Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire#Critical response

Three years after the events in Summerville, Oklahoma,{{efn|As depicted in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)}} Callie Spengler, her partner Gary Grooberson, her children Trevor and Phoebe, and their friends Lucky Domingo and Podcast, relocate to New York City to aid Winston Zeddemore and Ray Stantz in re-establishing the Ghostbusters. After the group captures a ghost known as The Hell's Kitchen Sewer Dragon, Walter Peck, the Ghostbusters' long-time opponent and now the city's mayor, threatens to close them down. To appease Peck, Callie removes Phoebe from the team for being underage. Upset, Phoebe plays chess in a nearby park, where she encounters and befriends Melody, a ghost of a teenage girl killed in a fire.

Ray and Podcast collect cursed objects for examination. Nadeem Razmaadi sells them a strange brass orb with ritual markings written in Mesopotamian Arabic. Ray determines it is an apotropaic trap due to copper alloys typically being used in rituals since the Bronze Age, believed to have spiritual conductivity.

When Ray evaluates its psychokinetic energy levels, the orb emits broad-spectrum psionic energy. A cold wave travels from the orb to the Ghostbusters' firehouse headquarters and damages the ecto-containment unit, which is at near capacity. Winston takes the orb to his company's paranormal research and development center, run by Dr. Lars Pinfield. Using an experimental extraction device, he is unable to extract any orenda from it. The orb's captive psychically sabotages one of the center's ecto-confinements, allowing a ghost known as The Possessor to escape and hide in Podcast's equipment. To learn more, Lars joins Trevor and Lucky to see Nadeem, who reveals that his grandmother kept the orb hidden within a brass-lined chamber. Peter Venkman, brought in to help, discovers Nadeem has latent pyrokinetic powers.

Ray, accompanied by Phoebe and Podcast, visits Dr. Hubert Wartzki, a New York Public Library research librarian and anthropologist. Wartzki explains the orb was built over 4,000 years ago in Southwest Asia by four sorcerers called the Firemasters to imprison Garraka, a phantom god who sought to conquer humanity with endowment of "Kusharit Umoti" ("The Death Chill") – "the power to kill by fear itself." Nadeem's grandmother was of the lineage of the Firemasters, who prevented Garraka from escaping the orb in 1904 during a mock ritual conducted by members of the Manhattan Adventurers' Society, whom he froze to death. Garraka was confined in the orb due to being vulnerable to brass. This, combined with fire, and the removal of his horns trapped him within the orb.

When the trio attempts to stop the escaped Possessor from stealing a phonographic recording of the club's ritual, Peck exploits Phoebe's involvement to shut down the Ghostbusters. After an argument with Gary and her mother, Phoebe runs away and takes Melody to Winston's research center. She uses his extraction equipment to project herself as a ghost for two minutes so the pair can physically interact.

Melody reveals she had been secretly working with Garraka, who has offered her passage to the afterlife. By controlling Phoebe's disembodied spirit, Garraka forces her physical body to recite the ritual chant. He then escapes, locates his horns of power in Nadeem's grandmother's secret brass-lined room, and begins freezing the city. Realizing Garraka will free the ghosts in the containment unit after freeing ones at the center, the Ghostbusters gather to defend their headquarters. They are aided by Nadeem, who dons the Firemaster brass armor kept by his grandmother and attempts to master his powers.

Garraka overpowers them and breaches the containment unit. Phoebe electroplates Egon Spengler's proton pack with brass to strengthen it; Melody atones her misdeeds by helping Nadeem utilize his powers to weaken Garraka. Ray, with help from his fellow veteran Ghostbusters (including Janine Melnitz), captures Garraka by turning the ruptured containment unit into a giant ghost trap. A passage is opened for Melody, and she reconciles with Phoebe before departing for the afterlife to reunite with her family. As the city thaws, the Ghostbusters are hailed as heroes again, with Peck forced to support the team and reinstate Phoebe. The Ghostbusters begin pursuing escaped ghosts, including the Sewer Dragon and Slimer across New York City.

In a mid-credits scene, a trucker gets out of his Stay Puft Marshmallows branded truck to make a purchase from a vending machine. The Mini-Pufts steal the semi in his absence.

{{main|List of Ghostbusters characters}}

{{Cast listing|

• Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson
• Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler
• Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler
• Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler
• Kumail Nanjiani as Nadeem Razmaadi
• Patton Oswalt as Dr. Hubert Wartzki{{cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=2024-01-15 |title=James Acaster Plays An 'Egon Spengler Type' Inventor In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – Exclusive Image |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/ghosbusters-frozen-empire-james-acaster-egon-spengler-type-exclusive/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Empire Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123143619/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/ghosbusters-frozen-empire-james-acaster-egon-spengler-type-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}
• Celeste O'Connor as Lucky Domingo
• Logan Kim as Podcast{{Cite web |last= |first= |title='Ghostbusters' Sequel Confirmed To Return Franchise To New York City – Sony CinemaCon Presentation |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-sony-cinemacon-1235335808/ |date=2023-04-24 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503225053/https://deadline.com/2023/04/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-sony-cinemacon-1235335808/amp/ |url-status=live}}
• Emily Alyn Lind as Melody
• James Acaster as Dr. Lars Pinfield
• Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman{{Cite web |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Jason |date=2023-06-14 |title=Dan Aykroyd confirms Bill Murray is back for the upcoming Ghostbusters sequel, calls the story 'heartfelt' |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/14/dan-aykroyd-confirms-bill-murray-is-back-for-the-upcoming-ghostbusters-sequel-calls-the-story-heartfelt/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=Ghostbusters News |language=en-US |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614213656/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/14/dan-aykroyd-confirms-bill-murray-is-back-for-the-upcoming-ghostbusters-sequel-calls-the-story-heartfelt/ |url-status=live}}
• Dan Aykroyd as Dr. Raymond "Ray" Stantz{{Cite web |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Jason |date=2023-06-02 |title=Dan Aykroyd says next Ghostbusters will include "good scares and great comedy," talks handing the franchise off to a new generation |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/02/dan-aykroyd-says-the-next-ghostbusters-will-include-good-scares-and-great-comedy-talks-handing-the-franchise-off-to-a-new-generation/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Ghostbusters News |language=en-US |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604025521/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/02/dan-aykroyd-says-the-next-ghostbusters-will-include-good-scares-and-great-comedy-talks-handing-the-franchise-off-to-a-new-generation/ |url-status=live}}
• Ernie Hudson as Dr. Winston Zeddemore{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2023-03-20 |title='Firehouse' – Filming on the Next 'Ghostbusters' Movie Kicked Off Today |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3755253/firehouse-filming-on-the-next-ghostbusters-movie-kicked-off-today/ |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320201019/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3755253/firehouse-filming-on-the-next-ghostbusters-movie-kicked-off-today/ |url-status=live}}
• Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz{{Cite web |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Jason |date=2023-06-08 |title=Watch Ghostbusters sequel cast wish fans a "Happy Ghostbusters Day" |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/08/watch-ghostbusters-sequel-cast-wish-fans-a-happy-ghostbusters-day/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Ghostbusters News |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608155423/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/08/watch-ghostbusters-sequel-cast-wish-fans-a-happy-ghostbusters-day/ |url-status=live}}
• William Atherton as Mayor Walter Peck{{cite tweet |title=FIREHOUSE pix have dropped! Peck is BACK! Grooberson obviously wearing a flight suit!|user=MI_Ghostbusers| number=1649382017509867521 |access-date=21 April 2023 |date=21 April 2023}}}}

Additionally, Kevin Mangold and Ian Whyte serve as the puppeteers for Slimer and Garraka, respectively, though the latter's voice performers were uncredited. Shelby Young and Ryan Bartley also appear uncredited as the voices of the Mini-Pufts, tiny versions and replicated forms of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, with Young returning from Afterlife.{{cite tweet |number=1771208090060484924 |title=WHO YA GONNA CALL?! ☎️ The Mini-Pufts are back! I'm overjoyed to get to be a part of bringing these little chaos marshmallows to life again in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire!!! 🧊👻 |last=Young |first=Shelby |user=shelby_young |date=March 23, 2024 |access-date=March 24, 2024}} John Rothman cameos as New York Public Library administrator Roger Delacorte, reprising his role from the first film.{{Cite web| last=Mendoza |first=Norman |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cameo Subtly Brings Back OG Character After 40-Year Franchise Hiatus |url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-john-rothman-library-cameo-return/|access-date=August 13, 2024|website=Screen Rant}}

Following the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife in November 2021, Dan Aykroyd expressed interest in having the surviving cast of the original Ghostbusters team reprise their roles in up to three sequels.{{Cite web |last=Fidducia |first=Christopher |date=18 December 2021 |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/ |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=Screen Rant |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 }} In April 2022, it was announced that a sequel to Afterlife was in early development at Sony Pictures.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=2022-04-26 |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=2022-04-26 |website=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=2022-04-26 |title=Sony Calling Up Another 'Ghostbusters' Movie — CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/ghostbusters-5-new-movie-1235009684/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |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 }}

In June 2022, the film was confirmed by director Jason Reitman under the working title Firehouse.{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=2022-06-09 |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Director Announces a Sequel, Another 'Spengler Family' Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-spengler-family-firehouse |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=IGN |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316201143/https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-spengler-family-firehouse |url-status=live }} That same month, it was announced that the sequel would take place in New York City.{{Cite magazine |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=June 8, 2022 |title='Ghostbusters' Animated Film in Development; 'Afterlife' Sequel Set in New York City |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ghostbusters-animated-film-afterlife-sequel-new-york-city-1235288974/ |magazine=Variety |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 }} On October 5, 2022, Mckenna Grace announced that she would reprise her role.{{Cite web |last=Dela Paz |first=Maggie |date=October 5, 2022 |title=Mckenna Grace Confirms Return in Ghostbusters: Afterlife Sequel |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1242171-mckenna-grace-confirms-return-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel |website=ComingSoon.net |access-date=October 5, 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 }} The following month, Ernie Hudson revealed he had read a script for the film.{{Cite web |last=Hermanns |first=Grant |date=2022-11-05 |title=Ghostbusters 4 Gets Promising Script Update From Ernie Hudson |url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-4-script-update-ernie-hudson/ |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228001937/https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-4-script-update-ernie-hudson/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2022, it was announced that Gil Kenan would take over as director from Reitman, who remained as a writer and producer. It was also announced that Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard and Carrie Coon would return.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=December 5, 2022 |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel Taps Gil Kenan To Direct With Previous Cast Returning |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-gil-kenan-1235190148/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=December 5, 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 }} In March 2023, it was announced that Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, James Acaster and Emily Alyn Lind had been cast in the film.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2023-03-24 |title=Kumail Nanjiani And Patton Oswalt Among Newest Additions To Cast Of 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/kumail-nanjiani-patton-oswalt-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-1235308852/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512094146/https://deadline.com/2023/03/kumail-nanjiani-patton-oswalt-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-1235308852/ |url-status=live }} Lind's role was established in secrecy during pre-production. She met Reitman, Kenan, and casting director John Papsidera, and was not aware that she had the role until shortly before filming.{{Cite web |last=Davids |first=Brian |date=April 5, 2024 |title='Ghostbusters' Star Emily Alyn Lind Explains Why Her 'Frozen Empire' Character Was Kept Secret |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ghostbusters-emily-alyn-lind-frozen-empire-twist-1235867633/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405215353/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ghostbusters-emily-alyn-lind-frozen-empire-twist-1235867633/ |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |access-date=April 6, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

According to Nanjiani, the filmmakers drew inspiration from the animated series The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1991), noting they "wanted to make a long episode of the animated series".{{Cite tweet |author=Kumail Nanjiani |user=kumailn |title=Also I am a huge fan of The Real Ghostbusters (the animated series) and that show was a point of reference for this movie. The filmmakers wanted to make a long episode of the animated series. So if you love that show as I do, be excited. |number=1722639314340003990 |date=2023-11-09 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}

Principal photography began on March 20, 2023, in London{{Cite web |date=2023-05-03 |title=What's On Screen and Filming in London? - May 2023 |url=https://filmlondon.org.uk/latest/whats-filming-in-london-may-2023 |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=Film London |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608052917/https://filmlondon.org.uk/latest/whats-filming-in-london-may-2023 |url-status=live }} and Shinfield Studios,{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is released|url=https://shinfieldstudios.com/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-is-released/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Shinfield Studios |language=en-US |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073648/https://shinfieldstudios.com/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-is-released/ |url-status=live }} under the working title Firehouse, with Eric Steelberg serving as the cinematographer.{{Cite tweet |author=Sony Pictures |user=SonyPictures |number=1637858617369178112 |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Back in the Firehouse. Day one! #Ghostbusters |access-date=March 20, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320170722/https://twitter.com/SonyPictures/status/1637858617369178112 |archive-date=March 20, 2023}} On April 25, 2023, Hudson indicated that Aykroyd, Murray and Potts would reprise their roles from previous Ghostbusters movies in the film;{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Ernie Hudson seemingly confirms original Ghostbusters cast will return in the upcoming sequel |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/04/25/ernie-hudson-seemingly-confirms-original-ghostbusters-cast-will-return-in-the-upcoming-sequel/?fbclid=IwAR2IRYxJMSSk8j4pOk85OQ5ifGUstk8f48qAg5-XCL9mQX2FgQ-CuumVkGg |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Ghostbustersnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425203750/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/04/25/ernie-hudson-seemingly-confirms-original-ghostbusters-cast-will-return-in-the-upcoming-sequel/?fbclid=IwAR2IRYxJMSSk8j4pOk85OQ5ifGUstk8f48qAg5-XCL9mQX2FgQ-CuumVkGg |url-status=live }} Aykroyd confirmed he would return for the sequel in June 2023.{{Citation |title=Toby Hosts, Dan Aykroyd, Jack Whitehall and Tim Key #394 |date=2023-06-02 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/30bwcy8WnJWQ1ejTzAX4GY |access-date=2023-11-10 |language=en |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110223915/https://open.spotify.com/episode/30bwcy8WnJWQ1ejTzAX4GY |url-status=live }}

Filming was spotted in New York City, where Casey Neistat was caught filming a stunt scene in a video posted on June 7, 2023, while documenting the effects of the 2023 Canadian wildfires in New York City.{{cite AV media |title=NYC; The Worst Air Quality on the Planet |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xaHwBsRUw |access-date=2023-11-10 |time=1:08 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124042527/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xaHwBsRUw |url-status=live }} Filming wrapped on June 23.{{Cite web|title=Filming wraps on the upcoming Ghostbusters sequel|url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/23/filming-wraps-on-the-upcoming-ghostbusters-sequel/|access-date=June 23, 2023|website=Ghostbustersnews.com|date=June 23, 2023|archive-date=June 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623200314/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2023/06/23/filming-wraps-on-the-upcoming-ghostbusters-sequel/|url-status=live}}

{{Further|Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (soundtrack)}}

On January 18, 2024, Dario Marianelli was confirmed to compose the film's score, replacing Afterlife composer Rob Simonsen. This marked Marianelli's second collaboration with Kenan after A Boy Called Christmas (2021). He recorded his score on the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage in the John Williams Music Building on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City.{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2024 |title=Dario Marianelli Scoring Gil Kenan's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/01/18/dario-marianelli-scoring-gil-kenans-ghostbusters-frozen-empire/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Film Music Reporter |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123005606/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/01/18/dario-marianelli-scoring-gil-kenans-ghostbusters-frozen-empire/ |url-status=live }} The original film's composer Elmer Bernstein's son, Peter Bernstein, returned as score consultant, after doing so for Afterlife.{{Cite web |title=Credits - Peter Bernstein|url=https://petermbernstein.com/credits/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240121170112/https://petermbernstein.com/credits/ |archive-date= January 21, 2024 |url-status=live}} In addition to using some of the elder Bernstein's original scores on some of the film's scenes, the song "Ghostbusters", which was performed by Ray Parker Jr., is heard during the film's end credits. Other songs "Home on the Range", arranged by Kenan and Reitman, "Melano" by Caino x Jun R.O.T., and "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia are used in the film.

On March 7, 2024, Japanese girl group Atarashii Gakko! released a track called "Ghostbusters: Frozen Summer" as a collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan.{{cite web |last1=Fitzsimmons |first1=Jason |title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire receives an official music video from Japanese girl group TARASHII GAKKO! |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2024/03/07/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-receives-an-official-music-video-from-japanese-girl-group-tarashii-gakko/ |website=Ghostbusters News |date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308004701/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2024/03/07/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-receives-an-official-music-video-from-japanese-girl-group-tarashii-gakko/ |url-status=live }}

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was scheduled to be released on December 20, 2023,{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=2022-06-28 |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel to Hit Theaters in December 2023 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-release-date-2023-1235173037/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715003924/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-release-date-2023-1235173037/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2022-06-28 |title=Sony Dates 'Ghostbusters' Sequel For 2023 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/ghostbusters-sequel-theatrical-release-date-2023-1235053366/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425124046/https://deadline.com/2022/06/ghostbusters-sequel-theatrical-release-date-2023-1235053366/ |url-status=live}} but was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and rescheduled for March 29, 2024 (taking over the original release date of Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse).{{Cite web|url=https://thewrap.com/ghosbusters-afterlife-sequel-release-date-easter-2024/|title=Sony Pushes 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel to Easter 2024|website=TheWrap|first=Kristen|last=Lopez|date=July 28, 2023|access-date=July 28, 2023|archive-date=July 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728215826/https://thewrap.com/ghosbusters-afterlife-sequel-release-date-easter-2024/|url-status=live}} The film had its world premiere in New York City on March 14, 2024,{{Cite web |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Jason |title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's world premiere set for New York City |url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2024/02/16/ghostbusters-frozen-empires-world-premiere-set-for-new-york-city/ |website=Ghostbusters News |date=2024-02-16 |access-date=2024-02-16 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217044124/https://ghostbustersnews.com/2024/02/16/ghostbusters-frozen-empires-world-premiere-set-for-new-york-city/ |url-status=live }} and was released by Sony Pictures Releasing on March 22, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-release-date-1235700558/|title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's Release Date Pushed Forward By Sony|last=Grobar|first=Matt|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 9, 2024|access-date=January 9, 2024|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 April 2021, Sony signed deals with Netflix and Disney for the rights to their 2022 to 2026 film slate, following the film's theatrical and home media windows. Netflix signed for exclusive "pay 1 window" streaming rights, which is typically an 18-month window, and included Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and past Ghostbusters films. Disney signed for "pay 2 windows" rights for the films, which would be streamed on Disney+ and/or Hulu as well as broadcast on Disney's linear television networks.{{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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421230835/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-nabs-post-pay-1-rights-for-sonys-feature-films |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was released digitally on May 7, 2024,{{cite web |last1=Squires |first1=John |title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Heads Home to Digital Next Week |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3810650/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-heads-home-to-digital-next-week/ |website=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=5 May 2024 |date=2 May 2024}} and on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on June 25, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Swann |first1=Erik |title='I Feel Very Gratefu': Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's Emily Alyn Lind Opens Up About The Filming Day She'll Always Cherish |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-emily-alyn-lind-on-filming-day-shell-always-cherish |website=Cinema Blend |quote=The film is also set to be released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on June 25. |access-date=18 May 2024 |date=19 May 2024}}

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire grossed $113.4 million in the United States and Canada and $88.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $202 million.

In the United States and Canada, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was released alongside Immaculate and Late Night with the Devil, and was projected to gross $43–45 million from 4,345 theaters in its opening weekend. The film made $16 million on its first day, including $4.7 million from Thursday night previews, slightly topping Afterlife{{'}}s $4.5 million. It went on to debut at $45 million, landing between the opening weekends of Ghostbusters ($46 million in 2016) and Afterlife ($44 million in 2021), topping the box office, and pushing the Ghostbusters franchise past the $1 billion mark. Deadline Hollywood credited Sony's marketing efforts for boosting the opening weekend, but suggested that the franchise would perform better if it returned to the original movie's focus on "wall-to-wall humor" and "big comedy stars."{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 24, 2024 |title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Propels Franchise Past $1B As Sequel Opens To $45M+ – Sunday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/box-office-ghostbusters-frozen-empire-1235865730/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324171325/https://deadline.com/2024/03/box-office-ghostbusters-frozen-empire-1235865730/ |url-status=live }} In its second weekend the film made $15.7 million (a drop of 65%), finishing second behind newcomer Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=They Have Risen: 'Godzilla x Kong' Conquers Easter Box Office With $80M Opening; Legendary Monster verse Franchise Crosses $2 Billion – Sunday AM Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/box-office-godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-1235871440/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 31, 2024 |date=March 31, 2024 |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330023616/https://deadline.com/2024/03/box-office-godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-1235871440/ |url-status=live }} Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire finished in third place during its third weekend with $9 million (a drop of 42%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W14/?ref_=bo_wey_table_7|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 14|website=Box Office Mojo}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|42|5.2|302|Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire offers a certain amount of nostalgia-fueled fun for fans of the original, but a crowded cast and surprisingly serious tone prevent this sequel from truly sparking.|ref=yes|access-date=September 29, 2024}} It is the lowest-rated installment in the franchise on the site.{{cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/ghostbusters-movies-ranked/|title=Ghostbusters Movies Ranked by Tomatometer|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=April 2, 2024|archive-date=March 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323025209/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/ghostbusters-movies-ranked/|url-status=live}} {{Metacritic film prose|46|50|ref=yes|access-date=April 22, 2024}} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an 80% overall positive score, with 64% saying they would recommend the film.

Jake Wilson of The Age gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars, writing: "Aykroyd and Grace are the soul of the thing, to whatever degree a soul exists. At this point, Aykroyd has shed any pretense of ironic distance, emerging as the mournful weirdo he surely always was."{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jake |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Spirits old and new haunt overstuffed Ghostbusters reboot |url=https://www.theage.com.au/culture/movies/spirits-old-and-new-haunt-overstuffed-ghostbusters-reboot-20240321-p5fe6i.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Age |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321061513/https://www.theage.com.au/culture/movies/spirits-old-and-new-haunt-overstuffed-ghostbusters-reboot-20240321-p5fe6i.html |url-status=live }} CNN's Brian Lowry called it "a very busy movie that lacks the emotional hook of its predecessor while spending too much time on the wrong characters in a way that yields a rather lifeless, chilly affair."{{Cite news |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=March 21, 2024 |title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' sleepwalks through the old neighborhood in a warmed-over sequel |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/21/entertainment/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-review/index.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327030244/https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/21/entertainment/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-review/index.html |url-status=live }}

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three out of four stars, writing that it "carries the same endearingly goofy, science-nerd spirit of the first film and delivers a delightful balance of slimy ghost stuff, sharp one-liners, terrific VFX and a steady stream of callbacks to various characters, human and otherwise, from the 1984 movie."{{cite news |last1=Roeper |first1=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |title=Delightful 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' gets the franchise back on track |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2024/03/20/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-review-sequel-paul-rudd-bill-murray-carrie-coon |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324170921/https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2024/03/20/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-review-sequel-paul-rudd-bill-murray-carrie-coon |url-status=live }} Jake Coyle of the Associated Press gave it 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying that it was "A significant upgrade from Afterlife" and "a breezier, more serviceable sequel that has a modest charm as an '80-tinged family adventure."{{Cite news |last=Coyle |first=Jake |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Movie Review: 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' clears a low bar |url=https://apnews.com/article/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-movie-review-aa6c8838b25234e86ef3ba56cec58d51 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326041922/https://apnews.com/article/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-movie-review-aa6c8838b25234e86ef3ba56cec58d51 |url-status=live }}

{{Table alignment}}

In February 2024, Kenan revealed that ideas for multiple future films in the Ghostbusters franchise had been discussed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ghostbusters-future-frozen-empire-exclusive/|title=Ghostbusters 4 cast and director already have ideas for more sequels: "We know what the next stories are going to be"|website=GamesRadar+|first1=Adam|last1=Tanswell|first2=Emily|last2=Murray|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228215236/https://www.gamesradar.com/ghostbusters-future-frozen-empire-exclusive/|archive-date=February 28, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-sequel-ideas-cast-crew-franchise-future/|title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cast and Crew Already Have More Sequel Plans in Mind|website=ComicBook|first=Charlie|last=Ridgely|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228215242/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-sequel-ideas-cast-crew-franchise-future/#1|archive-date=February 28, 2024}} Kenan specifically mentioned the Mini-Pufts storyline as something he and Reitman would like to expand upon. The Mini-Pufts are featured in the film's post-credits scene.{{cite magazine|first=Emlyn|last=Travis|title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director says Mini-Pufts have 'way more story to tell' after post-credits scene|date=March 22, 2024|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-ending-explainer-mini-puft-post-credits-scene-8610860}}

In October 2024, Kenan confirmed that a sequel to Frozen Empire was in the works.{{cite web |last=Milheim |first=Russ|title= Ghostbusters Director Confirms Future Movies Are In the Works (Exclusive) |url=https://thedirect.com/article/ghostbusters-future-movies-exclusive |website=The Direct|date=October 10, 2024|access-date=October 10, 2024}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb title}}

{{Ghostbusters}}

{{Gil Kenan}}

{{Jason Reitman}}

{{Ivan Reitman}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2024 comedy films

Category:2024 fantasy films

Category:2020s fantasy comedy films

Category:2024 films

Category:2020s American films

Category:2020s English-language films

Category:2020s monster movies

Category:2020s ghost films

Category:2020s superhero comedy films

Category:2020s teen comedy films

Category:2020s coming-of-age comedy films

Category:2020s chase films

Category:American coming-of-age comedy films

Category:American chase films

Category:American sequel films

Category:Bron Studios films

Category:Climate change films

Category:Columbia Pictures films

Category:Films about astral projection

Category:Films about families

Category:Films about friendship

Category:Films about mass murder

Category:Films about mind control

Category:Films about near-death experiences

Category:Films affected by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike

Category:Films directed by Gil Kenan

Category:Films produced by Jason Reitman

Category:Films produced by Ivan Reitman

Category:Films set in 1904

Category:Films set in 2024

Category:Films set in New York City

Category:Films shot in Berkshire

Category:Films shot in London

Category:Films shot in New York City

Category:Films scored by Dario Marianelli

Category:Films with screenplays by Gil Kenan

Category:Films with screenplays by Jason Reitman

Category:Ghostbusters films

Category:IMAX films

Category:4DX films

Category:English-language science fiction horror films

Category:English-language action comedy films

Category:English-language action thriller films

Category:English-language fantasy comedy films