EntertainmentMoviesComedy MoviesGhostbusters: Frozen EmpireGhostbusters: Frozen Empire ending explained: your biggest questions answeredWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesComedy MoviesGhostbusters: Frozen EmpireGhostbusters: Frozen Empire ending explained: your biggest questions answeredWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sony)
Need to know more about theGhostbusters: Frozen Empireending? Who you gonna call – GamesRadar! Hey, it fits.
With a new generation of Spenglers relocating to New York and the iconic firehouse, the Ghostbusters sequel was always going to throw up – Slimer style – an adventure of ghastly proportions. Now that the dust has settled (and the ice has thawed) on the Frozen Empire ending, we’re here to pick over the bones of the big burning questions you may have about the new legacy sequel.
So join us as we break down all of Frozen Empire’s biggest talking points – and speculate as to what could be ahead for the Spengler family if we get Ghostbusters 5.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ending – a quick recap
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
First, let’s go over what we all just saw. With the Ghostbusters shut down following Phoebe’s Public Library ghost hunt gone wrong, the youngest of the Spengler clan acts out and heads to Winston’s new containment unit so she can separate her spirit from her body and properly interact with her new ghost companion, Melody.
Unbeknownst to her, Melody is secretly in league with Frozen Empire’s villain Garraka, an ancient “phantom god” who wants to raise an army of the undead and take over the world.
Thanks to the guidance of Patton Oswalt’s lorekeeping Dr. Wartzki, the gang discover that they can trap Garraka using brass and Nadeem’s firemaster skills.
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Unfortunately, things quickly go wrong as Garraka enters the firehouse and freezes everyone – including the OG Ghostbusters team. Thankfully, Melody has a change of heart, and uses the last match from the matchbook that accidentally killed her family to give Nadeem the spark he needed to turn the tide of battle and free everyone.
Garraka is eventually defeated, with the OG Ghostbusters working together to reset the original containment unit in the basement. A chasm opens up in the firehouse and Garraka is sucked in. Melody, having let go of her grief with the matchbook, is also freed to see her family in the beyond.
As Slimer flies through a New York block, Trev takes the wheel of the Ecto-1 and gives chase.
In a quickFrozen Empire post-credits scene, the Mini-Pufts are seen hijacking a Stay-Puft truck.
Who is Melody?
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
While we don’t know everything about Melody’s history, we do know she inadvertently started a fire that caused the death of her and her family. Unable to move on and cursed to stay on Earth as a spirit, she first joins forces with Garraka before helping Phoebe in her battle against the ice-ridden god.
Speaking of Phoebe, Frozen Empire seemingly implies – but doesn’t outright confirm – that the youngest Spengler child has feelings for Melody (Emily Alyn Lynd). They go unrequited, but Melody saying she’ll be part of the fabric of the universe when she does finally depart this mortal realm was a cute little moment.
What is a firemaster?
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
In short, think Avatar: The Last Airbender’s firebenders and you’re basically on the right track.
How do they stop Garraka?
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
‘For Ivan’, explained
The ‘For Ivan’ tribute at the very end of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is in reference to Ivan Reitman, the director of the first two Ghostbusters movies as well as a producer on Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Reitman passed away in 2022 at the age of 75. His son, Jason Reitman, directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife and co-wrote the script for Frozen Empire.
What do the original Ghostbusters get up to?
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
Director Gil Kenantold SFX magazinethat the returning original Ghostbusters team would be “actual characters” rather than just cameos in Frozen Empire.
True to his word, they each have slightly extended roles in the fourth movie. Most prominent of which is Winston, who is now a philanthropist and puts his money into bigger and better ghostbusting technology.
Ray Stantz, meanwhile, still owns his bookshop – and is now seemingly running a paranormal-shaped streaming channel. Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman is also back and plays a key role in defeating Garraka alongside his time – which includes a suited-up Melnitz (Annie Potts).
What happens to Phoebe?
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
Phoebe’s character arc forms much of the crux of Frozen Empire, with the youngest Spengler struggling to come to terms with being a child in an adult’s world. She soon forms a bond with ghost Melody, who betrays her and lets Garraka possess her.
While those effects are only temporary, Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) ends the film with a slightly changed attitude: she’s welcomed back into the Ghostbusters fold and even calls Gary (Paul Rudd) ‘dad’.
What next for the Ghostbusters?
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
Take a look ahead to the rest of the year’s big releases with our guide toupcoming moviesand ourmovie release datescalendar. Then dive into our interviewswith Ghostbusters director Gil KenanandStranger Things star Finn Wolfhard.
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