Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ghoulish reboot sequel has lots going on; language, scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 30 parent reviews
Parents say the movie attempts to blend nostalgia and new elements but ultimately suffers from overcrowded characters and inconsistent humor. While some enjoy the familiar themes and action, others criticize it for its inappropriate content for younger audiences, stating that it contains excessive language, sexual references, and disturbing themes that may not be suitable for children.
- language issues
- inappropriate content
- mixed nostalgia
- overcrowded characters
- predictable story
- audience divide
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 40 kid reviews
Kids say the movie offers a mix of humor and mild scares, with some reviews praising it as a perfect introduction to the horror genre for younger viewers. However, many feel it suffers from predictability and pacing issues, leading to mixed opinions about its suitability for children due to the inclusion of strong language and sexual references.
- funny and enjoyable
- mild scares
- predictably flawed
- strong language
- suitable for older kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE, the Spengler family -- mom Callie (Carrie Coon), her partner Greg (Paul Rudd), and her kids Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) -- have taken over the original Ghostbusters' firehouse and specter-capture-and-containment operation in New York City. When veteran Ghostbuster Ray (Dan Aykroyd) comes into possession of an ancient artifact containing a mysterious sinister force, things get real cold real fast, and Ghostbusters new and old will need to work together to once again save the city. (Which is especially fitting since this film's theatrical release coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Ghostbusters franchise.) Meanwhile, Phoebe befriends an angsty teen ghost (Emily Alyn Lind), Trevor is trying to get Callie to treat him like a grown-up, their friends Lucky (Celeste O'Connor) and Podcast (Logan Kim) are putting a new spectral research facility to use, and Greg is working on figuring out his parental boundaries.
Is It Any Good?
Fans will likely cheer -- and maybe gasp -- but the fifth film in this enduring franchise is a little too "deja boo." Fittingly, given that the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is timed with the 40th anniversary of the original movie, it brings back all that's most loved (and not problematic) from the pop cultural phenomenon -- including the framework. Gozer was already reused in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but this movie's icy new demon -- Garraka -- steps in to do exactly the same thing: Open a portal to another dimension and thus destroy New York City, unless the Fire Master can control him.
The beats are similar, but perhaps a familiar ghost story is necessary to balance the movie's many human stories that need acknowledgment. There are the four members of the Spengler family, the four OG Ghostbusters, Afterlife's two additional teen Busters, and three significant new characters played by Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, and Lind. It's fun, but it's also as chaotic as a swarm of unleashed spirits buzzing the Empire State Building. And while the central story focuses on Phoebe, who's feeling frustrated and unattended after the city says she's too young to work as a ghostbuster, we don't get quite enough emotional insight into her character to understand some of her more questionable actions. Given the heart-swelling warmth of Afterlife, it's all the more disappointing that Frozen Empire sometimes feels hollow and cold. For the first film made without the late Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, and Gil Kenan succeed in continuing the franchise as a big screen specter-cle -- and longtime fans will definitely enjoy the steady stream of cameos -- but don't expect this one to haunt you.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the Ghostbusters franchise has endured. How do the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire filmmakers reward fans of the original while introducing a new story for a new generation? Kids: How would you reimagine your favorite movie for a different/new audience?
Compare the ghosts and monsters in the 1984 Ghostbusters to those in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Do you think they're scarier now? If so, why?
How do the characters demonstrate courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Are ghostbusting and scientific research a passion or a purpose for Phoebe, Greg, and Ray? What's the difference? What pursuit do you enjoy, even if you don't get paid for doing it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 22, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : May 7, 2024
- Cast : McKenna Grace , Paul Rudd , Finn Wolfhard , Carrie Coon , Kumail Nanjiani , Dan Aykroyd , Ernie Hudson , Bill Murray
- Director : Gil Kenan
- Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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