Movie · 2024 · Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy · 1h 55m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 0.8/10 (376.6K ratings)
It'll send a chill down your spine.
Overview
The Spengler family returns to where it all started - the iconic New York City firehouse - to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who've developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
Ratings
Curator score: 0.8/10
IMDb: 6.1/10
Letterboxd: 2.58/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
Metacritic: 46
TMDB: 6.5/10
Director
Gil Kenan
Production
Ghost Corps, Columbia Pictures
Cast
Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Dan Aykroyd, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O'Connor, Logan Kim, Emily Alyn Lind, James Acaster, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Shelley Williams, Chris Tummings, John Rothman, Stephen Whitfield, Samuel Greco
Where to watch
fuboTV
Curator Review
Verdict
A noisy, fan-service-heavy sequel that has flashes of the old Ghostbusters charm but is weighed down by overcrowding and franchise fatigue. It’s best treated as a light, effects-driven hangout for existing fans rather than a must-see revival.
Best for
Viewers who want a nostalgic blockbuster with familiar faces
Fans of supernatural comedy and PG-13 spectacle
Audiences who enjoyed the newer Ghostbusters setup and want more lore
People in the mood for a breezy, imperfect crowd-pleaser
Skip if
You want sharp, tightly written comedy
You’re tired of legacy sequels and franchise callbacks
You prefer horror-comedy with a stronger edge
You need a story that feels fresh rather than assembled from fan service
Overview
Frozen Empire has the ingredients of a fun summer ghost romp: New York City, the firehouse, old-school gadgetry, and a cast that clearly enjoys playing in this sandbox. When it leans into the absurdity of paranormal bureaucracy and Dan Aykroyd’s delighted nonsense, it can still feel like Ghostbusters in spirit.
Worth noting
But the movie keeps tripping over its own ambition. It stuffs in too many characters, too many subplots, and too much mythology, which blunts the momentum and makes the emotional beats feel crowded rather than earned. The result is a sequel that often seems more interested in managing a franchise than telling a clean, funny story.
Bottom line
There’s enough charm here for completionists and younger viewers who like their adventure-comedy with a spooky sheen. Still, this is a case where the nostalgia works better as atmosphere than as a reason to recommend the film outright.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Sean Fennessey (2★) · 4750 likes
This film has 718 characters.
Rendy Jones (1.5★) · 4545 likes
Phoebe Spengler, I know what you are!
Mia (3★) · 3940 likes
Imagine opening a portal to another dimension for some ghost pussy
Alina Leffel (3.5★) · 2588 likes
save me gay pheobe spengler and her ghost girlfriend save me
Joe A (2★) · 2164 likes
It’s seemed obvious from Afterlife they wanted to give McKenna Grace the keys to the castle, as they should, but instead of moving forward, Frozen Empire takes 2 giant steps back— shoves 20 characters in your face and practically begs you to remember the good ol’ days to distract you from the fact that this franchise is out of gas.
2022 · Action, Adventure, Comedy · 1h 52m · PG-13 · Curator 1.5/10 (530.1K ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Netflix Standard with Ads
A modern studio comedy-adventure that understands the value of chemistry over complexity.
2021 · Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure · 2h 7m · PG-13 · Curator 1.3/10 (516K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus, fuboTV, Freeform
A glossy adventure-comedy with old-fashioned studio polish and a knowingly corny tone.
Topics
supernatural comedy, legacy sequel, family adventure, ghosts, nostalgia, ensemble cast, PG-13 spectacle, New York City, apocalyptic threat, franchise fatigue