As a lifelong Ghostbusters devotee, passing down the proton pack passion to my own kids has been a joy. From Slimer plushies to Ecto-1 replicas and nostalgic sips of Ecto Cooler, Ghostbusters is a family affair in our home. Movie marathons, including the classics from the 80s and even the 2016 reboot (which, surprisingly, they loved!), are practically a tradition.
My sons have always been captivated by the Ghostbusters universe, especially the mischievous Slimer. One Halloween, we even went full Ghostbusters family, with my youngest proudly embodying the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
However, when it comes to the latest installment, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, hitting theaters on March 22nd, my parental instincts are kicking in, telling me to hold off on taking them just yet. It’s not that I’m not excited; it’s about ensuring it’s the right time.
Recently, we introduced them to Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This reboot felt like the perfect bridge, blending the beloved nostalgia with a fresh, young cast. The emotional tribute to Harold Ramis’ Egon Spengler, combined with new characters and the return of the originals, created a captivating experience. And let’s be honest, Paul Rudd as Mr. Grooberson is always a win.
Despite some of the darker themes in Afterlife, we felt comfortable sharing it with our then 9 and 5-year-old boys. Yet, bedtime that night brought a flicker of fear in my youngest. Zuul, the red-eyed, dog-like demon minion of Gozer, had left a spooky impression. While I appreciated the throwback to the original Ghostbusters, my 5-year-old wasn’t quite ready for that level of nostalgia-induced terror.
After a crash course in CGI and movie magic, the fear subsided, and Afterlife became a repeat viewing. They loved the humor, the kid protagonists battling ghosts, and Muncher, Slimer’s metal-munching cousin.
Now, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire arrives with high expectations. We’re all eager for more nostalgia, laughs, and those family-centric themes that made the original movies so iconic.
The sequel finds Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), now 15, and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), 18, and their family settled in the legendary New York City firehouse, the original Ghostbusters headquarters. They are officially in the ghost-busting business, equipped with upgraded gadgets and proton packs, tackling spectral shenanigans across the city.
Everything seems to be under control until Phoebe faces suspension from active duty due to her age, and the ghost containment unit – holding ghostly prisoners since the 80s – starts to fail. A powerful new threat emerges, forcing the new and original Ghostbusters teams to unite.
But early screenings and reviews hint at scenes that might be pushing the boundaries for younger viewers.
Decoding the PG-13 Rating of ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ for Parents
While Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is undoubtedly geared towards tweens and teens aged 13 and up, parents of younger children need to understand why this movie earned its PG-13 rating. It’s not just a casual suggestion; the rating is primarily due to elements that might be unsuitable for sensitive or younger kids: mild language, sexual innuendos, and, most notably, genuine scares that go beyond typical kid-friendly spooky fare.
Navigating the Sexual Innuendos
One scene, in particular, has raised eyebrows, featuring a reference to a “sex dungeon” and sexual innuendos involving “S&M” and a character’s grandmother. While intended as humor for adults, these jokes could easily prompt uncomfortable questions from younger children, leading to conversations parents might not be ready to have.
Even with teenagers, this type of humor can feel awkward or misplaced. During a press screening, these moments definitely stood out to my husband and me, even knowing our younger children might not fully grasp the adult implications. It’s a layer of humor parents should be prepared for.
Understanding the Mild Language
The film incorporates some stronger language, used by both adult and teenage characters, primarily for comedic effect or during moments of heightened tension. While not excessively profane, words beyond typical kid-friendly movie dialogue do appear. As one might expect, facing down a ghost might elicit more than just polite exclamations.
While my own children might have heard worse from me (especially during rush hour!), we’ve had ongoing discussions about appropriate language and context. Parents should be aware that the film does contain language that, while mild in the PG-13 spectrum, might still be something they want to consider for their younger children.
Gauging the Scare Factor: More Than Just Goofy Ghosts
The scare factor in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a significant reason for parental caution. Bill Murray himself, the iconic Dr. Peter Venkman, has highlighted the genuinely frightening nature of the ghosts in this installment. “They make this stuff look scarier and scarier all the time,” he noted in early interviews.
Annie Potts, reprising her role as Janine Melnitz, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The technology has changed so much and these things are fabulously realistic.”
Initially, I wondered if this was just promotional hype, but having seen the film, I can confirm they weren’t exaggerating.
The primary antagonist, Garraka, is a formidable and terrifying presence. Depicted as a demonic, god-like entity with a desire to unleash an undead dominion, Garraka is capable of inducing a “Death Chill,” freezing victims solid upon contact.
Describing Garraka is one thing, but seeing him on screen is another level of chilling. With glowing blue eyes, a skeletal frame, fanged face, ram-like horns, and menacing black claws, he is genuinely nightmare-inducing for younger viewers. Adults might appreciate the visual spectacle, but for a 5-year-old, Garraka is the stuff of true scares.
Adding to the fright factor is Garraka’s voice and the film’s overall sound design. Children with sensory sensitivities might find the loud noises and suspenseful score overwhelming.
Beyond Garraka, the movie introduces other new spectral entities, some with comedic elements, like barfing ghosts adding to the jump scares. However, several of the animated ghosts are designed to be genuinely creepy and menacing, on par with Garraka’s terrifying aesthetic.
Why ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Might Be a Wait for Younger Kids
Ghostbusters has always excelled at balancing humor with horror, creating a fun, albeit spooky, experience, particularly accessible to teens. However, this nuanced balance might be lost on younger children, especially preschoolers, who may not fully grasp the comedic timing amidst the genuinely sinister on-screen ghouls.
The film also explores deeper themes, particularly the importance of family, both chosen and biological, which adds a poignant layer to the story. While I appreciated this thematic depth, it’s a subtle element that might not fully register with younger viewers amidst the more overt scares and ghostly action.
Having pre-screened Frozen Empire, and knowing the intensity of some scenes, I’m still hesitant to bring my young sons to see it in theaters just yet. Even with a parental heads-up about the scary moments, I’m not convinced it would prevent potential sleepless nights – for them, and consequently, for me!
While I thoroughly enjoyed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and the nostalgic return of beloved characters, my parental instinct tells me to exercise caution with my youngest children. My reluctance is rooted in the fear that their reaction might mirror Egon’s iconic, “terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought,” response to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Should you see Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire? Absolutely. It’s a fun, nostalgic ride that delivers on the Ghostbusters legacy. But for parents of children under 10, it might be wise to consider leaving the little ones at home with a babysitter for this particular ghost hunt.
