Joseph James Dante Jr. is an American film director. His films—notably Gremlins alongside its sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch —often mix the 1950s-style B movie genre with 1960s radicalism and cartoon comedy. Dante's output includes the films Piranha, The Howling, Explorers, Innerspace, The 'Burbs, Matinee, Small Soldiers, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action.