Ghostbusters (PG, 1984)
common sense media says
Paranormal fun with some scares, innuendo.
parents & educators say
- 43% say sexual content is an issue
- 29% say language is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this iconic '80s movie is pretty tame for it to be about catching scary ghosts (only a few are skeletal and scary) and the possible end of the world. The scariest part is probably the large dogs with glowing eyes that attack and possess two characters. Viewers will find some language that's strong for a PG ("s--t" a few times, for starters) and sexually charged scenes, one where a character fantasizes briefly about a ghost giving him oral pleasure, and another where a possessed woman writhes around and says "I want you inside me" to Peter, who laughs it off. Two Ghostbusters do a lot of smoking, often dangling a cigarette out of their mouths while trying to catch ghosts.
Positive role models:
Peter Venkman is shown as a bit of a womanizer for comic effect, but figures out he'll have more chances getting the girl through heroism. The Ghostbusters band together and trust each other in difficult situations.
Violence:
Plenty of blasting from special ghost-busting lasers. A hotel ballroom is destroyed and another building explodes with the main characters running for their lives. Ghosts take over NYC, some scary-looking (with decomposing skeletal appearances and wicked grins) some not (slimy green blobs who eat a lot). Two characters are possessed by large dog-like creatures. One has arms grab her through a chair and screams as she's hurled through the room. A building crumbles and pieces fall on a crowd below who also almost get smashed by a 50-foot walking marshmallow. Mentions of ancient god worship and sacrifices, as well as judgment day and what it meant according to the Bible and other traditions. A demi-god attacks with lightning bolts coming from her arms.
Sex:
A fantasy scene implies Ray receives oral pleasure from a ghost; you see his pants mysteriously unzipped down to his underwear and his eyes cross in pleasure. Dana makes bold sexual advances while possessed, writhing around, and showing lots of leg. She even says, "Do you want this body?" "Take me now" and "I want you inside me" to Peter who jokes that she already has more than one person inside her. Plus a few kisses and plenty of innuendo, including a joke about getting the Stay Puft Marshmallow "laid."
Language:
"S--t" is said three times, "bitch" once, "ass" and other versions a few times, "pissed," "hell," "mother puss bucket," and jokes about an EPA official having no "d--k."
Consumerism:
Coke is seen a few times, a Twinkie is used as a metaphor, and one of the Ghostbusters shouts, "it's Miller time." Cheese-Its and Budweiser are consumed. A montage shows the Ghostbusters on the cover of some prominent magazines like Time and The Atlantic with the voices of Casey Kasem and Larry King in the background.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Lots of smoking, mostly by Peter and Ray who often have a cigarette dangling from their lips while catching ghosts. They also share a bottle of hard alcohol after being fired from their jobs and are seen drinking beer a few times. A ghost chugs wine that goes right through him.
More on Ghostbusters
Review It
Based on 21 parent & educator reviews:
- 43% say sexual content is an issue
- 29% say language is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
jesscat
parent of 10 and 12 year old
parent of 10 and 12 year old
I'd say 12 and up.
Love this movie but I don't think the implied oral sex scene is for kids of this age.
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
i watched this when i was 7 and i wasnt scared. i think its a good movie and kinda funny
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MovieGuy7219
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Ghostbusters-Movie Review
I thought the 1984 movie "Ghostbusters" was the grestest movie of the 1980's. I thought that the movie did have a little too much profanity. Now, if this movie came out in this decade it would be PG-13. But the MPAA did not have good control of there films until 2000. Also,the MPAA did not have the PG-13 rating until after the film Gremlins came out. P.S: There is some scray scenes the film that might scare kids under the age of 11, so what ever you do do not let them see this movie.
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Yangy
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Hilarious movie, my favourite line being "Shhh! Can you smell that?" Great movie, pehaps the sex could have been cut. Oral ghost sex?! No thanks.
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Luaith
parent of 9 and 12 year old
parent of 9 and 12 year old
The implied oral sex from a spirit was way too graphic for my kids. This is the first time I have found a common sense rating to be off the mark.
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jjacobs343
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
:)
oral ghost sex isnt good for children!!
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cooldude1234
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
ggood but edgy
this is a very funny ovie but its iffy for young kids for strong language and a dream sequence thts semi graphic.
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allietron
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Who are you gonna call?
I like the movie. It is cool. At first, I was a little surprised it was rated PG because of all the romance, violence, language, and smoking. But then I saw, how it could be rated PG. I like the action, and the ghosts weren't too scary. I really enjoyed it.
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funmommyk
parent of 8 and 11 year old
parent of 8 and 11 year old
Parents might be a little uncomfortable - but the kids loved it!
I definitely noticed the sexually suggestive scenes when watching with my 7 and 10 year-olds - but it went right over their heads. There were a few bad words (sh*t, b*tch) but again, I don't think it was a big deal. Too much smoking...but I don't think seeing these guys smoke is going to make my kids want to. They LOVED it and thought it was super funny - they keep talking about the slime and the marshmallow man!
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lsdgls
adult
adult
Ouch! Way too iffy on the sexual content!
My major issue is the sex scenes in this movie! One ghost is portrayed as having oral sex and there is another sex scene that is really way over the top! Not for kids with any awareness!
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tummytalk1
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
happy halloween 2010\10\31
its a $H!^ full movie. no joke it has lots of bad words but it allso has some aduld images.
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ratingpeepsshows69
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Perfect for tweens, not for kids
I had some of my friends over last night and i had to skip a scene cause of what happens and there was a line that my bro used and he was grounded so overall, great film but some inappropriate stuff.
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Jomarch
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Bad of kids figure out swear words or dream sequence.
Ghostbusters is a good movie. It has swearing like d---, he double hockey sticks. There is a dream sequence where Ray receives.... happiness from a ghost. And in one scene, Peter drinks something from a glass bottle. If your kids figure out the sequence... Otherwise, a great underdog movie.
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SportsAreFun
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Good for 11+
This movie is on for 11+. There is alot of violence but there is always a reason. There is alot of shooting and distructing places. That's pretty much all for violence, just alot of shooting. There is some sex, not much though. There is a women who becomes possessed and throw's her date on the bed and jumps on him, while her shirt is kind of hanging off (but nothing is shown). A 5 seconed kiss. And later while one of the Ghostbusters are in bed, a ghost comes over and un belts his belt, and then un zipps his pants. A little bulge is shown for his private place. Another think is the language. Sometimes the words come up. While a fight is going on they call him a d**kless. And d**k. Some words like b**ch, d**k, h*ll. Not much. and occasionally the'll smoke.
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Dynamite man
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Luv it!
This movie is incredible! Watch it and it will blow your mind, especially on blue-ray where all the action is hidden!
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Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!
This movie didn't really scare me at all. I thought it was pretty good but little kids may be afraid of it, the scariest part would be the Zuul part. Kinda scared my 6 year old brother but not me. Very funny, Has lots of Friendship in it but the monsters are not friendly.
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MatthewAbate
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Nobody noticed that in the dog scene you can briefly see her breasts. It is not too scary and very funny.
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Poison Ivey
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
funny
I cant believe i didn't see it sooner! Anyways, a funny film the whole family can enjoy, but there is sex and violence and some language so know your kids!
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bibliophile
adult
adult
My brain shrunk...
I think my IQ dropped after watching this. Ghosts don't exist, so that really doesn't help. There was some swearing, loads of smoking, and definitely some sensuality and seduction. I really can't recommend this movie AT ALL. It was so boring, I think I almost fell asleep.
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