The long-running Ghostbusters franchise is preparing for another wave of paranormal adventures, following the success of the legacy sequel Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and this year's fourth official entry, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024).
While the latter sequel received mixed reactions from critics and audiences, it still managed to bring in $201.9 million globally. So it's no surprise that more Ghostbusters stories are now in the works, both on the big screen and through new small-screen animated ventures.
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Director Gil Kenan, who co-wrote both Afterlife and Frozen Empire with Jason Reitman (who directed the 2021 sequel), has confirmed that the series isn't over. In a recent interview with The Direct, Kenan expressed the team's commitment to continuing the franchise. “The answer is yes,” he said when asked about future films. “We take the responsibility and the joy of being the keepers of the flame of Ghostbusters very seriously. We definitely are continuing the conversation of telling big Ghostbusters stories on the big screen.”
Beyond the big screen, Kenan also revealed some exciting news about the upcoming 3D-animated series that's currently in development with Netflix. The project promises to be a fresh take on the Ghostbusters universe, exploring untapped eras and new generations of Ghostbuster characters. “We are really excited about the stories that are starting to be told there,” Kenan said. He further hinted that the series would tie into the broader Ghostbusters canon in unexpected ways, thrilling fans with its blend of old and new.
Although plot specifics remain under wraps, Kenan has previously described the series as “the next generation of Ghostbusters animated television” that will take viewers to an “unexplored era and decade” in the Ghostbusters timeline. This suggests a bold new direction for the franchise, moving beyond the familiar territory of the original films.
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Despite its financial success, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was met with mixed reviews, as it failed to capture the same level of enthusiasm as its 2021 predecessor. However, the film brought back many fan-favorite characters, including Bill Murray's Peter Venkman and Ernie Hudson's Winston Zeddemore, alongside newer additions like Carrie Coon's Callie Spengler and McKenna Grace's Phoebe Spengler.
Related: ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Confirms Non-Canon Installment Is Now Part of the Series
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Check out the trailer for Frozen Empire below, per Sony Pictures:
Frozen Empire stars Carrie Coon (Callie Spengler), Paul Rudd (Gary Grooberson), McKenna Grace (Phoebe Spengler), Finn Wolfhard (Trevor Spengler), Celeste O'Connor (Lucky Domingo), Logan Kim (Podcast), Dan Aykroyd (Ray Stantz), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz), William Atherton (Walter Peck), Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore), Bill Murray (Peter Venkman), James Acaster (Lars Pinfield), Patton Oswalt (Dr. Hubert Wartzki), Kumail Nanjiani (Nadeem Razmaadi), and Emily Alyn Lind (Melody).
Would you like to see another Ghostbusters movie after Frozen Empire? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
