Ghostbusters II Movie Review | Common Sense Media

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Parents' Guide to

Ghostbusters II Movie PG 1989 110 minutes Ghostbusters II Poster Image
  • Common Sense Says
  • Parents Say 17 Reviews
  • Kids Say 28 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Colette DeDonato , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Slime-soaked sequel has violence, cursing.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Ghostbusters II is the 1989 sequel to Ghostbusters. Amid the scenes of ghosts and slimes, there are some scenes of demonic imagery, including a scene in which dozens of decapitated cadaver heads are on stakes. Profanity is infrequent ("a-…

 Why Age 10+? Language

Infrequent profanity: "a--hole," "s--t," "crap," "hell," "Jesus." Some sexual in

 Violence & Scariness

Some demonic imagery, including dozens of severed heads in the subway. A baby in

 Sex, Romance & Nudity

Some sexual innuendo, including references to "gynecological exams" and "exposin

 Products & Purchases

The Ghostbusters make reference to various NYC newspapers and try to imagine wha

 Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Characters suggest going out for a beer. Wine drinking at dinner. One of the Gho

 Any Positive Content? Positive Messages

Kindness and warmth encouraged by the Ghostbusters to all New Yorkers as a way t

 Positive Role Models

Characters too cartoonish to be seen as positive role models.

  • Parents Need to Know

    Parents need to know that Ghostbusters II is the 1989 sequel to Ghostbusters. Amid the scenes of ghosts and slimes, there are some scenes of demonic imagery, including a scene in which dozens of decapitated cadaver heads are on stakes. Profanity is infrequent ("a--hole" and "s--t") and there's some sexual innuendo, including references to "gynecological exams" and "exposing ourselves." Sex is implied between two characters who jump up from a couch with their hair messed up and clothes rumpled when someone else enters the room. Cigar smoking is shown, as is wine drinking in an upscale restaurant. In one scene, an infant steps out onto the ledge of a high-rise building and hangs precariously over the edge.

    To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

  • Language

    some

    Infrequent profanity: "a--hole," "s--t," "crap," "hell," "Jesus." Some sexual innuendo, references to "exposing ourselves" and "gynecological tests."

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Violence & Scariness

    some

    Some demonic imagery, including dozens of severed heads in the subway. A baby in a carriage rolls away from her mother and weaves in and out of NYC traffic. The Ghostbusters crew attacks the slime and the ghosts with laser guns that shoot light and goo. A baby walks out onto the ledge of a high-rise apartment building before being kidnapped by a ghost. Reckless driving. Explosions.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Sex, Romance & Nudity

    a little

    Some sexual innuendo, including references to "gynecological exams" and "exposing ourselves." Implied sex between two characters who jump up nervously from a couch, hair and clothes ruffled, when someone else enters the room.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Products & Purchases

    very little

    The Ghostbusters make reference to various NYC newspapers and try to imagine what the headlines would be for each of them.

  • Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

    very little

    Characters suggest going out for a beer. Wine drinking at dinner. One of the Ghostbusters smokes a cigar.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Positive Messages

    very little

    Kindness and warmth encouraged by the Ghostbusters to all New Yorkers as a way to stop this latest infestation of ghosts, demons, and slime.

  • Positive Role Models

    very little

    Characters too cartoonish to be seen as positive role models.

Where to Watch

  • Ghostbusters II Trailer Ghostbusters II
  • Ghostbusters II Movie: Scene One
  • Ghostbusters II Movie: Scene Two
  • Ghostbusters II Movie: Scene Three

Ghostbusters II

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
  • Parents Say (17)
  • Kids Say (28)
age 10+

Based on 17 parent reviews

See all 17 parent reviews age 10+

Based on 28 kid reviews

Kids say the sequel offers a mix of humor and mild scares, while some find it less impressive than the original; it includes elements like mild language and brief suggestive content that may not be suitable for young children. Overall, the movie is considered entertaining for older kids and families, despite its predictability and some less exciting moments compared to its predecessor.

  • underrated sequel
  • kid-friendly
  • mild language
  • entertaining humor
  • visible creepiness
  • less excitement
Summarized with AI
See all 28 kid reviews

What's the Story?

The once-famous Ghostbusters are long-forgotten and bankrupt when the film begins. When some mysterious slime surfaces, they gladly trade their gigs singing at children's birthday parties for their real ghostbusting duties. Dr. Peter Venkman's (Bill Murray) ex-girlfriend Dana (Sigourney Weaver), now a single mom, is forced to confront the paranormal after a strange slime incident involving her 9-month old baby, Oscar. Coincidentally, Dana works for the Met as a restoration artist, where she encounters a mysterious portrait of a long-dead madman. His evil spirit inhabits the artwork, waiting for his chance to come alive again. When he takes an interest in baby Oscar, you know who Dana's gonna call.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review: Parents say (17 ): Kids say (28 ):

Murray's in his prime here as one of four fearless slime fighters in a sequel that's almost as funny and entertaining as the original. GHOSTBUSTERS II was partially written by two of its actors: Dan Akroyd (who played Dr. Raymond Stantz) and Harold Ramis (Dr. Egon Spengler). It's hard not to laugh at anything Bill Murray says or does. He has a sly, wry, comic genius that makes even the simplest plot (which is what gives this sci-fi adventure its charm) a little more complex.

This hodgepodge of occult, paranormal, and plain bizarre elements means all kinds of zaniness is free to ensue -- especially when you serenade Lady Liberty with a little Motown. It's a nice little send-up to the world of psychics and other New Age types, as well, who take themselves far too seriously. It can even put some of those paranormal shows like Ghost Hunters and Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead in perspective for kids who can get caught up in the hype. However outdated the special effects might seem in today's light, the movie works as a not-so-scary comedic action film.

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Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the idea of ghosts and what people believe about them. Are they real? Are they imagined?

  • You can also discuss the "mood slime" the Ghostbusters discover and if there's a metaphor in there for real life: negative energy begets more negativity, and a positive outlook begets more positive outcomes. When have you found this to be true?

  • How does this sequel compare to the original? Are sequels ever better than the first movie?

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Movie Details

  • In theaters : June 16, 1989
  • On DVD or streaming : June 29, 1999
  • Cast : Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Sigourney Weaver
  • Director : Ivan Reitman
  • Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
  • Studio : Sony Pictures
  • Genre : Family and Kids
  • Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
  • Run time : 110 minutes
  • MPAA rating : PG
  • MPAA explanation : mild action
  • Last updated : October 1, 2025
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Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Ghostbusters II

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