Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Ghostbusters: Afterlife earns its keep by finding something unexpectedly tender inside a franchise built on slime and snark: a story about family, inheritance, and the strange comfort of being haunted by the past. Jason Reitman frames the comedy and creature chaos with a warm, small-town adventure vibe, letting the mystery build patiently before the proton packs start singing, and it’s anchored by a terrific Mckenna Grace, who makes Phoebe’s sharpness and loneliness feel real without ever dragging the fun down. The movie’s affection for the original is unmistakable, but it isn’t just a reference parade—it uses that legacy to give the laughs and scares a little extra weight. Fair warning: if you want the nonstop, wisecracking rhythm of the 1984 film, this one’s gentler and more sentimental, but if you’re open to a crowd-pleaser with heart, it lands.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is clearly trying to be a heartfelt handoff to a new generation while paying respect to the original, and when it focuses on Phoebe’s curiosity and the small-town mystery, it has a sweet, Spielberg-ish charm. The problem is it leans so hard on nostalgia and familiar beats that it can feel more like a tribute act than a fresh comedy-adventure, with humor and momentum that often play it safe. If you want the sharp, irreverent snap of the 1984 film or a truly inventive new ghost story, this may come off as formulaic and a bit drab. But if you’re in the mood for a gentler, family-leaning sequel with a few warm emotional payoffs and some fun gadget/ghost business, it’s an easy enough watch.