Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Sony's 2nd attempt to revive the franchise, scores a better-than-expected debut
Sony's second stab at a Ghostbusters revival is bustin' up the box office.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife had a solid debut at the domestic box office, grossing a better-than-expected $44 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That was above earlier projections and just slightly below the $46 million opening of the previous 2016 reboot.
Afterlife comes after 2016's Ghostbusters was meant to revive the franchise, following a team of female Ghostbusters led by Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. That reboot drew mostly positive reviews from critics but sparked a backlash online, as well as sexist and racist trolling. Some fans also expressed disappointment that it was a reboot and not a sequel, meaning original stars like Bill Murray couldn't reprise their characters. The reboot ultimately grossed $229 million, a disappointing haul given it cost $144 million to make.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Years later, Sony tried a different approach with Jason Reitman's Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Similar to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Afterlife is set in the same world as the original Ghostbusters and ignores the 2016 film, primarily following new protagonists while evoking nostalgia for the earlier movies and bringing back some classic characters. Critics were more mixed on Afterlife, with some arguing it relied too heavily on fan service and lacked the comedic irreverence of the original by adopting a more dramatic tone. But audiences gave Afterlife a grade of A-, according to CinemaScore, compared to B+ for the 2016 movie.
Though both films had nearly the same opening weekend, Afterlife's budget was significantly lower at a reported $75 million, meaning what was a lackluster gross for one can be considered strong for the other — and possibly enough for a sequel this time.
The 2016 Ghostbusters' director Paul Feig on Twitter congratulated Reitman, praising the new film as "brilliant," while Reitman thanked him and the 2016 cast for "giving me the courage to attempt a [Ghostbusters] movie." Reitman added, "#WeAreAllGhostbusters."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Moldova's pro-West president wins 2nd term
Speed Read Maia Sandu beat Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite suspicions of Russia meddling in the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
2024 race ends with swing state barnstorming
Speed Read Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rallies in battlegrounds over the weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published