and spawning an entire franchise that spans a sequel, an upcoming legacy follow-up, the animated Secrets of the Mogwai prequel series, books, and more. Even now, there are plenty of people who still know who Gizmo is and that you never feed a Mogwai after midnight, and the original film’s impact has been felt in everything from Ghoulies to Stranger Things. Surprisingly, though, there was actually a Sliding Doors moment where Warner Bros. nearly ditched the massive hit before they even realized what they had.

During a panel at the Indiana Comic Convention attended by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt, original Gremlins star Zach Galligan reflected on his time with the franchise and the many facts of its creation that still amaze him. “One of the crazy things about Gremlins is, I’m still finding out stuff about the movie 40 years later that I just didn’t know,” he said, and that includes the fate that nearly befell the film. He recalled that Warner Bros. didn’t see Dante and Columbus’ vision at all when it was first presented. A few of the darker moments, in particular, like Kate’s (Phoebe Cates) story about how her father died, had them hesitant that it would resonate with general audiences. In their eyes, this had more of the feel of an odd, indie horror project rather than a multi-million-dollar hit.

However, what ultimately changed their minds was a pair of test screenings in California. It’s not altogether unusual for high marks with test audiences to change a studio’s mind on a project — recent examples include other horror hits like Smile and Evil Dead Rise, which both started as streaming titles before getting the bump to theaters — but these particular results were so off the charts that it required a complete re-evaluation of what Gremlins was and could be.

“One of the things I put in the book was the fact that Warner Brothers really was not high on Gremlins at all. They just thought it was a kind of… they didn’t get it. And when they saw the rushes of Phoebe Cates’ dead dad and the Santa Claus in the chimney thing, they were just like, ‘This is weird and sick and gross and never gonna fly.’ And apparently, according to Mike Fennel, the producer, they did one screening in Sacramento and the audience response was just absolutely psychotic. So they did another one down in San Diego. Obviously, it was gonna be sort of California-based because Warner Brothers is in Los Angeles or Burbank. And they start getting these test scores that were so off the charts that they had to suddenly go, ‘Oh my God, maybe we have something here.’”

‘Gremlins’ Built a Legendary Marketing Campaign From the Ground Up in Record Time

Such overwhelming fervor for the film created a brand-new problem for Warner Bros. Their lack of belief in Gremlins left them with little in terms of a marketing campaign or merchandise. Galligan recalled that, according to Fennel, there was hardly anything in place three months out from the film’s release date. Plans had to be made and executed fast to turn Gizmo into a household name and get everyone crazy for the Christmas Eve carnage the Mogwai would bring. What followed was an all-out sprint to turn Gremlins into a proper event and cement Dante’s creature feature as an icon of the 80s.

“And so there was literally, he said, March 1st — remember, the movie’s coming out on June 8th — there was no merchandising in place whatsoever. And by April 15th, in six weeks, they had suddenly… there was a mad rush, and you had the Hardee’s records, the five records that tell the story, and the Gremlin storybook, and the lunchbox, and then this, and the trading cards, and then that, and the Gizmos, and the peanut butter gremlin cereal that was terrible, and all of this stuff, it all just came exploding out because of these two screenings. They thought it was dead in the water. They thought they had nothing, and then suddenly they just put all of this marketing and stuff into a teaser trailer. So Gremlins was almost the movie that was almost really a throwaway.”

Although they haven’t been in theaters with a new installment since the less well-received Gremlins 2: The New Batch in 1990, the future of Gremlins is quite bright right now. Warner Bros. officially moved to revive the soft and furry magical creatures last year by announcing Gremlins 3 would be heading to theaters on November 19, 2027. Dante won’t be back at the helm, but the spirit of the franchise will live on through the returning Columbus, who now sits in the director’s chair, and Stephen Spielberg, who will again executive produce. The red-hot Final Destination Bloodlines duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein were also tapped to write the legacy sequel, though any plot details or cast remain under wraps at this time.

Gremlins can currently be streamed for free on Pluto TV. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the future of the franchise as work continues on the third film.

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Release Date

June 8, 1984

Runtime

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106 minutes

Director

Joe Dante

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Writers

Chris Columbus

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Producers

Michael Finnell

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  Zach Galligan

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  Billy Peltzer

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  Phoebe Cates

  Kate Beringer

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