‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Is Rated PG-13—Is It OK for Younger Kids?

The sequel of the reboot brings a fun mix of nostalgia and new ghosts, but may be too intense to bring my kindergartener.

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

As a devoted Ghostbusters enthusiast, my journey with the iconic franchise began long ago, surrounded by stuffed animals of the character Slimer, Ecto-1 toys, and sipping on Hi-C's "Ecto Cooler." Introducing my own two boys to the ghost-busting world has become an almost tradition, complete with movie marathons featuring the classic 1980s films and even the 2016 all-female reboot, which they both loved.

Since my boys were younger, they've had an undeniable fascination with Slimer and the Ghostbusters. We even themed our Halloween costumes around it one year, with my youngest fully embracing the role of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

But I won’t be taking them to see the latest, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, in theaters Friday, March 22, just yet. They need a few more years before it will be appropriate. Hear me out.

A few weeks ago, my family and I gathered to watch Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a reboot in the beloved franchise, now available for streaming. With its fresh, younger cast and nods to the original films, the movie promised an exciting blend of nostalgia and innovation. It emotionally honored the legacy of Harold Ramis' Egon Spengler, while introducing new elements and characters, pairing them with original cast members to captivate audiences. Plus, Paul Rudd, who plays Mr. Grooberson, is a gem.

Despite the movie’s darker moments, my husband and I didn't hesitate to share the experience with our 9- and 5-year-old boys. However, my youngest expressed a momentary bout of fear while attempting to go to bed, about the film's main antagonist, Zuul—the creepy, dog-like demon with red-eyes who is a minion of the evil Gozer. It was a fun throwback to the original Ghostbusters film, but he wasn’t as appreciative of the nostalgia as I was.

After doing my best to explain the world of CGI and animation to a 5-year-old, he’s no longer scared and has watched the film several times since.

My boys really enjoyed the movie, the humor, and the fact that they were watching kids who are almost their own age, bravely battling ghosts. They were particularly fond of Muncher, Slimer’s seemingly distant cousin, who entertained them with his penchant for chomping on and spitting out metal parts.

Now with the sequel, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the anticipation is high for another dose of nostalgia, comedy, and family-centric themes that made the original films so beloved.

The sequel picks up with now 15-year-old Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and 18-year-old Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and their family living in the famous firehouse in New York City that was once home to the original Ghostbusters. They’re officially part of the “busting business,” chasing ghouls all around the city with souped-up gadgets and proton packs.

All seems to go well until Phoebe gets kicked out of the business because she’s too young and the ghost containment unit that has kept all the ghosts in jail, if you will, since the 1980s is breaking down. There’s also a bigger force that gets unleashed bringing the new and original crew of Ghostbusters back together again.

But there are scenes that may be too much for a younger audience.

Why 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Is PG-13

While Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is undoubtedly suitable for tweens and teens aged 13 and up, parents of younger children, like mine, should be aware of its well-deserved PG-13 rating. This rating is primarily attributed to mild language, sexual innuendos, and notably, some genuinely frightening moments throughout the film.

Sexual innuendos

One particular scene features a mention of a “sex dungeon” and includes sexual innuendos involving “S&M” and a character’s grandmother. While it’s intended to elicit humor among adult viewers, young children may be tempted to ask for an interpretation, which may lead to uncomfortable conversations.

Additionally, parents watching with teens may also find the scene awkward. While younger children, like mine, may not fully grasp the implications, my husband and I definitely took notice of it during the press screening.

Mild language

There are some choice words used in the film, by both the adults and teens in some scenes, primarily for humor. While understandable given the circumstances—wouldn't you drop an s-bomb if you saw a ghost flying at your face?—the film generally tries to minimize bad language compared to other PG-13 movies.

Admittedly, my sons have heard far worse coming from my mouth, and we’ve had lengthy discussions on why they shouldn’t always repeat what they hear—whether it’s in a film, or while mommy is driving in traffic.

The scares

Here’s a major reason why I'm unsure my boys will be able to handle watching the film in a theater. In early press interviews promoting Frozen Empire, Bill Murray, who famously plays Dr. Peter Venkman in the franchise, mentioned how frightening the ghosts are in the latest film. “They make this stuff look scarier and scarier all the time,” he said.

Actress Annie Potts, who reprises her role as Janine Melnitz, agreed saying, “The technology has changed so much and these things are fabulously realistic.”

I thought maybe they were exaggerating to build anticipation for the film, but it turns out they were spot-on.

The film’s primary antagonist, Garraka, is depicted as a demonic, God-like entity with a desire to have the undead rule the world. Described as capable of inducing a "Death Chill," anyone in contact with the creature immediately freezes to death.

The mere description of this character is chilling, but seeing him eerily come to life on screen, with glowing blue eyes, a towering skeleton body, fanged face, ram-like horns, and menacing black claws, is truly terrifying. While adults, like me, may find him visually stunning, for a 5-year-old, he's the stuff of nightmares.

Along with the stunning graphics comes Garraka’s voice which adds another layer of fright. Children with sensory sensitivities may also find it challenging to endure the loud noises and suspenseful music in the film.

Aside from Garraka, there are a few other new critters, some of whom add more of a comedic twist to the iconic jump scares, of which there are plenty. (Think barfing ghosts.) But a few of the other animated ghosts are drawn equally as creepy and menacing as Garraka.

Why My Kids Won’t Watch ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Yet

Ghostbusters is known for brilliantly weaving comedic moments that cut into the tension of the horror moments, providing a balanced experience that is more accessible for teen audiences, and overall makes it really fun to watch. Some of that though, may go over the head of a kindergartner who may not be able to differentiate between the hilarious comedic timing of the actors and the sinister intentions of an on-screen demonic ghoul.

The film’s underlying focus on the theme of the importance of family—whether it’s chosen or biological—adds a poignant dimension to the story, which I loved. However, this theme might not fully resonate with younger viewers amidst the chilling (pun intended) scenes.

Having pre-screened the movie and being able to warn my sons about the scary moments, I’m unsure if it would change the outcome of potential sleepless nights for both of them and ultimately, me. As much as I really enjoyed watching Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and seeing the iconic characters brought back to life again, I am hesitant to  bring my sons to the theater to see it.

My reluctance stems from my own fear that they might react like Egon did when he first encountered the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man—"terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought."

Should you go see the movie? Absolutely—it’s a really fun and nostalgic ride. But you may want to consider leaving the under 10 kiddos at home with a babysitter.

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