New Live-Action ‘Ghostbusters’ Movie Reportedly in Development Titled ‘Ghostbusters Nightmare on 34th Street’

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
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While the animated side of the franchise has been active, the live-action realm of ‘Ghostbusters’ has been relatively quiet. Following the release of ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ in 2024, Sony has yet to greenlight another live-action project, despite hints from director Gil Kenan and actress Annie Potts that more is on the way.

This cautious approach is understandable given the franchise’s history. Four live-action films exist within the same continuity, excluding the 2016 female-led reboot. The two most recent films performed similarly at the box office, with ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ earning $204.3 million on a $75 million budget and ‘Frozen Empire’ grossing $202 million on a $100 million budget.

However, a new report indicates that the wait might soon be over. According to scooper Daniel Richtman, who shared the news on his Patreon on Monday, Sony is working on a new live-action ‘Ghostbusters’ film titled ‘Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street.’

Richtman mentions that the screenplay is being penned by Josh Miller, who is likely the same writer behind the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ films, although this has not been officially confirmed.

If confirmed, Miller collaborates with his partner Pat Casey, having co-written all three ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ films, with a fourth set to release in March. They also worked on ‘Violent Night,’ featuring David Harbour as a Santa Claus battling mercenaries on Christmas Eve. Richtman only named Miller, leaving Casey’s involvement uncertain.

Details about the new film remain scarce, with no director, cast, or plot information available. It’s also unclear if it will follow the main continuity or stand alone. As several outlets have noted, this project should be treated as a rumor until Sony provides confirmation.

The title hints at a thematic direction. It seems to play on ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ the classic 1947 Christmas film set in New York, while also borrowing from ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’ Given that 34th Street is a real location in New York, ComicBook.com suggests the film could explore a genuine holiday horror theme.

This wouldn’t be out of character for the series. ‘Ghostbusters II’ takes place during Christmas and New Year’s, and some of the most memorable episodes of ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ revolve around holidays, including ‘X-Mas Marks the Spot’ and ‘When Halloween Was Forever.’ Dread Central’s Brad Miska speculated whether the film might reference a ‘Real Ghostbusters’ story like ‘Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream,’ though nothing has been confirmed.

This report comes as the franchise expands in other directions. ‘Ghostbusters: Night Shift,’ an animated Netflix series, is set for 2027 and will take place in New York in 1994, five years after ‘Ghostbusters II,’ following a young, untrained crew who must handle a new supernatural threat. Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, and Dan Aykroyd are among its executive producers.

Additionally, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are reportedly developing another animated feature titled ‘Ecto,’ which will be told from a ghost’s perspective. Kris Pearn, director of ‘The Willoughbys,’ is expected to direct.

The timeline placement of the live-action film remains uncertain. ComicBook.com suggests it is likely to be contemporary within the continuity, but it could also serve as a reboot. ‘Frozen Empire’ featured the ‘Afterlife’ cast, including Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Logan Kim, and Celeste O’Connor alongside the legacy Ghostbusters, but it’s unclear who might return.

For now, fans have a title, a writer, and plenty of speculation. An official announcement from Sony would clarify whether this is a sequel, spinoff, or something entirely new, and whether it truly is the holiday horror story that the title suggests.

A Christmas-themed ‘Ghostbusters’ with a horror twist would certainly be a bold move, and the franchise has shown it can successfully blend scares with humor.

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