Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun update on classic centers on women (and lots of ghosts).
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ghostbusters (2016)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 65 parent reviews
Parents say that this movie has sparked mixed reactions, with numerous reviewers warning about its inappropriate content for children, including frequent foul language and sexual innuendos. While many appreciate the strong female leads and comedic elements, others feel it fails to connect with the cherished original and suffers from weak writing and poor execution.
- age appropriateness
- language issues
- strong female leads
- disappointing writing
- mixed entertainment value
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 129 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mixed bag, with some finding it funny and enjoyable, while others consider it a disappointing and bland reboot of the classic. Frequent complaints include excessive swearing, weak plot, and predictable humor, along with concern over some unsettling ghost depictions, but it also receives praise for its modern twist and female empowerment themes.
- mixed reviews
- excessive swearing
- weak plot
- female empowerment
- unsettling ghosts
- predictable humor
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
New York City is under attack from an army of the undead—who you gonna call? That's right, the GHOSTBUSTERS. But in this update of the the 1984 comedy-action classic, the quartet of supernatural scientists is an all-woman team: paranormal experts Abby (Melissa McCarthy) and Erin (Kristen Wiig), nuclear engineer Jillian (Kate McKinnon), and subway worker Patty (Leslie Jones). They bring scientific rigor and plenty of humor to their battle against the paranormal. Watch out for slime!
Is It Any Good?
The 1984 original—a near-perfect cocktail of brash irreverence, scares, and big laughs—is a tough act to follow, but this reboot comes decently close. In Ghostbusters, chemistry is paramount when assembling a team to follow in the footsteps of Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, and the good news is that McCarthy, Wiig, McKinnon, and Jones are equally inspired and awesome. (McKinnon is especially suited for the franchise.) More raves: Chris Hemsworth shows off his comedic skills to great effect, and fans of the first Ghostbusters will be thrilled by the cameos of the previous ensemble, giving the film a feel-good vibe that's hard to shake. Even the sight of the old firehouse elicits a pang of glee. The story feels of the moment and even amusingly self-referential, with jokes aimed at online trolls who've been quick to condemn the reboot.
Nonetheless, this new Ghostbusters lacks the element of surprise that even remakes should have; the "scary" CGI-dependent scenes lack the spark and fright of that "library moment" in the original, which provided a welcome counter-weight to the rollicking laughs. Strangely enough, the reboot's biggest triumph is that it makes us hope for a sequel, one in which the women can stake their claim on the franchise on their own terms, no longer so strictly compared to the 1984 version. See it—it will definitely make you laugh—but you'll have to wait for it to find its own footing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Ghostbusters is scary. It's packed with angry ghosts, but are they intended to be scary, or funny? How can you tell? Why is it sometimes fun to be scared?
How does this version of the movie compare to the original? What about the more recent adaptations? What's similar, and what's different? Do you have a favorite?
How do the characters demonstrate courage and teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
Does it make a difference that this team of Ghostbusters is all female? Does that affect the story? How does it affect the way you feel about the flirting scenes and the way Chris Hemsworth's character is treated? Would you feel differently if the genders were reversed? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 15, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2016
- Cast : Melissa McCarthy , Kristen Wiig , Kate McKinnon , Leslie Jones
- Director : Paul Feig
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Lesbian Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : supernatural action and some crude humor
- Award : Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : April 2, 2026
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