Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife Kid Friendly? Parents Guide

Wondering if Ghostbusters: Afterlife is ok for kids? Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13 for some language, action and suggestive references. A fun addition to the Ghostbusters franchise, is it kid friendly? Though some parts of Ghostbusters: Afterlife may be too scary for young kids, it’s a great flick for teens and offers a lot of fan service to the original. Here’s what parents need to know in this Ghostbusters: Afterlife Parents Guide.

Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife Kid Friendly? Parents Guide

Ghostbusters: Afterlife takes place decade after the original. When a single mother, Callie (Carrie Coon), and her two kids Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) move to a new town after her father passes away, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. Phoebe’s grandfather was the legendary Ghostbuster Dr. Egon Spengler.

When weird things start happening like earthquakes on a daily basis in a town with no fault lines, Phoebe and her friend and teacher (Paul Rudd) must find out what’s going on before disaster hits.

Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife kid friendly? Yes, it’s more family friendly than the original and will likely garner new Ghostbuster fans. However, there are still things parents should be aware of. 

What is Ghostbusters: Afterlife Rated?

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13 for supernatural action and suggestive references which means it may not be suitable for children under 13 according to the MPAA.

Language

There is some language including uses of sh*t, a**hole, hell, and damn. There are also sexually suggestive words like the phrase “bone her” and humpy. Also be aware of words of Deity like g-d. 

Action

Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife Too Scary for Kids? There is some supernatural action with ghosts which may be frightening for kids, including tense jump scares. Some of the CGI is realistic looking. Other supernatural scenes are for comedic purposes.

Mature Content

There are some issues of abandonment and absentee fathers.

Some sexual references include talk about virginity and virgin sacrifices. A girl is shown in her bra.

Some characters drink alcohol. 

Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife Appropriate for Kids Under 12?

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is no worse than any other Marvel movie for kids. I would recommend it for kids ages 12 and up, and you can go younger, especially if your kids have watched shows like Stranger Things. Many kids and teens who are fans of Finn Wolfhard and Paul Rudd will want to watch this new Ghostbusters film. 

While Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a lot of fan service, especially all the Easter Eggs thrown in the film, it’s a satisfying reopening of the Ghostbusters fandom. Mckenna Grace is especially noteworthy breathing a lot of emotion into the film. Though I’ve always been a fan of hers ever since Gifted.

Sure there are some misses, as Director Jason Reitman struggles to find its tone. But overall, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a family friendly flick of nostalgia for parents to share with and bequeath to their children this holiday season.