The Ghostbusters saga could be about to add a new live-action installment, this time with a very particular twist: a Christmas setting. The news gains relevance just as the franchise is experiencing a moment of expansion on several fronts, from cinema to streaming animation.
Following the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Sony had focused its upcoming moves primarily on animated projects. However, a new report suggests that the company is also working on a live-action film that would continue the franchise on the big screen.
A title that points directly to Christmas
According to insider Daniel Richtman, Sony is developing a film under the working title Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street. The name is an obvious nod to Miracle on 34th Street, which reinforces the idea of a story set during the holiday season.
For the moment, Sony has not officially confirmed the project, so it is best to take the information with caution. No details have been revealed about the plot or which characters might star in this new adventure.
What has been noted is the name of the screenwriter tasked with shaping the project: Josh Miller, known for his work on Sonic and Violent Night. His profile is interesting for a franchise that tends to work best when it combines supernatural elements with a lighthearted tone.
Unresolved questions
So far, no director has been mentioned. It is also unclear whether the film would bring back the protagonists seen in the latest installments or if Sony would opt to introduce a new team of Ghostbusters.
In short, there is progress on a possible project, a working title, and an attached screenwriter, but the rest of the production remains, for now, in uncertain territory.
Netflix prepares an animated series set in the 90s
While the future of this potential film is being cleared up, the franchise already has another confirmed project underway. Netflix will premiere Ghostbusters: Night Shift in 2027, an animated series that will be part of the official continuity of the films.
The plot will take place during the 90s, in the stretch of the timeline located between the two original films and the most recent installments. The series will follow a new team of Ghostbusters in that still little-explored period.
Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, the creative forces behind the latest films in the saga, will serve as executive producers, ensuring a creative connection to the modern era of the franchise.
An animated film under the working title Ecto is also moving forward
Sony also has another animated Ghostbusters film in development, still without an official title, although it is circulating under the working title Ecto. Kris Pearn, director of The Willoughbys, is reportedly at the helm of the project, while Sam Jarvis is handling the script.
One of the most striking aspects of this proposal is that, according to rumors, the story could be told from the point of view of a ghost, an unusual approach within the franchise.
A franchise that continues to expand its continuity
The current era of Ghostbusters began after the 2016 reboot directed by Paul Feig. Subsequently, Sony returned to the original continuity with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, released in 2021 under the direction of Jason Reitman, son of the original director Ivan Reitman.
That film introduced a new generation of characters linked to Egon Spengler and brought back veteran figures such as Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts.
In 2024, Gil Kenan took over as director of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which reunited the classic characters alongside Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Logan Kim, and Celeste O'Connor, bringing the action back to New York.
For now, Ghostbusters: Night Shift is the only project in the franchise with a confirmed release date, scheduled for 2027. The possible live-action Christmas film still needs official confirmation from Sony, but the idea of taking the Ghostbusters on an adventure during the holidays opens up numerous possibilities for the saga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Sony officially confirmed the new Ghostbusters movie?
No. The information comes from a report by insider Daniel Richtman and Sony has not made any official announcement regarding the project.
What would Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street be about?
No plot details are known. The title suggests a Christmas setting, but there is no confirmed information about the story.
Who would write the script for the new movie?
According to the report, the script would be written by Josh Miller, screenwriter of Sonic and Violent Night.
When will the Netflix animated series be released?
Ghostbusters: Night Shift will arrive on Netflix in 2027 and will be set in the 90s.
What other Ghostbusters projects are in development?
In addition to the possible Christmas movie and the Netflix series, Sony is developing an animated film under the working title Ecto, directed by Kris Pearn.
Who are the executive producers of the Night Shift series?
Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, directors of the latest films in the franchise, are participating as executive producers of the series.
