Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire OK for kids? Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire for kids? Read the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new film sequel Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 2024 from Columbia Pictures/Sony, starring Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, McKenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Dan Aykroyd. No spoilers! #Ghostbusters May contain commissioned links.

Parents Guide Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

I ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but I might be afraid of a Ghostbusters sequel!

In a surprising upset of 2021 we found that franchise revivals do have a place in the entertainment industry. A HUGE swell of nostalgic fandom and new Ghostbusters fans collided in an unprecedented Ghostbusters sequel after a 2016 mixed bag feminist reboot.

But does Ghostbusters need to finally CHILL OUT on the film sequels?

In this Parents Guide to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG-13 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire parents guide to the new Ghostbusters film sequel. A no-spoiler parent review of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 2024, is the audience tired of busting ghosts yet?

Or are we forever doomed with mediocre 80’s remakes?

The Visuals

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, there are a few scenes with dizzying and fast spinning camera movements that could be nausea inducing for some. No scenes of bright flashing or strobing lights of note.

The Story

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the 2024 Ghostbusters film sequel directed by Gil Kenan (“Monster House“), written by Jason Reitman (“Ghostbusters: Afterlife“), and produced by original 1984 Ghostbusters creator Ivan Reitman (“Kindergarten Cop“) and Dan Aykroyd (“The Blues Brothers“). The all-star cast includes returning Spengler family Paul Rudd (“Ant-man and the Wasp Quantumania“) as Mr. Gary Grooberson, Carrie Coon (“The Gilded Age“) as Callie, Finn Wolfhard (“Stranger Things“) as Trevor, McKenna Grace (“Captain Marvel” and “Crater“) as Pheobe, Logan Kim (“The Walking Dead: Dead City“) as Podcast, and Celeste O’Connor (“Madame Web“) as Lucky.

Reprising their original Ghostbuster roles are Bill Murray (“Groundhog Day“) as Dr. Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Ray Stantz, Ernie Hudson (“Miss Congeniality“) as Winston Zeddemore, and Annie Potts (“Toy Story 4“) as Janine Melnitz. New cast members include Kumail Nanjiani (“Migration“) as Nadeem Razmaadi and Patton Oswalt (“The Goldbergs“) as Dr. Hubert Wartzki.

In this Ghostbusters 2024 sequel we catch up with the Spengler family as they return to where it all began – the iconic New York City firehouse – as they team up with the original Ghostbusters, who have discovered a way to take busting ghosts to the next level. But there is no time to CHILL OUT, as an ancient artifact holds the power to cast a death chill upon the city. Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.

For those who have seen Ghostbusters: Afterlife (I highly recommend watching to understand family dynamics and characters), this darker Ghostbusters film sequel cousin has scarier ghosts and less of that classic cheesy humor. Don’t fear; there are still plenty of cameos and Easter Eggs for the 80’s Ghostbusters fans.

The ghost action and adventure definitely keep the pace moving despite a tired, cliché, and predictable plot line, but something else feels off (besides missing Egon) in this Ghostbusters sequel. The characters and story aren’t jiving like the first film. Disjointed and a little ice cold.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Rating Explained

Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire safe for kids? A Ghostbusters film sequel rated PG-13? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option to help guide parents.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire rated PG-13? In this Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 Ghostbusters: Afterlife film sequel from Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures is rated PG-13 for “supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is kid friendly. Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire too scary for kids? Is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating in this Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire supernatural violence is on par with previous Ghostbusters franchise film iterations but perhaps a tad darker than Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). Use of photon blasters and ghost weapons throughout this movie. There are some intense jump scares, scary suspenseful moments, creepy objects, and ghost creatures throughout as well – including loud noises and creepy noises to enhance the experience. But humor and more silly ghost depictions are used to help break up some of the scarier scenes.

While bloody images and injuries are at a minimal in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (wrapped arm in a sling and mild to moderate ice burn wounds) the amount of gore for a ghost film is borderline horror film territory. There are multiple scenes with visuals of severed human parts including limbs and digits. Frozen bodies and shattered frozen bodies post impact are also common.

Disturbing discussions regarding murder, killing, and death – including being “burned alive” and someone’s “face melted.” There is one visual reference to a movie case with the title of “Cannibal Girls” and verbal reference to “devouring a small child” that may induce some questions from kids.

Adult Themes. There is a mild amount of alcohol consumption in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – including once scene where a character takes a swig from a bottle of liquor. No one acts drunk. There are no drugs or drug references in this Ghostbusters sequel. There is one scene at a smoke/vape store – with products prominently placed for the audience to see. However, there no one actually smoking in this Ghostbusters film. There is on reference to one character’s decision to “quit smoking.” Yay for positive smoking references?

There are multiple mentions to historical, mythical, and Biblical stories and folk tales including those of the supernatural and superstitious nature – including gods. There are also multiple references to paranormal and ghost activity (in case the name of the movie franchise didn’t give it away) as well as use of magic.

On a strange parenting note in this adult themes section – it was refreshing to see Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire refer to a blended family/family navigating their relationship in a healthy way as well as parenting kids in a realistic way – like how it’s OK to make mistakes. However, there is one punchline that does encourage kids to getting a tattoo or try shoplifting as a way of making mistakes. This may definitely send confusing if not the wrong message.

Does Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has suggestive references? Sexual innuendo is definitely present in this Ghostbusters sequel – and this film isn’t suggesting only sexy adult content. Definitely a different level that Ghostbusters: Afterlife -Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is raunchier than the original reboot. Sexual content includes 1 hug and 1 kiss on the cheek between characters, sexual innuendo reference to being “tall, dark, and horny” and “we both got some action” (meant as an adult joke – but has more literal meaning in the film that may go over the heads of kids), one verbal reference each to “hookers,” and “devil’s testicle,” multiple verbal and visual references to a “sex dungeon” (you’ll know the scene) and “sex joke”, one scene with people at the beach – some wearing sexy and revealing swimwear (including one prominent bikini bottom with not much coverage from the behind), and one scene with references to “nipple stuff” including a verbal line (for humor) and a painting with a visual of a man and a woman grabbing the nipple area). No nudity is seen.

But that’s not all. There’s a suggestive growing relationship that takes center stage during Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire that is right on the edge of the line between friendship and an LGBTQ+ relationship. Interpretation could go either way. But there is nothing physical that occurs – just a conversation focused relationship. Infer away.

Language. Does Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire have language? This film is overall mild to moderate for a PG-13 film. Foul language phrases and swear words include: 4 “@sshole,” 2 “@ss,” 1 “sh!t,” 1 “d@mn,” 5 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks,” 1 “holy crap,” 1 “son of a B—” (word cut off), 3 “sucks” and 1 “F word” (yes – literally said that way).

Milder bad language phrases and insults in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire include: “stupid,” “weird,” “morons,” “dork,” “horny,” “testicle,” “nipple,” “hate,” “screwed,” “freaking,” “shut up,” “heck,” jeez,” and “g-d.”

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

How cold is it? ICE COLD. I’m sorry to say but Ghostbusters may need to CHILL OUT on the reboots. This darker Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire sequel feels like a sequel – in a haunting ‘I miss the 80’s Ghostbusters’ kind of way.

With a cliché plot, family issues, and an old and tired cast (sorry guys – but the old Ghostbusters aren’t moving like they used to) everything isn’t supernaturally coming together. And while there’s plenty of ghost-fighting action throughout, I miss the lighter, funnier Ghostbusters of 2021. The 2024 Ghostbusters are too dark, too serious, too adult for my taste. And parents, this darker and scarier Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire may NOT be for your kids this time.

I ain’t afraid of no ghosts – but I am afraid of how this sequel is going to be received by fans. Who ya gonna call? I’m calling the 80’s.

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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the all-new 2024 Ghostbusters film from Sony Pictures is busting into theaters starting Friday March 22, 2024. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the live-action film sequel Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 2024 in exchange for this Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Columbia Pictures/Sony. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie reviews, television updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes info!