Ghostbusters: Afterlife#Box office

In Summerville, Oklahoma, Egon Spengler captures an entity in occultist Ivo Shandor's mine outside the town and lures another to his farm. He activates an elaborate setup on his property, but the power fails. Egon manages to conceal the ghost trap in his home before being attacked by the entity and suffering a fatal heart attack, and the entity returns to the mine.

Egon's estranged, financially struggling daughter Callie inherits the farm and moves there with her children, Trevor and Phoebe, after being evicted from their Chicago apartment. Trevor becomes infatuated with carhop Lucky Domingo, and the scientifically minded Phoebe enrolls in a summer science class taught by seismologist Gary Grooberson, whom Callie later dates.

Phoebe discovers the farmhouse is haunted, and the poltergeist residing in it leads her to the ghost trap, which she shows to Gary and her new friend, "Podcast". Gary, a fan of the Ghostbusters, helps her learn more about them and her grandfather. He, Phoebe, and Podcast tamper with the trap, releasing Vinz Clortho, Keymaster of Gozer the Gozerian, which escapes to the mine. The farm ghost leads Phoebe to Egon's underground laboratory and, after revealing himself as her grandfather, guides her in restoring the Ghostbusters' equipment.

While testing the proton pack with Podcast, Phoebe finds a ghost they call "Muncher" that haunts Shandor's foundry and flees to the town. Having repaired the Ghostbusters' Cadillac Ecto-1's engine (with Egon's help), Trevor uses the car to chase Muncher with the pair; they capture it but are arrested for the damage incurred, and their equipment is seized.

Using the Ghostbusters' telephone number that she had written down, Phoebe contacts Ray Stantz for help and informs him of Egon's death. In turn, Ray tells her what became of the Ghostbusters after they defeated Vigo the Carpathian:{{efn|As depicted in Ghostbusters II (1989)}} The team had disbanded following a downturn in business, and Egon then stole all their equipment and moved to Summerville to pursue an unspecified threat. Shortly after, Gary is attacked and possessed by Vinz after returning the children home following a date with Callie. Egon's ghost leads Callie to a wall of detailed notes and pictures he kept of her life, showing he cared about her more than she thought, just before she becomes possessed by Zuul, Gatekeeper of Gozer.

Phoebe, Podcast, Lucky, and Trevor find a Gozerian temple within the mine. Exploring further, they discover the long-dead Shandor beginning to revive in his casket as automated proton cannons, installed by Egon, hinder Gozer's attempts to cross over. Vinz sabotages the cannons and performs a mating rite with Zuul, allowing Gozer to escape and take physical form. Shandor awakens and pledges his fealty to Gozer, but she immediately kills him.

The children discover Egon's "farm" is an array of ghost traps buried in a dirt field. As supernatural chaos rages through the town, they free Muncher and use him to recover the seized ghostbusting equipment and Ecto-1, then head to the mine. Phoebe distracts Gozer so Podcast can re-capture Zuul, freeing Callie and weakening Gozer's physical form. They lure Gozer and Vinz to the trap field, but it malfunctions, and she frees Zuul, who possesses Lucky and fully restores Gozer's power.

Ray and the other surviving original Ghostbusters, Peter Venkman and Winston Zeddemore, arrive to help, and Gozer, having arranged Egon's death, seeks to complete her revenge against the quartet for vanquishing her.{{efn|As depicted in Ghostbusters (1984)}} Supported by Egon's now-manifested ghost, Phoebe uses his proton pack to battle Gozer. The Ghostbusters assist by crossing their packs' proton streams while Trevor uses his to charge the traps' power source, allowing Callie to activate them and capture Gozer, Vinz, and Zuul. Lucky and Gary are freed from their possessions, and Egon reconciles with his family and friends before passing on to the afterlife.

Later, the original Ghostbusters return to New York City, and Peter is revealed to be married to Dana Barrett. Winston, having become a wealthy entrepreneur and family man since leaving the Ghostbusters, returns the fully restored Ecto-1 to the team's old firehouse headquarters. In the basement, a light on their old ghost containment system begins to flash red.

{{main|List of Ghostbusters characters}}

The new film's cast was announced in July 2019, with the cast of the original film signing on two months later:

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• Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-cast-so-far | title = Ghostbusters: Afterlife - The Entire Cast (So Far) | first = Adam | last = Bankhurst | date = July 27, 2021 | access-date = July 27, 2021 | work = IGN | archive-date = July 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727212320/https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-cast-so-far | url-status = live }}
• Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler
• Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler{{cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |title=First Look at 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/ghostbusters-afterlife-first-look |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=December 6, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191207025747/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/ghostbusters-afterlife-first-look |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://hnentertainment.co/ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-reveals-the-family-is-indeed-related-to-egon-spengler/|title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Trailer Reveals The Family Is Indeed Related to Egon Spengler|first=Christopher|last=Marc|date=September 12, 2019|website=HN Entertainment.co|access-date=October 12, 2019|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210070737/https://hnentertainment.co/ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-reveals-the-family-is-indeed-related-to-egon-spengler/|url-status=live}}
• Bokeem Woodbine as Sherman Domingo, the sheriff of Summerville
• Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson
• Logan Kim as Podcast
• Celeste O'Connor as Lucky Domingo, a friend of Trevor's and Sheriff Domingo's daughter

• Bill Murray as Peter Venkman{{cite web | url = https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dan-aykroyd-says-bill-murray-221508202.html | title = Dan Aykroyd Says Bill Murray Will Reprise His Original Role in Ghostbusters 2020 | first = Georgia | last = Slater | date = November 9, 2019 | access-date = December 7, 2019 | work = Yahoo! | archive-date = December 10, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191210145912/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dan-aykroyd-says-bill-murray-221508202.html | url-status = live }}
• Dan Aykroyd as Raymond "Ray" Stantz{{Cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/ghostbusters-2020-dan-aykroyd-ernie-hudson-returning/ |title=Dan Aykroyd & Ernie Hudson Confirm Their Return in Ghostbusters 2020 |first=Kevin |last=Burwick |date=September 16, 2019 |website=Movieweb |access-date=September 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918003839/https://movieweb.com/ghostbusters-2020-dan-aykroyd-ernie-hudson-returning/|archive-date=September 18, 2019|url-status=live}}
• Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore
• Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz{{Cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/ghostbusters-sequel-cast-annie-potts/ |title=Annie Potts Confirms Return as Janine in Jason Reitman's 'Ghostbusters' Sequel |last=Hoai-Tran |first=Bui |date=June 18, 2019 |website=Slash Film |access-date=September 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920162619/https://www.slashfilm.com/ghostbusters-sequel-cast-annie-potts/|archive-date=September 20, 2019|url-status=live}}
• Sigourney Weaver as Dana Barrett{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/sigourney-weaver-confirms-shell-appear-in-ghostbusters-3-along-with-other-original-stars-1202629678/ |title=Sigourney Weaver Confirms She'll Appear In 'Ghostbusters 3' Along With Other Original Stars |last=Bennett |first=Anita |date=June 8, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916121042/https://deadline.com/2019/06/sigourney-weaver-confirms-shell-appear-in-ghostbusters-3-along-with-other-original-stars-1202629678/|archive-date=September 16, 2019|url-status=live}}

The film's cast also includes Marlon Kazadi as Thickneck; Sydney Mae Diaz as Swayze; and Aykroyd's youngest daughter Stella as Deputy Medjuck, a nod to Joe Medjuck, who was an associate producer on Ghostbusters (1984), an executive producer on the subsequent movies, and a co-founder of production company Ghost Corps. Harold Ramis posthumously appears as Egon Spengler in archival clips and photographs taken from Ghostbusters (1984).{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/new-ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-teases-return-of-lots-of-familiar-faces/ | title = New Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer teases return of lots of familiar faces | first = Jennifer | last = Oullette | date = July 27, 2021 | access-date = July 27, 2021 | work = Ars Technica | archive-date = July 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727202320/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/new-ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-teases-return-of-lots-of-familiar-faces/ | url-status = live }} Bob Gunton (credited as "The Ghost Farmer") and Ivan Reitman also portray living and ghostly versions of Egon, respectively, using prosthetics and digital makeup.{{cite web |title=Original Ghostbusters director stood in as Egon Spengler in Afterlife |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2021/11/25/original-ghostbusters-director-stood-in-as-egon-spengler-in-afterlife/ |website=Ghostbusters News |access-date=November 26, 2021 |date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126120000/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2021/11/25/original-ghostbusters-director-stood-in-as-egon-spengler-in-afterlife/|archive-date=November 26, 2021|url-status=live}} {{Better source needed|reason=WP:FANSITE|date=September 2023}}{{cite book |last1=Inguanzo |first1=Ozzy |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife: The Art and Making of the Movie |date=November 2021 |publisher=Titan Books |location=London |isbn=9781789096521 |edition=First}} J. K. Simmons plays Ivo Shandor, the leader of a Gozer-worshiping cult responsible for the Sumerian god Gozer's arrival in Ghostbusters. Simmons took the role as a token of friendship with the Reitmans, with whom he frequently collaborates in films like Jason's 2007 film Juno and the 2017 film Father Figures, co-produced by Ivan. Olivia Wilde,{{Cite magazine|date=November 22, 2021|title=The Day Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson Became Ghostbusters Again|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-ending|access-date=November 22, 2021|magazine=Vanity Fair|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126120204/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-ending|archive-date=November 26, 2021|url-status=live}} who portrayed Mesopotamian deity Inanna in Ramis's final film Year One, physically portrays Gozer, Shohreh Aghdashloo provides Gozer's voice, and Emma Portner plays Gozer's CGI spirit form, previously portrayed by Slavitza Jovan and Paddi Edwards in voice in Ghostbusters (1984). Josh Gad was one of many actors who contributed to the voice of Muncher, a metal-eating miner ghost conjured after a séance went wrong at Summerville Foundry in the 1940s.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/1201396-josh-gad-new-ghost-muncher-ghostbusters-afterlife|title=Josh Gad is Voicing New Ghost Muncher in Ghostbusters: Afterlife|first=Maggie|last=Dela Paz|date=November 15, 2021|website=ComingSoon.net|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115181339/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/1201396-josh-gad-new-ghost-muncher-ghostbusters-afterlife|url-status=live}} Ira Heiden (a friend of Jason Reitman's), Sarah Natochenny, and Shelby Young voiced the Mini-Pufts, tiny versions and replicated forms of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but were not credited for their performances.{{cite web |date=November 16, 2021 |last1=Squires |first1=John |title=MOVIES'A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors' Actor Ira Heiden Voiced the Mini-Pufts in 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife'! |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3692265/nightmare-elm-street-dream-warriors-actor-ira-heiden-voiced-mini-pufts-ghostbusters-afterlife/ |website=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320002810/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3692265/nightmare-elm-street-dream-warriors-actor-ira-heiden-voiced-mini-pufts-ghostbusters-afterlife/ |url-status=live }}{{cite tweet |last=Natochenny |first=Sarah |author-link=Sarah Natochenny |user=sarahnatochenny |number=1461754799993593865 |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife is in theaters today!! So thrilled to play a small but mighty role in this epic movie, as one of the voices of the Mini-Pufts. Congrats to my fellow marshmallows including my bud @shelby_young! #GhostbustersAfterlife #voiceactor https://t.co/48UX76YfQs |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119190638/https://twitter.com/sarahnatochenny/status/1461754799993593865 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |url-status=live}}

In the early 1990s, following the release of Ghostbusters II, Dan Aykroyd wrote a script for a third film tentatively titled Ghostbusters III: Hellbent. In the script, the Ghostbusters are transported to a parallel-universe version of Manhattan called Manhellton, where the people and places are "hellish" versions of Earth, and the characters meet and confront the Devil. At the time, Aykroyd stated that Columbia Pictures was interested, though the principal actors, especially Bill Murray, were not. The Hellbent script's main characters are a new, younger group of Ghostbusters; Ray, Egon, and Winston struggle to keep the business going after Peter's relationship with Dana becomes serious.{{cite web |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/366/366119p1.html |title=IGN FilmForce Exclusive: The Stax Report: Script Review of Ghostbusters 3: Hellbent! |publisher=IGN |date=July 30, 2002 |access-date=August 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809151651/http://movies.ign.com/articles/366/366119p1.html |archive-date=August 9, 2007 |url-status=live}} Elements of this story were used in Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009), which Aykroyd considered to be "essentially the third movie".{{cite web|last1=Tibbetts|first1=Philip|date=June 2, 2014|title=Why the Ghostbusters game is "essentially the third movie"|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/why-the-ghostbusters-game-is-essentially-the-third-movie/|access-date=December 3, 2021|website=Den of Geek|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112405/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/why-the-ghostbusters-game-is-essentially-the-third-movie/|url-status=live}} At various stages of its development, Chris Farley, Chris Rock, and Ben Stiller were reported as potential stars of a new Ghostbusters film.{{cite web|last=Ditzian|first=Eric|title=Original 'Ghostbusters' Cast Onboard For Reboot, Harold Ramis Says|date=March 27, 2009|publisher=MTV News|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1607995/original-ghostbusters-cast-onboard-for-reboot-harold-ramis-says|access-date=November 14, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115043612/http://www.mtv.com/news/1607995/original-ghostbusters-cast-onboard-for-reboot-harold-ramis-says/|url-status=dead}}

By 2004, Columbia had begun pursuing a sequel but Murray, who disliked sequels, was uninterested in the project.{{cite web |date=April 16, 2004 |first=Garth |last=Franklin |title=Major Franchise Sequel Rumours |url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/390/major-franchise-sequel-rumours |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525200228/http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/390/major-franchise-sequel-rumours |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |publisher=Dark Horizons |access-date=December 30, 2009}} The following year, Harold Ramis confirmed plans to introduce Stiller into the principal cast.{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Ramis_Plans_Ghostbusters_3_with_Stiller_/3467374 |title=Ramis Plans Ghostbusters 3 with Stiller |date=November 6, 2005 |publisher=Hollywood.com |access-date=December 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525200227/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Ramis_Plans_Ghostbusters_3_with_Stiller_/3467374 |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=May 18, 2005 |title='Ghostbusters 3' in the Making |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Ghostbusters_3_in_the_Making/3501360 |work=Hollywood.com |access-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813001450/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Ghostbusters_3_in_the_Making/3501360 |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |url-status=live}} By 2009, the project had failed to progress,{{cite web |last=Van Camp |first=Jeffrey|date=December 29, 2009|title=Could Ghostbusters 3 Start Filming This Summer?|url=https://www.collider.com/2009/12/29/could-ghostbusters-3-start-filming-this-summer/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113204818/http://www.collider.com/2009/12/29/could-ghostbusters-3-start-filming-this-summer/|archive-date=January 13, 2010|access-date=December 30, 2009|publisher=Collider}} but by January 2010, Ivan Reitman, director of the first two Ghostbusters films, confirmed he would direct a third one.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/aykroyd-reveals-details-of-new-ghostbusters-leader-and-busting-tech/ |title=Aykroyd Reveals Details of New Ghostbusters 'Leader' and Busting Tech |first=Brendon |last=Connelly |publisher=/Film |date=May 25, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208092610/http://www.slashfilm.com/aykroyd-reveals-details-of-new-ghostbusters-leader-and-busting-tech/ |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Barton |first=Steve |title=More Ghostbusters 3 Chatter – Reitman Out? |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/16320/more-ghostbusters-3-chatter-reitman-out/ |website=Dread Central|access-date=September 9, 2013 |date=March 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105191030/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/16320/more-ghostbusters-3-chatter-reitman-out/|archive-date=November 5, 2015|url-status=live}} Also in March, Murray discussed development of the film and his mixed feelings about reprising his role.{{cite web |url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14322 |title=Bill Murray Talks Ghostbusters 3 on Letterman |work=ShockTilYouDrop |publisher=CraveOnline |date=March 1, 2010 |access-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406154834/http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14322 |archive-date=April 6, 2010}}{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=65522 |title=Bill Murray on the Ghostbusters 3 "Nightmare" |publisher=CraveOnline |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=May 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501134009/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=65522 |archive-date=May 1, 2010 |url-status=live}} A release was scheduled for Christmas 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/ghostbuster-3-dan-aykroyd-says-filming-starts-this-fall-for-2011-release-harold-ramis-claims-in-theaters-christmas-2012-bill-murray-says-its-just-a-myth/ |title=Ghostbuster 3: Dan Aykroyd Says Filming Starts This Fall For 2011 Release, Harold Ramis Claims in Theaters "Christmas 2012", Bill Murray Says "It's Just a Myth" |first=Peter |last=Sciretta |date=May 3, 2010 |publisher=/Film |access-date=May 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124043230/http://www.slashfilm.com/ghostbuster-3-dan-aykroyd-says-filming-starts-this-fall-for-2011-release-harold-ramis-claims-in-theaters-christmas-2012-bill-murray-says-its-just-a-myth/ |archive-date=November 24, 2010 |url-status=live}} That October, Aykroyd commented on the screenplay written by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, stating that he was particularly impressed with the writing of Murray's character and the implementation of the new team with the original while he and Ramis worked on a second draft of the script.{{cite web |title=Dan Aykroyd Writing Ghostbusters 3 Script, Selling Vodka Out Of His RV |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/10/dan-akroyd-writing-ghostbusters-3-script-selling-vodka-out-of-his-rv.html |first=Susan |last=Michals |date=October 5, 2010 |publisher=Vanity Fair |access-date=October 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614154219/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/10/dan-akroyd-writing-ghostbusters-3-script-selling-vodka-out-of-his-rv.html |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=live}}

By August 2011, Aykroyd stated that filming was scheduled to begin later that year with a story focused on passing the Ghostbusters mantle to the younger actors.{{cite web |url=http://www.dennismillerradio.com/b/Ghostbusters-3-is-a-Go-for-2012/684614096206669639.html |title=Interview Clips: 'Ghostbusters 3' is a Go for 2012 |date=August 25, 2011 |work=The Dennis Miller Show |publisher=Westwood One |access-date=September 7, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910095612/http://www.dennismillerradio.com/b/Ghostbusters-3-is-a-Go-for-2012/684614096206669639.html |archive-date=September 10, 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=81518 |title=Dan Aykroyd Drops Significant Ghostbusters 3 Details |date=August 25, 2011 |publisher=ComingSoon.net |access-date=September 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927170435/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=81518 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=live}} When Murray decided against reprising his role, Aykroyd said another actor might replace him.{{cite web |last=O'Neal |first=Sean |url=https://www.avclub.com/dan-aykroyd-now-saying-hell-just-recast-bill-murrays-pa-1798229829 |title=Dan Aykroyd now saying he'll just recast Bill Murray's part in Ghostbusters 3 |publisher=The A.V. Club |date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023091536/http://www.avclub.com/articles/dan-aykroyd-now-saying-hell-just-recast-bill-murra,69274/ |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=live}} Aykroyd also said he wanted retired actor Rick Moranis to return as Louis Tully.{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/dan-aykroyd-ghostbusters-3-rumours/ |title=Dan Aykroyd On Ghostbusters 3 Rumours |first=Ali |last=Plumb |date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=Empire | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190119123641/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/dan-aykroyd-ghostbusters-3-rumours/ | archive-date = January 19, 2019 | url-status = live}} By February 2012, the film was placed on hold as the production team re-evaluated the project. Without Murray, the studio searched for replacement actors and considered including his character as a CGI-rendered ghost.{{cite web |title=Ghostbusters 3: Suspended Animation |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/121/1219663p1.html?RSSwhen2012-02-29_101500&RSSid=1219663 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=June 23, 2012 |date=February 29, 2012 |archive-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221090639/http://movies.ign.com/articles/121/1219663p1.html?RSSwhen2012-02-29_101500&RSSid=1219663 |url-status=live}} In June, Murray again acknowledged all involved were attempting to develop the third film before dropping out of the film the following month.{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/329029/ghostbusters-3-back-on-track-with-new-screenwriter-but-will-bill-murray-be-aboard |title=Ghostbusters 3 Back on Track With New Screenwriter, but Will Bill Murray Be Aboard? |publisher=E! Online UK |date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513145258/http://www.eonline.com/news/329029/ghostbusters-3-back-on-track-with-new-screenwriter-but-will-bill-murray-be-aboard |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Bill Murray Updates 'Ghostbusters 3' on Letterman: 'We'll Try Again' |url=https://screencrush.com/bill-murray-ghostbusters-3/ |publisher=ScreenCrush |access-date=June 23, 2012 |first=Sean |last=O'Connell |date=June 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621132217/http://screencrush.com/bill-murray-ghostbusters-3/ |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/film/907075-dan-aykroyd-im-sad-bill-murray-wont-be-in-ghostbusters-3 |author=Williams, Andrew |title=Dan Aykroyd: I'm sad Bill Murray won't be in Ghostbusters 3 |work=Metro |date=August 2, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803164505/http://www.metro.co.uk/film/907075-dan-aykroyd-im-sad-bill-murray-wont-be-in-ghostbusters-3 |archive-date=August 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} In July, Aykroyd confirmed the film was back in development with a script re-write from Etan Cohen.{{cite web |date=July 11, 2012 |author=Nick Levine |url=https://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/new-ghostbusters-sequel-hires-men-in-black-3-wr/274670 |title=New 'Ghostbusters' sequel hires 'Men In Black 3' writer | Film & TV News |publisher=NME.com |access-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303042940/http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/new-ghostbusters-sequel-hires-men-in-black-3-wr/274670 |archive-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=live}} Aykroyd said of the script: "It's got to be perfect. That's the whole thing. There's no point in doing it unless it's perfect. So that's what we're up to now." By September, Reitman announced the developments of a remake.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/ivan-reitman-lauren-shuler-donner-dave-blu-ray-interview/197275 |title=Ivan Reitman and Lauren Shuler Donner DAVE Blu-ray Interview |page=197275 |publisher=Collider |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606050253/http://collider.com/ivan-reitman-lauren-shuler-donner-dave-blu-ray-interview/197275/ |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |url-status=live}} In May 2013, Aykroyd discussed plot points including real experiments being done by college students at Columbia University as a source of inspiration. The plot would revolve around research being done by the university, which would bring about threats from other dimensions. A new team of Ghostbusters would form to save Earth's plane of existence from supernatural threats.{{cite web |last=Pantozzi |first=Jill |title=Dan Aykroyd May Have Just Given Us Concrete Ghostbusters 3 Plot Information |url=http://www.themarysue.com/dan-ackroyd-ghostbusters3/ |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=July 26, 2013|date=May 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610061416/http://www.themarysue.com/dan-ackroyd-ghostbusters3/|archive-date=June 10, 2013|url-status=live}} The script reportedly included Murray's character with hopes Murray would decide to join the production.{{cite web |url=http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-5/dan-aykroyd |title=The Project Dan Aykroyd Interview |publisher=Network Ten |date=October 18, 2013 |access-date=October 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021082529/http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-5/dan-aykroyd |archive-date=October 21, 2013}}

Following the death of Harold Ramis on February 24, 2014,{{cite news |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/-ghostbusters--actor-harold-ramis-dies-at-69-173530161.html |title=Harold Ramis, Star of 'Ghostbusters', Director of 'Caddyshack', Dies at 69 |author=Doty, Meriah |work=Yahoo! Movies |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=February 25, 2014 |date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225000238/http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/-ghostbusters--actor-harold-ramis-dies-at-69-173530161.html |archive-date=February 25, 2014 |url-status=live}} Sony/Columbia stated that Ramis would appear in a cameo in the film. The film was delayed again to rework the script.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ghostbusters-iii-script-be-reworked-683518 |title='Ghostbusters III' Script to Be Reworked Following Harold Ramis' Death |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |first2=Borys |last2=Kit |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916155856/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ghostbusters-iii-script-be-reworked-683518 |archive-date=September 16, 2014 |url-status=live}} By March 2015, Reitman was no longer attached to direct the third film, but would remain as producer, with plans to begin principal photography by early 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-reboot-ivan-reitman-as-689490 |author=Kit, Borys |title=Ivan Reitman Out as 'Ghostbusters' Reboot Director |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 19, 2014 |date=March 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320201537/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-reboot-ivan-reitman-as-689490 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |url-status=live}} Weaver wanted her character's son to feature as a member of the team, and Reitman said he had already been included in the script.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/ghostbusters-making-of |title=The Making of Ghostbusters: How Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and "The Hurricane" Built "The Perfect Comedy" |last=Blume |first=Lesley |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=June 9, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210165946/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/ghostbusters-making-of |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |url-status=live}}

A new film connected to the original two films was revealed in January 2019. Ivan Reitman's son Jason was confirmed to direct from a script he co-wrote with Gil Kenan while Ivan would serve as a producer. The film would feature teenagers—two males and two females—as the recruits for the Ghostbusters team.

Jason Reitman said the film ignores the events of 2016's Ghostbusters reboot, which was directed by Paul Feig.{{cite web | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/jason-reitman-ghostbusters-fans | title=Jason Reitman Promises New Ghostbusters Will "Hand the Movie Back to the Fans" | website=Vanity Fair | date=February 20, 2019 | access-date=June 17, 2022 | archive-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817112105/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/jason-reitman-ghostbusters-fans | url-status=live }}{{citation needed|date=January 2021|reason=direct quotations should be cited directly.}} Reitman said he did not mean to snub the 2016 film and that he had "nothing but admiration" for Feig. Feig said Reitman had been a supporter of his film and that he "can't wait to see his take on the Ghostbusters universe". Reitman later said the idea of a teenage girl wanting to be a Ghostbuster had come to him, and with a positive reaction from Feig's film, proved the idea that anyone could be a Ghostbuster would work. Reitman also said the Ghostbusters franchise could readily expand on this idea with all types of people becoming Ghostbusters, personally thanking Feig for making this possible. Reitman considered, unlike the three prior Ghostbusters films—all of which involve people going into the ghostbusting business—he wanted to make this film about family first. With Kenan, Reitman created a script based around the Spengler family and the reason they are so disconnected. According to Dan Aykroyd: "Jason Reitman wrote a beautiful, heartfelt script that takes the real DNA from the first two movies and transfers that directly to the third, the next generation. It hands the legacy off to a new generation of stars, players, actors, and characters."{{cite web | date = November 8, 2019 | first = Cameron | last = Bonomolo | url = https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/11/08/ghostbusters-2020-dan-aykroyd-confirms-return-original-cast-murray-weaver-potts-hudson-gb20/ | title = Ghostbusters 2020: Dan Aykroyd Confirms Return of Original Cast | access-date = November 8, 2019 | work = ComicBook.com | archive-date = November 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191109002706/https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/11/08/ghostbusters-2020-dan-aykroyd-confirms-return-original-cast-murray-weaver-potts-hudson-gb20/ | url-status = live}} Murray, who was also confirmed to be reprising Peter Venkman, was positive about the script. Ramis's daughter Violet (whom Reitman befriended during the filming of the first film), gave her blessing after reading an early version of the screenplay, saying that the story "captures the spirit of what the old movies are". She occasionally visited the sets and was (at the insistence of Reitman and propmaster Guillaume DeLouche) photographed wearing her late father's proton pack prop from the first film while prop makers from The Hand Prop Room in Los Angeles were building lighter replicas of it for Mckenna Grace to wear.

With a script centered around family, Reitman felt it was appropriate to change the backdrop from New York City to the American West to give the film a new identity and a different color palette. The script was structured to slowly reveal the connection to the Egon Spengler character, which would bring in elements of earlier Ghostbusters films. For example, the film sees Aykroyd's character return to running Ray's Occult Books, as seen in Ghostbusters II, but only the events of the original film are directly referenced.{{cite web |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Trailer Breakdown with Director Jason Reitman |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-breakdown-jason-reitman |work=IGN |access-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727131553/https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-breakdown-jason-reitman |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/877996/how-ghostbusters-afterlife-brought-rays-occult-book-shop-back-to-life/ |title=How Ghostbusters: Afterlife Brought Ray's Occult Book Shop Back To Life |author=Joshua Meyer |date=May 28, 2022 |website=/Film |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605042044/https://www.slashfilm.com/877996/how-ghostbusters-afterlife-brought-rays-occult-book-shop-back-to-life/ |url-status=live }}

The castings of Mckenna Grace as the young female protagonist, Finn Wolfhard as her brother, and Carrie Coon as their single mother were revealed in March 2019. Reitman described Grace as an avid fan of the series and a perfect fit for his concept of a teenage female Ghostbuster. Wolfhard, who had dressed as a Ghostbuster during the second season of Stranger Things, was unsure he would get the role, saying that "Jason Reitman is probably not even going to look at my tape" because of that.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/finn-wolfhard-stranger-things-mike-will-fight-ghostbusters-1223941 |title=Finn Wolfhard on 'Stranger Things', 'Ghostbusters 2020' and Hanging Out With 'It' Co-Star Bill Hader |first=Brian |last=Davids |date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190713134854/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/finn-wolfhard-stranger-things-mike-will-fight-ghostbusters-1223941 | archive-date = July 13, 2019 | url-status = live}} Paul Rudd was cast in the film in June, later confirming his role of Mr. Grooberson, the children's new teacher who knows of the Ghostbusters' legacy. Rudd himself had worked with Harold Ramis in an uncredited role for his final film Year One.

Newcomers Celeste O'Connor and Logan Kim were cast in July.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/ghostbusters-2020-cast-celeste-oconnor-logan-kim-newcomers-1203261342/ |title='Ghostbusters 2020' Rounds Out Cast With Two Newcomers |first=Justin |last=Kroll |date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |work=Variety | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190711103257/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/ghostbusters-2020-cast-celeste-oconnor-logan-kim-newcomers-1203261342/ | archive-date = July 11, 2019 | url-status = live}} Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts were confirmed to be reprising their roles from the first two Ghostbusters films.{{cite web | url = https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/01/hanging-with-bill-murray-on-the-set-of-ghostbusters-afterlife | title = Exclusive: Hanging With Bill Murray on the Set of Ghostbusters: Afterlife | first = Anthony | last = Breznican | date = January 23, 2020 | access-date = January 23, 2020 | work = Vanity Fair | archive-date = February 23, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200223000350/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/01/hanging-with-bill-murray-on-the-set-of-ghostbusters-afterlife | url-status = live}} Rick Moranis, who also appeared in the first two Ghostbusters films, did not return to reprise his role in the film.{{cite web | url = https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-rick-moranis-no-cameo/ | title = Ghostbusters: Why Rick Moranis Didn't Return in Afterlife | first = Andrew | last = Wasket-Burt | date = November 21, 2021 | access-date = June 4, 2022 | work = Screen Rant | archive-date = April 16, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220416043737/https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-rick-moranis-no-cameo/ | url-status= live}}

Reitman shot on location and relied on practical effect as much as possible to maintain stylistic continuity with the original films. The Spengler farmhouse was a practical set built on a ridge that recalled the Psycho house. An old barn was relocated and reconstructed piece-by-piece on location for the unveiling of Ecto-1. Two Ectomobiles were used during filming. While the vehicles were vintage 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinels, modern performance engines and suspension upgrades were required to complete the stunt sequences which were filmed on real city streets.{{cite podcast |url=https://gocreativeshow.com/designing-ghostbusters-afterlife-with-francois-audouy/ |title=Designing Ghostbusters Afterlife (with Francois Audouy) |website=Go Creative Show |publisher=Spotify |host=Ben Consoli |date=December 7, 2021 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528155015/https://gocreativeshow.com/designing-ghostbusters-afterlife-with-francois-audouy/ |url-status=live }}

Reitman and the production crew reviewed the designs of the original film's ghosts and other supernatural creatures for use in Afterlife, observing the designs looked different from each other and were distinct. The creature known as "Muncher", co-created by creature designer Brynn Metheney, is similar to Slimer; Reitman explained: "Something happened to Slimer over the years that people started thinking of him as the dalmatian of the firehouse. The original Slimer was an angry dude and very scary and we wanted to get back to that", and Metheney wanted to make Muncher whom "the audience can latch on to" easily, giving him a universal appeal of him being "funny and cool and cute and weird in every way" like Slimer yet completely new and different from his green predecessor. Though the film did not reveal Muncher's origin, Metheney's character personality reveals that the ghost in life was a miner "conjured into existence by a séance gone wrong in the 1940s" at Summerville Foundry's supervisor's office and he has haunted the plant ever since then, "after terrorizing the group that contacted him". Her most ambitious design was the Mini-Pufts; she wanted to give them a realistic look on scale and texture of authentic marshmallows than the colossal Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, even bought packages of them to make tiny marshmallow men for visual references and inspirations. For the scenes of Summerville Crossrip, Metheney created the "flaming phantasms" that chase a firetruck and pedestrians outside the Spinners Roller Hop and included the animated series The Real Ghostbusters' popular three-eye ghost Bug-Eye in homage to the show. Other apparition concepts that did not make the final cut include a rancher ghost, Louise the crossing guard ghost of Summerville Middle School, possessed balloons and sandwiches, and more miner ghosts (Dynamite, Pick Axe, Lunchbox, Coats, and Shovel) after Muncher. Creature effects designer Arjen Tuiten, who is a fan of the first film's special effects artist Steve Johnson, personally created the "Old Miner Ghost" in resemblance to his idol's "Zombie Taxi Ghost" without Metheney's involvement.

Egon's Aztec Death Whistle was designed by Landon Lott under Jason Reitman's instruction, and despite the claim in the film that whistles like it is "designed to ward off evil spirits", their actual purpose remains unclear.{{cite web |last1=Westmaas |first1=Reuben |title=The Aztec Death Whistle Makes One of the Scariest Sounds You'll Ever Hear |url=https://www.discovery.com/nature/Aztec-Death-Whistle |website=Discovery |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303082639/https://www.discovery.com/nature/Aztec-Death-Whistle |url-status=live }}

Ramis's likeness was recreated with digital makeup created by Pier Lefebvre and his team at Moving Picture Company (MPC) Film in Los Angeles, scanned from his appearance in the original films to create his digital double with alterations on it based on several photographs and footage of him being aged taken before his death. Bob Gunton and Ivan Reitman (his right hand holding Mckenna Grace's to steady the barrel of a proton pack's neutron wand) physically performed the role. Special effects technicians and puppeteers, including Ronald Binion (suit puppeteer for Slimer in the 2016 Ghostbusters film), portrayed Egon's poltergeist by puppeteering objects and lights in his house and storm-cellar laboratory.

Under the working title "Rust City", principal photography began on July 12, 2019, in and around Calgary, Alberta, and lasted until October. Location filming occurred in surrounding communities such as Crossfield, Beiseker,{{cite web |url=http://0400425.netsolhost.com/beiseker/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NOTIFICATIONOFFILMING.pdf |title=Notification of Filming in Beiseker, Alberta |date=July 18, 2019 |access-date=July 31, 2019 |work=Village of Beiseker | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190731171936/http://0400425.netsolhost.com/beiseker/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NOTIFICATIONOFFILMING.pdf | archive-date = July 31, 2019 | url-status = live}} Drumheller and Fort Macleod (Muncher chase scene) during July and August.{{cite news |last=Rieger |first=Sarah |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer sees the Ecto-1 drive through some familiar Alberta locations |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ghostbusters-trailer-alberta-1.5390305 |access-date=December 10, 2019 |publisher=CBC News |date=December 9, 2019 |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210170253/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ghostbusters-trailer-alberta-1.5390305 |url-status=live}} Other locations around Alberta were also used.{{cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/ghostbusters-2020-production-start-ecto-1-photo/ |title=Ecto-1 Rolls Out as Ghostbusters: Rust City Begins Shooting |first=Kevin |last=Burwick |date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |work=MovieWeb | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190713005958/https://movieweb.com/ghostbusters-2020-production-start-ecto-1-photo/ | archive-date = July 13, 2019 | url-status = live}}{{cite web |url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/movies/what-we-know-or-think-we-know-about-ghostbusters-2020 |title=What we know about Ghostbusters 2020, being shot in and around Calgary |first=Eric |last=Volmers |date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |work=The Calgary Herald | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190713054543/https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/movies/what-we-know-or-think-we-know-about-ghostbusters-2020 | archive-date = July 13, 2019 | url-status = live}} Filming was wrapped after sixty-eight days on October 18.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/ghostbusters-2020-wraps-filming/ |title=Jason Reitman Posts Wrap Photo from the Set of 'Ghostbusters: Rust City' |first=Gregory |last=Lawrence |date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |work=Collider |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019003825/https://collider.com/ghostbusters-2020-wraps-filming/ |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Ghostbusters: Afterlife (soundtrack)}}

The score for Ghostbusters: Afterlife was composed by Rob Simonsen and conducted by William Ross and Anthony Parnther. Simonsen studied Elmer Bernstein's score for the first Ghostbusters film and recruited Bernstein's son Peter, who guided the orchestration of Simonsen's score and the use of material from Ghostbusters (1984), as a score consultant.{{citation needed|date=January 2022|reason=BLP refs needed in this paragraph}} Simonsen used the ondes martenot throughout the score, which was played by Cynthia Millar, who played the same instrument on Bernstein's 1984 Ghostbusters score. The soundtrack was released on Compact Disc on November 19, 2021.

The songs "Ghostbusters", which was performed by Ray Parker Jr., and "Haunted House", which was written and performed by Mckenna Grace are heard during the film's end credits.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-star-mckenna-grace-163744325.html |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife star Mckenna Grace sings that pop-punk banger at the movie's end |first=Nick |last=Romano |date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |work=Yahoo News |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120150346/https://www.yahoo.com/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-star-mckenna-grace-163744325.html |url-status=live}} The songs "The Clapping Song" by Shirley Ellis, "Baby It's You" by The Shirelles, "Can You Get to That" by Funkadelic, "Boredom" by Buzzcocks,{{cite web |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/11/18/ghostbusters-afterlife-soundtrack-every-song-in-the-film-explored/ |title=GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE SOUNDTRACK: EVERY SONG IN THE FILM EXPLORED |first=Jo |last=Craig |date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |work=Hitc |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120150131/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/11/18/ghostbusters-afterlife-soundtrack-every-song-in-the-film-explored/ |url-status=live}} "All Your Love (I Miss Loving)" by Otis Rush, "Muddy Water" by The Delmore Brothers, "Wait a Minute Girl" by The Newday, "Foolish Try" by Kelly's Lot, and "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson are used in the film.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife was originally scheduled to be released in the United States on July 10, 2020, by Sony Pictures Releasing but its release was postponed to March 5, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sony pushed the film to June 11, 2021,{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-release-date-summer-1234812430/ |title='Ghostbusters' Sequel Moves to Summer 2021 |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023033440/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-release-date-summer-1234812430/ |url-status=live}} then later shifted the release to November 11, 2021.{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2021/04/cinderella-ghostbusters-afterlife-peter-rabbit-2-uncharted-release-date-changes-1234678097/ | title = Sony's 'Cinderella' Dances To Summer, 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' To Fall, 'Uncharted' Eyes 2022 & More | first = Anthony | last = D'Alessandro | date = January 21, 2021 | access-date = January 21, 2021 | work = Deadline Hollywood | archive-date = January 22, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210122012700/https://deadline.com/2021/01/cinderella-ghostbusters-afterlife-peter-rabbit-2-uncharted-release-date-changes-1234678097/ | url-status = live}}{{Cite web |last=Evangelista |first=Chris |date=June 10, 2020 |title=Upcoming Sony IMAX Releases Include 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife', 'Venom 2', 'Morbius', and 'Uncharted' |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/sony-imax-releases/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612054510/https://www.slashfilm.com/sony-imax-releases/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |website=/Film}} The film's release was again postponed to November 19. The film was dedicated to Ramis and executive producer Tom Pollock (who died shortly before its completion), and the former is commemorated before its closing credits.

The film was given a surprise screening on August 23 during the 2021 CinemaCon event in Las Vegas;{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2021/08/ghostbusters-afterlife-surprise-cinemacon-screening-1234820582/ | title = Sony Surprises At CinemaCon With 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Screening | first1 = Anthony | last1 = D'Alessandro | first2 = Nancy | last2 = Tartaglione | date = August 23, 2021 | access-date = August 23, 2021 | work = Deadline Hollywood | archive-date = August 24, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210824015544/https://deadline.com/2021/08/ghostbusters-afterlife-surprise-cinemacon-screening-1234820582/ | url-status = live}} and another for fans at the 2021 New York Comic Con.{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=October 8, 2021|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife': Jason & Ivan Reitman Throw A Surprise Screening For Fans At NYCC|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/ghostbusters-afterlife-nycc-surprise-screening-1234853086/|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011062818/https://deadline.com/2021/10/ghostbusters-afterlife-nycc-surprise-screening-1234853086/}}

In August 2019, toy manufacturer and multimedia company Hasbro obtained the master toy license for the Ghostbusters franchise, with the new products (including action figures and role-play items) originally scheduled to be released in stores in April 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hasbro-launch-real-ghostbusters-action-figures-spring-1280567 |title=Hasbro to Launch 'Real Ghostbusters' Action Figures This Spring |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 22, 2020 |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-date=February 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223165136/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/heat-vision/hasbro-launch-real-ghostbusters-action-figures-spring-1280567|url-status=live}} Because of the pandemic delays to the film's release date, the introduction of Ghostbusters: Afterlife toys to market was also delayed. Target received exclusive versions of some toys ahead of the projected June 2021 release date, but further rollouts were held back when the studio announced an additional delay until November.{{cite web|url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2021/01/07/update-on-hasbros-ghostbusters-release-schedule-including-long-awaited-fright-features-line/|title=Update on Hasbro's Ghostbusters release schedule including long-awaited Fright Features line|website=Ghostbusters News|date=January 7, 2021|access-date=April 23, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107232558/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2021/01/07/update-on-hasbros-ghostbusters-release-schedule-including-long-awaited-fright-features-line/|url-status=live}} {{Better source needed|reason=WP:FANSITE|date=September 2023}} A new line of Hasbro action figures based on the film was unveiled on the same day the second trailer debuted. It included several characters and costumes that had not been seen in any promotional material for the film before.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ghostbusters-afterlife-plasma-series-unites-original-team-with-new-characters/|title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Plasma series unites the original team with new characters|website=CNET|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2021|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728200128/https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ghostbusters-afterlife-plasma-series-unites-original-team-with-new-characters/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-hasbro-toys-revealed/|title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Hasbro Toys Revealed|website=ComicBook.com|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2021|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729164017/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-hasbro-toys-revealed/|url-status=live}} In November, Zaxby's promoted the film with a commercial featuring Ghostbusters: Afterlife{{'s}} Mini-Pufts.{{cite web |url = https://www.restaurantnews.com/zaxbys-teams-up-with-sony-pictures-for-ghostbusters-afterlife-111621/ |title = Zaxby's Teams up With Sony Pictures for 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' |website = RestaurantNews.com |date = November 17, 2021 |access-date = December 8, 2021 |archive-date = December 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211208012949/https://www.restaurantnews.com/zaxbys-teams-up-with-sony-pictures-for-ghostbusters-afterlife-111621/ |url-status = live }}

Following the film's theatrical screenings, it was released digitally on January 4, 2022, and on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray on February 1 in North America.{{cite web |last1=DeVore |first1=Britta |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' 4K Blu-ray, DVD Release Date Set |url=https://collider.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-4k-blu-ray-dvd-digital-release-date/ |website=Collider |date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=22 December 2021 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222081316/https://collider.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-4k-blu-ray-dvd-digital-release-date/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=21 December 2021 |last1=Cavanaugh |first1=Patrick |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Gets Home Video Release Date |website=Comicbook |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-home-video-details-release-date/ |access-date=22 December 2021 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222233755/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-home-video-details-release-date/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife DVD Release Date January 31, 2022. |url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9423/ghostbusters-afterlife |website=DVDReleaseDates.com |access-date=22 December 2021 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222080030/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9423/ghostbusters-afterlife |url-status=live }}

After its digital release on PVOD services, the film acquired the top position on iTunes and Vudu, while being placed second on Google Play. Overall, it spent four weeks at the top position on iTunes and Vudu, while spending five weeks at the top rank on Google Play.{{cite web|date=January 11, 2022|title='Sing 2' Gets Aggressive on VOD and 'Don't Look Up' Spends Third Week at #1|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/01/vod-charts-dont-look-up-third-week-at-top-of-netflix-top-10-1234689679/|author=Tom Brueggemann|work=Indiewire|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115201807/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/01/vod-charts-dont-look-up-third-week-at-top-of-netflix-top-10-1234689679/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=January 31, 2022|title=Post-HBO Max Rollout, Both 'Dune' and 'The Matrix Resurrections' Thrive on VOD|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/01/vod-dune-the-matrix-resurrections-1234695300/|author=Tom Brueggemann|work=Indiewire|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131221839/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/01/vod-dune-the-matrix-resurrections-1234695300/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=March 1, 2022|title='Drive My Car' Is Available Today for Just $5.99 — and on HBO Max Tomorrow|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/drive-my-car-hbo-max-vod-1234703003/|author=Tom Brueggemann|work=Indiewire|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401054735/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/drive-my-car-hbo-max-vod-1234703003/|url-status=live}} The film debuted at the second position on Redbox's digital chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/venom-let-there-be-carnage-returns-to-top-spot-on-redbox-disc-rental-chart/|title='Venom: Let There Be Carnage' Returns to Top Spot on Redbox Disc Rental Chart|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=January 12, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=January 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129073539/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/venom-let-there-be-carnage-returns-to-top-spot-on-redbox-disc-rental-chart/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-takes-over-lead-on-redbox-charts/|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Takes Over Lead on Redbox Charts|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=February 9, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308235146/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-takes-over-lead-on-redbox-charts/|url-status=live}} It was the top-selling digital title on "Redbox On Demand" for four consecutive weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/house-of-gucci-tops-redbox-disc-rentals-ghostbusters-still-leads-on-digital-chart/|title='House of Gucci' Tops Redbox Disc Rentals; 'Ghostbusters' Still Leads on Digital Chart|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=March 2, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401061334/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/house-of-gucci-tops-redbox-disc-rentals-ghostbusters-still-leads-on-digital-chart/|url-status=live}}

After debuting on disc, it acquired the top position on the "NPD VideoScan First Alert" chart which tracks combined DVD and Blu-ray sales.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-scares-up-top-spot-on-disc-sales-charts/|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Scares Up Top Spot on Disc Sales Charts|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=February 10, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228205357/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-scares-up-top-spot-on-disc-sales-charts/|url-status=live}} It sold 285,642 units overall for $5.3 million. It maintained its position in the overall sales for the following week, while being displaced from the top position in the Blu-ray sales by Encanto.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-remains-top-overall-disc-seller-encanto-tops-blu-ray-sales-chart/|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Remains Top Overall Disc Seller; 'Encanto' Tops Blu-ray Sales Chart|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=February 17, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218053449/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-remains-top-overall-disc-seller-encanto-tops-blu-ray-sales-chart/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/eternals-debuts-atop-disc-sales-charts/|title='Eternals' Debuts Atop Disc Sales Charts|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=February 24, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401055936/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/eternals-debuts-atop-disc-sales-charts/|url-status=live}} It was also the most-rented film from Redbox kiosks for three consecutive weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-tops-redbox-charts-for-third-week/|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Tops Redbox Charts for Third Week|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=February 23, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401061726/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-tops-redbox-charts-for-third-week/|url-status=live}}

The film was the highest-selling title for February according to the "NPD VideoScan First Alert" chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-tops-february-home-video-sales-jumps-to-no-1-for-2022/|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Tops February Home Video Sales, Jumps to No. 1 for 2022|author=John Latchem|work=Media Play News|date=March 12, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401072445/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-tops-february-home-video-sales-jumps-to-no-1-for-2022/|url-status=live}}

In April 2021, Sony signed a deal with Disney giving them access to their legacy content, including past Ghostbusters films, including Ghostbusters: Afterlife to stream on Disney+ and Hulu and appear on Disney's linear television networks. Disney's access to Sony's titles would come following their availability on Netflix.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=2021-04-21 |title=Sony Films Will Move to Disney After Netflix Window Expires |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disney-nabs-post-pay-1-rights-for-sonys-feature-films-4170479/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421230835/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-nabs-post-pay-1-rights-for-sonys-feature-films |url-status=live }}

Ghostbusters: Afterlife grossed $129.4{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $75{{nbsp}}million in other territories, grossing $204.3 million worldwide. Scott Mendelson of Forbes described the film's theatrical run as "relatively successful" and said it was "made cheaply enough to be a hit".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/01/04/box-office-afterlife-proves-overseas-audiences-dont-care-about-ghostbusters/ |title=Box Office: 'Afterlife' Proves Foreign Moviegoers Don't Care About 'Ghostbusters' |date=January 4, 2022 |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=Forbes |access-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301111141/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/01/04/box-office-afterlife-proves-overseas-audiences-dont-care-about-ghostbusters/ |url-status=live }}

In the United States and Canada, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released alongside King Richard,{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/box-office-ghostbusters-afterlife-king-richard-estimates-1235113223/|title=Box Office: 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Targets $30 Million Debut, 'King Richard' to Serve Up $10 Million Start|date=November 17, 2021|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|magazine=Variety|access-date=November 17, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119215701/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/box-office-ghostbusters-afterlife-king-richard-estimates-1235113223/|url-status=live}} and earned $16.6 million on its first day—including $4.5 million from Thursday night previews, $1 million more than the 2016 film. The film debuted to revenues of $44 million, topping the box office.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 20, 2021 |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Calls Up $44M Opening Weekend – Sunday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-opening-weekend-1234877444/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120003614/https://deadline.com/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-opening-weekend-1234877444/ |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} It made $5.3 million on Thanksgiving and $24.2 million in its second weekend, finishing second behind newcomer Encanto.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/encanto-house-of-gucci-thanksgiving-box-office-weekend-summary-1234881076/|title='Encanto' & 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Split Families, 'House Of Gucci' Best Opening For Drama In Two Years – Thanksgiving Box Office, Sunday Update|date=November 28, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 28, 2021|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128162125/https://deadline.com/2021/11/encanto-house-of-gucci-thanksgiving-box-office-weekend-summary-1234881076/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W48/occasion/us_thanksgiving_3/|title=Domestic 2021 Weekend 48: November 26-28, 2021 – Thanksgiving 3-Day weekend (US)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203153704/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W48/occasion/us_thanksgiving_3/|url-status=live}}

In its third weekend, the film earned $10.35 million and exceeded $100 million in the U.S. and Canada.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/weekend-box-office-encanto-spider-man-no-way-home-1234884813/|title=Encanto Leads & Ghostbusters: Afterlife Crosses $100M In Lackluster Post-Holiday Weekend, But Good Times Ahead With Spider-Man – Sunday Update|date=December 5, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 5, 2021|archive-date=December 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205101834/https://deadline.com/2021/12/weekend-box-office-encanto-spider-man-no-way-home-1234884813/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W49/|title=Domestic 2021 Weekend 49|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 8, 2021|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208163807/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W49/|url-status=live}} In its fourth weekend, the film dropped to third place at the box office and earned $7.1 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/west-side-story-opening-weekend-1234888675/|title=West Side Story Isn't Kicking Up With $10M+ Opening: What That Means Right Now During Another Pandemic Holiday – Sunday Update|date=December 12, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 14, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210213829/https://deadline.com/2021/12/west-side-story-opening-weekend-1234888675/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W50/|title=Domestic 2021 Weekend 50|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 14, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214021424/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W50/|url-status=live}} It made $3.4 million in its fifth weekend, placing fourth,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/spider-man-no-way-home-50m-preview-easily-pandemic-record-all-time-for-sony-100m-friday-likely-1234898486/|title=Spider-Man: No Way Home Defeats Infinity War & Notches 2nd Highest Domestic Opening At The Box Office With $260M|date=December 20, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 20, 2021|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102130337/https://deadline.com/2021/12/spider-man-no-way-home-50m-preview-easily-pandemic-record-all-time-for-sony-100m-friday-likely-1234898486/|url-status=live}} and $1.2 million in its sixth, finishing eleventh.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W52/|title=Domestic 2021 Weekend 52|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229211623/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W52/|url-status=live}} The film returned to the box-office top ten in its seventh weekend, earning $1.5 million and finishing seventh.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W53/|title=Domestic 2021 Weekend 53|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104183624/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W53/|url-status=live}} In its eighth weekend, the film made $1.1 million and finished eighth.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W01/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 1|date=January 10, 2022|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=January 10, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109184407/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W01/|url-status=live}} The film returned to the box office top ten in its eleventh weekend, earning $776,451 and finishing eighth.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W04/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 4|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 1, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316003305/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W04/|url-status=live}}

Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore said Ghostbusters: Afterlife opened to a "really solid number" that showed the "brand is really powerful even some 37 years after the original became a cultural phenomenon". The Associated Press noted the "crucial difference" between this film and the 2016 reboot is that Ghostbusters: Afterlife "cost about half as much to make".{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/ghostbusters-afterlife-captures-44-million-theaters-81313553|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' captures $44 million in theaters|date=November 21, 2021|first=Lindsey|last=Bahr|agency=ABC News|access-date=January 20, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210200243/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/ghostbusters-afterlife-captures-44-million-theaters-81313553|url-status=live}} Variety described the film's opening weekend box office as "stronger-than-expected" and "an important victory for the studio after it failed in 2016 to revive the decades-old series".{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/ghostbusters-afterlife-box-office-franchise-future-1235116871/|title=Does 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Box Office Debut Signal a Revival of a Fading Franchise?|date=November 22, 2021|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|magazine=Variety|access-date=January 20, 2021|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122152812/https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/ghostbusters-afterlife-box-office-franchise-future-1235116871/|url-status=live}}

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, {{RT data|score}} of {{RT data|count}} critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife crosses the streams between franchise revival and exercise in nostalgia – and this time around, the bustin' mostly feels good."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |title= |type=m |access-date={{RT data|access-date}}}}{{RT data|edit}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 45 out of 100 based on 47 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{Cite Metacritic |id=ghostbusters-afterlife |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife |type=m |access-date=May 2, 2022}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it an 82% positive score, and 69% said they would recommend it.

Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter described the film's cast as "engaging" and "[having] the comic beats down", and added that "they also play more fully fleshed people than the first film offered, reflecting the director's interest in character-driven stories". She also noted some similarities between the film and Stranger Things, The Wizard of Oz, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.{{cite magazine|last=Linden|first=Sheri|date=October 9, 2021|title=Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd in 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ghostbusters-afterlife-review-1235028451/|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2021|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010094738/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ghostbusters-afterlife-review-1235028451/}} Olly Richards of Empire gave the film a score of four out of five, describing it as "thoroughly lovely" and saying it "firmly establishes its own new generation" while being "full of love for the originals".{{cite magazine|last=Richards|first=Olly|date=October 9, 2021|title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ghostbusters-afterlife/|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2021|magazine=Empire|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010094738/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ghostbusters-afterlife/}} Peter Debruge of Variety described it as an "unnecessary but enjoyable movie", and added: "The good news for Ghostbusters fans is that Afterlife does nothing to tarnish what has come before".{{cite magazine|last=Debruge|first=Peter|date=October 9, 2021|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Review: Ivan Reitman's Son and a Teen Cast Resurrect the Not-Quite-Dead Franchise|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/ghostbusters-afterlife-review-1235084741/|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2021|magazine=Variety|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010094738/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/ghostbusters-afterlife-review-1235084741/}}

William Bibbiani of TheWrap commented that Ghostbusters: Afterlife will probably satisfy fans of Ghostbusters (1984)—particularly those who like finding Easter eggs—but might disappoint viewers who want it to offer something different; but these could still enjoy the film's "slick and straightforward, formulaic craftsmanship".{{cite web |last=Bibbiani|first=William |date=October 9, 2021 |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Film Review: Entertaining Sequel-Reboot Dazzles While Still Feeling Familiar |url=https://www.thewrap.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-film-review-2021-sequel-paul-rudd/ |url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2021 |website=TheWrap |archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010094738/https://www.thewrap.com/ghostbusters-afterlife-film-review-2021-sequel-paul-rudd/}} Scott Mendelson of Forbes gave the film a score of 6 out of 10, describing it as a "charming and witty kid-centric coming-of-age fantasy", but criticized its reliance on "pandering" nostalgic fanservice.{{cite web|last=Mendelson|first=Scott|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Review: Problematic Pandering Can't Derail Charming Kids Fantasy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/10/09/ghostbusters-afterlife-review-jason-reitman-paul-rudd-mckenna-grace/|access-date=October 12, 2021|magazine=Forbes|archive-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012082205/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/10/09/ghostbusters-afterlife-review-jason-reitman-paul-rudd-mckenna-grace/|url-status=live}} Kyle Smith of National Review described the film as "a winsome, endearing summer movie for November, a cunningly engineered generational bridge".{{Cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Kyle|date=November 18, 2021|title=Stay Puft, Marshmallow Man|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/11/movie-review-ghostbusters-afterlife-stay-puft-marshmallow-man/|url-status=live|access-date=November 20, 2021|magazine=National Review|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120011326/https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/11/movie-review-ghostbusters-afterlife-stay-puft-marshmallow-man/}} The Guardian critic Charles Bramesco gave it one out of five, finding it lacks the humor of Ghostbusters (1984) and instead resembles an "Amblin knockoff" that is similar to the television series Stranger Things. Bramensco concluded it is "a nostalgia object, drained of personality and fitted into a dully palatable mold, custom-made for a fandom that worships everything and respects nothing".{{Cite news|last=Bramesco|first=Charles|date=October 11, 2021|title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife review – a slimy, stinking corpse of a sequel|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-jason-reitman-paul-rudd-review|access-date=January 6, 2022|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012040533/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-jason-reitman-paul-rudd-review|url-status=live}}

{{main|Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire{{!}}Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire}}

Aykroyd has expressed interest in having the surviving cast of the original Ghostbusters team reprise their roles in up to three sequels.{{cite web |last1=Fidducia |first1=Christopher |title=Ghostbusters 4, 5 & 6 Could Happen With Original Team, Says Dan Aykroyd |url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-4-afterlife-sequel-returning-cast-dan-aykroyd/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=23 December 2021 |date=18 December 2021 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328012829/https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-4-afterlife-sequel-returning-cast-dan-aykroyd/ |url-status=live }} On the possibility of sequels, David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research said the box-office results were "excellent" and would "encourage Sony to forge ahead with new installments". In April 2022, a sequel was confirmed to be in early development{{Cite magazine |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=April 26, 2022 |title='Venom 3', 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel in the Works at Sony |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/venom-3-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-sony-1235240650/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426192308/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/venom-3-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-sony-1235240650/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=April 26, 2022 |title=Sony Calling Up Another 'Ghostbusters' Movie — CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/ghostbusters-5-new-movie-1235009684/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324173129/https://deadline.com/2022/04/ghostbusters-5-new-movie-1235009684/ |url-status=live }} and it would return to New York City as with prior installments. Mckenna Grace reprises her role,{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1242171-mckenna-grace-confirms-return-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel|title=Mckenna Grace Confirms Return in Ghostbusters: Afterlife Sequel|last=Dela Paz|first=Maggie|date=October 5, 2022|access-date=October 9, 2022|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327014026/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1242171-mckenna-grace-confirms-return-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel|url-status=live}} as well as Logan Kim, Celeste O’Connor, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts.{{Cite web |last=Huff |first=Matthew |date=2024-02-12 |title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Is Almost Here! Everything to Know About the 'Afterlife' Sequel |url=https://parade.com/movies/ghostbusters-frozen-empire |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Parade |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219073434/https://parade.com/movies/ghostbusters-frozen-empire |url-status=live }} The film was released on March 22, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2024-01-09 |title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's Release Date Pushed Forward By Sony |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-release-date-1235700558/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110205422/https://deadline.com/2024/01/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-release-date-1235700558/ |url-status=live }}

In December, Gil Kenan took over as director from Reitman, who remains a writer and producer. Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, and Carrie Coon were also confirmed to return alongside Grace. On March 20, 2023, a photo of Reitman and Kenan was posted to the Ghostbusters Facebook page showing them on the set of the new movie, with the working title Firehouse.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-gil-kenan-1235190148/|title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel Taps Gil Kenan To Direct With Previous Cast Returning|last=Kroll|first=Justin|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 5, 2022|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404085318/https://deadline.com/2022/12/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-gil-kenan-1235190148/|url-status=live}}

A separate animated film from Sony Pictures Animation was also announced to be in development, to be directed by Chris Prynoski and Jennifer Kluska, and written by Brenda Hsueh.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ghostbusters-animated-film-afterlife-sequel-new-york-city-1235288974/|title='Ghostbusters' Animated Film in Development; 'Afterlife' Sequel Set in New York City|magazine=Variety|last=Shafer|first=Ellise|date=June 8, 2022|access-date=June 9, 2022|archive-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415201103/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ghostbusters-animated-film-afterlife-sequel-new-york-city-1235288974/|url-status=live}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist

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{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/01/15/new-ghostbusters-movie-jason-reitman/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Jason Reitman is directing a new 'Ghostbusters' movie |date=January 15, 2019 |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116040753/https://ew.com/movies/2019/01/15/new-ghostbusters-movie-jason-reitman/ |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/jason-reitman-ghostbusters/ |title=Jason Reitman to Direct New 'Ghostbusters' Movie, A Sequel to 1989's 'Ghostbusters 2' |date=January 15, 2019 |last=Pearson |first=Ben |website=/Film |access-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620095527/https://www.slashfilm.com/jason-reitman-ghostbusters/ |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/morbius-ghostbusters-movie-release-dates-2020-1202542336/ |title='Morbius' & 'Ghostbusters' Solidify Summer 2020 Release Dates |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=January 26, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126072733/https://deadline.com/2019/01/morbius-ghostbusters-movie-release-dates-2020-1202542336/ |archive-date=January 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/paul-feig-defends-jason-reitman-after-seemingly-sexist-1832790746 |title=Paul Feig defends Jason Reitman after seemingly sexist Ghostbusters comments |first=Sam |last=Barsanti |date=February 21, 2019 |work=The A.V. Club |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221221314/https://news.avclub.com/paul-feig-defends-jason-reitman-after-seemingly-sexist-1832790746 |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2474872/jason-reitman-answers-major-questions-about-his-ghostbusters-movie |title=Jason Reitman Answers Major Questions About His Ghostbusters Movie |first=Sean |last=O'Connell |date=June 11, 2019 |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612020731/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2474872/jason-reitman-answers-major-questions-about-his-ghostbusters-movie |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-carrie-coon-finn-wolfhard-talks-star-sequel-1191811 |title='Ghostbusters': Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard in Talks to Star |last=Galuppo |first=Mia |date=March 1, 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093532/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-carrie-coon-finn-wolfhard-talks-star-sequel-1191811 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mckenna-grace-star-jason-reitmans-ghostbusters-1198214 |title='Captain Marvel' Actress Mckenna Grace Nabs Starring Role in Jason Reitman's 'Ghostbusters' (Exclusive) |date=March 29, 2019 |last=Kit |first=Borys |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330104258/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mckenna-grace-star-jason-reitmans-ghostbusters-1198214 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/paul-rudd-jason-reitmans-ghostbusters-1203236578/ |title=Paul Rudd Joins 'Ghostbusters 2020' (EXCLUSIVE) |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=June 27, 2019 |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627162457/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/paul-rudd-jason-reitmans-ghostbusters-1203236578/ |archive-date=June 27, 2019 |access-date=June 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{cite tweet |author=Ghostbusters |author-link=Ghostbusters (franchise) |user=Ghostbusters |number=1144274190910066688 |date=June 27, 2019 |title=Look who accepted the call. #GB20 https://t.co/QwYSiw5pBq |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325002318/https://twitter.com/Ghostbusters/status/1144274190910066688 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite magazine |url=https://parade.com/888940/maramovies/sigourney-weaver-career-highlights/ |title=Sigourney Weaver Reminisces on Her Career, Alien and the Upcoming Avatar |first=Mara |last=Reinstein |date=June 7, 2019 |magazine=Parade |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607091623/https://parade.com/888940/maramovies/sigourney-weaver-career-highlights/ |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sony-delays-release-morbius-ghostbusters-due-coronavirus-1285759|title=Sony Delays Release of 'Morbius', 'Ghostbusters', More Films Due to Coronavirus|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331044545/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sony-delays-release-morbius-ghostbusters-due-coronavirus-1285759|archive-date=March 31, 2020|url-status=live}}

{{cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Delayed a Week |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-delayed-1235054013/ |website=Variety |date=September 1, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901183416/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-delayed-1235054013/ |url-status=live}}}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{official website|https://www.ghostbusters.com/}}
• {{IMDb title|4513678|Ghostbusters: Afterlife}}

{{Ghostbusters}}

{{Jason Reitman}}

{{Ivan Reitman}}

{{Gil Kenan}}

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