Netflix's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire offers the franchise a second chance.
Now available for streaming on Netflix, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the fifth installment of the venerable Ghostbusters series, gives fans a second chance to explore the eerie universe of the Ghostbusters. Though the theatrical release is meager, Netflix's larger audience could help to pique franchise interest once more.
Theatrical Release Underwhelmed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Originally set for release in the winter of 2023, Frozen Empire was first only moderately successful as Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The SAG-AFTRA strike caused delays in the movie, though; it finally debuted in March 2024. Reception was, at best, conflicted. Though it had a better opening weekend, it fell short of Afterlife's performance even managing to gross over $200 million. With box office figures declining by 65% in its second weekend, the film's poor performance clearly attracted less viewers.
Critics blamed the film's poor performance on an overly packed cast and a rather lethargic tone. They contended that Frozen Empire lacked the comic appeal of past franchise entries and that it took itself too seriously.
With a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was the lowest-rated movie in the series. Although Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an 83% audience score, this favorable reception was insufficient to drive the movie to success at the box office.
Performance of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire: A closer examination
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's performance is broken out here:
Grade
Value
Plan
One hundred thousand dollars
Box office
201.1 million dollars
Rotten Tomatoes Critics' Grade
forty-two percent
Audience score for Rotten Tomatoes
83%;
Netflix's approach is energizing franchises with nostalgia.
In the past, Netflix's approach of luring viewers with well-known franchises and profite from nostalgia has worked well. Combining important cast members from Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II and returning the Ghostbusters to their venerable New York City Firehouse headquarters, Frozen Empire fits this approach. Among the fan-favorite movies Netflix has also been adding to its library are Back to the Future, Spider-Man, and Beverly Hills Cop.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's Prospective Revival
The fact that the movie is available on Netflix and the news of a new animated series (co-produced by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan) could inspire a comeback in Ghostbusters franchise interest. This fresh animated series could be able to match the popularity of The Real Ghostbusters, which ran from 1986 to 1991.
Ghosts: Legacy of Frozen Empire
Though opinions on the movie's theatrical debut were divided, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire carries on the tale of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), and Podcast (Logan Kim). The original Ghostbusters team helped these youthful ghostbusters create Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Returning as Gary Grooberson, Paul Rudd is joined by Ivan Reitman, co-creator of the franchise, in writer and producer capacity. Remember that Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is another chapter in the continuing tale of the Ghostbusters since the franchise is based on its special mix of humor, horror, and science fiction.
An Other Chance for the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Afterlife kept a somber tone and effectively carried on the Ghostbusters narrative honoring the original movies. Though it followed a similar approach, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire failed to really captivate the viewers in theatres. Its arrival on Netflix, along with a fresh animated series and greater audience access, could, however, revive franchise interest. Time will tell whether this release will be the spark igniting the Ghostbusters' fortunes following their most recent theatrical challenges.
