When it comes to Ghostbusters there’s a thin line between funny and scary. The original film from 1984 edged a little more on the scary side, but with enough comedy weaved throughout to keep things from going full horror. The sequel in 1989 definitely leaned a little harder toward the comedy side of things. Now that there’s a brand new movie set in the same universe that parents know so well, they’re probably curious if Ghostbusters: Afterlife is too scary for their kids. Well, it kind of depends on your kid. Read on for our best recommendations for what ages can handle watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
While every household clearly has to make their own judgments, it’s easy to say that really young kids are probably not ready for Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The easiest way to judge whether your children are ready for this movie would be to ask yourself: Are they ready for the original Ghostbusters? We say this not only because this sequel takes a lot of its inspiration from the original movie, but also because, at moments, Ghostbusters: Afterlife does get a little scary. So, it’s probably fair to say that no child under the age of seven or eight is ready for the scary aspects of this movie, nor will they likely understand the nuances that make this movie so much fun.
Now, when it comes to your 8-13 year olds, it’s kind of a judgement call. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13 from the MPAA with the only warning being for “supernatural action and some suggestive references” (which can be found on Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s official website at the bottom under ‘Credits’). If you believe your younger child can handle that kind of thing, especially if they’re familiar with supernatural violence and action from TV and other movies at home, then you’re probably in good shape for this movie. Honestly, the best test for whether they are ready for the scariest parts of Ghostbusters: Afterlife is probably whether or not they’ve seen the original.
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Because, at its scariest, Ghostbusters: Afterlife doesn’t really reach the biggest scares of the 1984 original. The original film’s downtown Manhattan high-rise setting increases the death toll and damage quotient, not to mention the creepiness of what happens in Dana Barrett’s apartment as Zuul comes forth to possess her. The scariest moments in Ghostbusters: Afterlife didn’t seem to reach the same level of scare as those in the 1984 film. Maybe that's because of the younger protagonist in the new movie, which does make the movie more accessible to the younger demographic. Basically, if, in preparation for your children seeing Ghostbusters: Afterlife, you’ve shown your kids Ghostbusters, and they enjoyed it, then there’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t be ready for the new movie.
It’s also worth noting that while Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13 to Ghostbusters PG, the original film is definitely the scarier of the two movies. As time moves on, ratings systems adjust for the more modern aesthetics and are largely relative anyway. Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s PG-13 rating feels appropriate, just as Ghostbusters PG rating probably felt appropriate back in 1984. Those ratings are merely there as guidance, and parents should probably use their best personal judgement when deciding what their child is ready to see unfold on screen.