Inom filmuniverset erbjuds inget ursprung för Mogwai-grunden eller deras illvilliga motsvarigheter, Gremlins.
I novelleringen " Gremlins: The Movie ", rekommenderas vi att Mogwai är resultatet av främling genteknik gick fel. De är en art konstruerad för länge sedan på planeten Enz av en varning som heter Morgturmen.
"... the galactic powers ordered the Mogwai sent to every inhabitable planet in the universe, their purpose being to inspire alien beings with their peaceful spirit and intelligence and to instruct them in the ways of living without violence and possible extinction. Among the planets selected for early Mogwai population were Kelm-6 in the Poraisti Range, Clinpf-A of the Beehive Pollux, and the third satellite of MinorSun#67672, a small but fertile body called Earth by its inhabitants."