Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
Fun update on classic centers on women (and lots of ghosts).
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Ghostbusters is a reboot of the classic 1984 supernatural action-comedy. This time around, it stars four talented female comedians—Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones—as the courageous central quartet who must team up to use their knowledge of science and the paranormal to save the city when New York again faces a supernatural invasion. While the film has some pretty scary spirit baddies and intense ghostly battles—as well as gross-out slime scenes—it's so over the top that it's likely to be more engrossing than chilling for most tweens and up. Language is infrequent but includes "s--t," "damn," "hell," and use of the middle finger. One character ogles an employee she finds attractive and makes comments about his hotness (but things never get too racy, and there's less romance/relationship content than in the original). There are also some fart jokes/a hit to the groin, and adults drink beer to relax. It's a lot like the original (watch for cameos from some of the original stars!), but also different in many ways, especially with its underlying theme of female empowerment.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Lots of cartoonish sci-fi violence/scares; ghosts threaten innocent bystanders, including a massive specter that terrorizes the city, knocking down buildings and throwing vehicles around like toys. Nobody seems to actually be harmed, though one favorite character is blasted out of a window and others dangle out the window. A possessed character's head turns a full 180 degrees. Some action takes place on subway tracks, and characters are nearly hit by a train. The main characters use special tools/weapons against their supernatural enemies. There's a hit to the groin.
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Language
some
Swearing includes multiple uses of "hell," "ass," "damn," and occasional use of "s--t," "God" as exclamation, "crap," and "butt." Three uses of the middle finger. Insults like "weirdo," "dumb," "idiot," and "freak show." Infrequent crude humor about "soiling one's pants," etc.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
Overt (though one-sided) flirting between one of the scientists and the group's receptionist includes ogling and objectifying comments about his appearance, played for humor.
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Products & Purchases
a little
Plenty of brand/product placement, including YouTube, Sony, Vaio, Papa John's, Coca-Cola, Swiss Army knife, and lots of NYC signage. The film is also part of a franchise, with lots of tie-in toys and merchandise available.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Adults relax with a few beers after a long day.
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Positive Messages
a lot
Science saves the day, along with courage, diligence, and teamwork. Ignore naysayers, believe in yourself, and support your teammates to take on powerful enemies.
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Positive Role Models
some
The Ghostbusters stride straight into danger when everyone else runs in the opposite direction. They're selfless, even though city officials (and plenty of online trolls) tried to minimize and downplay their accomplishments. Patty volunteers to help the group of strangers, even donating a car to the operation, even though her ghost encounter scared her. That said, the characters aren't perfect; while Abby and Erin are both ambitious and driven, they don't always behave ethically when pursuing their goals. Erin's comments about their receptionist, though used for humor, are also inappropriate.
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Diverse Representations
some
Led by four smart women who support one another: Patty is a Black woman who's brave and inventive, but she perpetuates some racial stereotypes (less educated, lower socioeconomic status). The other three team members are White women who defy gender stereotypes as funny female scientists. All four have healthy body types and aren't sexualized. The receptionist also subverts stereotypes as an attractive but unintelligent White man, objectified by a main character. Kate McKinnon is an openly gay actor, but her character's sexuality is unclear. Director is a White man who shares writing credit with a White woman.
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Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
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Ghostbusters (2016)
Parent and Kid Reviews
See all
- Parents say (63)
- Kids say (131)
age 11+
Based on 63 parent reviews
concern parents Adult
May 15, 2020
age 15+
terrible
it's just lame. the so called humor isn't humorous, the script is bad. What's worse is the line that insults God, saying "that God must have been drunk". That's blasphemy. All around just a terrible movies.
K L. Adult
April 2, 2017
age 13+
Way More Language than Anticipated
I wish I'd have read all the reviews before I let my 8 and 10 year olds watch this movie. Common Sense says that language is infrequent and the words they list are mild. However, I would estimate that there are well over 20 curse words in this movie (probably more) and they say some that are not listed in Common Sense's review, including "F**K", "B*tch", and "G-D". They also have one guy flipping his middle finger and multiple instances where they use God's name in vain. There is also a very disturbing scene where a guy commits suicide by electrocuting himself. This movie definitely earned it's PG-13 rating.
See all 63 parent reviews
What's the Story?
New York City is under attack from an army of the undead—who you gonna call? That's right, the GHOSTBUSTERS. But in this update of the the 1984 comedy-action classic, the quartet of supernatural scientists is an all-woman team: paranormal experts Abby (Melissa McCarthy) and Erin (Kristen Wiig), nuclear engineer Jillian (Kate McKinnon), and subway worker Patty (Leslie Jones). They bring scientific rigor and plenty of humor to their battle against the paranormal. Watch out for slime!
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (63):
Kids say (131):
The 1984 original—a near-perfect cocktail of brash irreverence, scares, and big laughs—is a tough act to follow, but this reboot comes decently close. In Ghostbusters, chemistry is paramount when assembling a team to follow in the footsteps of Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, and the good news is that McCarthy, Wiig, McKinnon, and Jones are equally inspired and awesome. (McKinnon is especially suited for the franchise.) More raves: Chris Hemsworth shows off his comedic skills to great effect, and fans of the first Ghostbusters will be thrilled by the cameos of the previous ensemble, giving the film a feel-good vibe that's hard to shake. Even the sight of the old firehouse elicits a pang of glee. The story feels of the moment and even amusingly self-referential, with jokes aimed at online trolls who've been quick to condemn the reboot.
Nonetheless, this new Ghostbusters lacks the element of surprise that even remakes should have; the "scary" CGI-dependent scenes lack the spark and fright of that "library moment" in the original, which provided a welcome counter-weight to the rollicking laughs. Strangely enough, the reboot's biggest triumph is that it makes us hope for a sequel, one in which the women can stake their claim on the franchise on their own terms, no longer so strictly compared to the 1984 version. See it—it will definitely make you laugh—but you'll have to wait for it to find its own footing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Ghostbusters is scary. It's packed with angry ghosts, but are they intended to be scary, or funny? How can you tell? Why is it sometimes fun to be scared?
How does this version of the movie compare to the original? What about the more recent adaptations? What's similar, and what's different? Do you have a favorite?
How do the characters demonstrate courage and teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
Does it make a difference that this team of Ghostbusters is all female? Does that affect the story? How does it affect the way you feel about the flirting scenes and the way Chris Hemsworth's character is treated? Would you feel differently if the genders were reversed? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 15, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2016
- Cast : Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones
- Director : Paul Feig
- Inclusion Information : Female actors, Lesbian actors, Black actors, Female writers
- Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths : Courage, Teamwork
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating : PG-13
- MPAA explanation : supernatural action and some crude humor
- Award : Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : October 1, 2024
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Ghostbusters (2016)
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