The series is a prequel to the 1984 film of the same name and its 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch. It is set in 1920s Shanghai, East China, and tells the story of how 10-year-old Sam Wing met Gizmo, a young Mogwai. The first episode had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2022, before the series debuted with the launch of Max on May 23, 2023, consisting of 10 episodes. In February 2021, ahead of the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season.
The series focuses on how 10-year-old Sam Wing met the young Mogwai called Gizmo. Along with a teenage street thief named Elle, Sam takes a perilous journey through the Chinese countryside. They encounter colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore.