Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters

movie

PG-13, 2016, Action, Fantasy

WISE
48%

WISE Score

74

Avg. Tomatometer

The 2016 all-female Ghostbusters reboot that sparked a thousand internet arguments—and delivered a pretty forgettable movie.

IMDb6.8
RT Critics74%
MC60
TMDB5.4
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is the reboot that became more famous for the online controversy than for being a good movie. And honestly? It's just not very good.

The idea of an all-female Ghostbusters team is great—representation matters, and showing women scientists as heroes is genuinely positive. But the execution is weak. The jokes mostly don't land, the characters are thinly written, and the whole thing feels like it's trying too hard. The 5.4/10 TMDB rating tells the story: audiences weren't impressed.

For families, it's safe enough—the scares are silly rather than scary, and there's nothing truly inappropriate. But "safe" doesn't mean "worth watching." At nearly two hours, it drags, and kids will likely get bored while adults cringe at the humor.

If your tween is curious about Ghostbusters, honestly, just show them the 1984 original. It holds up better, it's funnier, and it's more imaginative. This 2016 version isn't offensive or harmful—it's just forgettable. And in a world with infinite streaming options, forgettable is the kiss of death.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14 who can handle mild supernatural scares and crude humor. Younger kids might find some ghost sequences unsettling, while older teens and adults will likely find it too juvenile and poorly executed to enjoy.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
68

Features a team of women scientists working together cooperatively to save New York. Models problem-solving and friendship, though includes some crude humor and bathroom jokes typical of the genre. The tone is generally positive with characters supporting each other, but the pacing can be chaotic with heavy CGI action sequences.

Imaginative
55

A reboot that brings the Ghostbusters concept to a new generation with updated effects and an all-female cast, but doesn't break new ground creatively. The ghost designs and gadgetry offer some visual imagination, but the overall story beats are familiar territory. It's more remake than reinvention, lacking the originality that made the 1984 film groundbreaking.

Safe
72

PG-13 territory with supernatural scares that are more silly than terrifying, some crude humor, and action violence that's cartoonish rather than graphic. No gore, nudity, or truly disturbing content. The scares are telegraphed and played for laughs more than genuine fright. Some bathroom humor and mild language, but nothing shocking or inappropriate for tweens and up.

Enriching
48

Shows women in STEM fields as capable heroes, which is a positive message. However, the film prioritizes spectacle over substance, with thin character development and predictable plotting. The science is more technobabble than educational. Entertainment value is middling—the comedy often falls flat and the 117-minute runtime feels padded. Not much to discuss beyond surface-level themes.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Shows women scientists as capable, tech-savvy heroes saving the city—positive representation for girls interested in STEM
  • Safe supernatural comedy without genuinely scary or traumatic content, just goofy ghosts and slime
  • Some fun visual effects and gadgetry that might appeal to kids who like action-comedy
  • Models teamwork and friendship among the four leads
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What to Watch For

  • Crude humor including bathroom jokes and some physical comedy that falls flat
  • Chaotic pacing with heavy CGI that can feel overwhelming
  • The comedy is hit-or-miss—many jokes don't land, making the 117 minutes feel longer
  • Kids familiar with the 1984 original might find this version disappointing by comparison

Conversation Starters

  • "What would you do if you saw a ghost? Would you want to catch it or run away?"
  • "The team uses science and engineering to build their ghost-catching equipment. What kind of gadget would you invent?"
  • "Why do you think the characters decided to work together instead of trying to fight ghosts alone?"
  • "Did you think the ghosts were scary or funny? What made them one or the other?"
Stills
Ghostbusters — still 1
Ghostbusters — still 2
Ghostbusters — still 3
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Ghostbusters — still 5
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Ghostbusters — still 7
Ghostbusters — still 8

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