Ghostbusters: Afterlife first reactions: here's what the critics thought

A promotional image for Ghostbusters: Afterlife from Sony Pictures

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

A surprise screening of Ghostbusters: Afterlife has been held at CinemaCon – and those lucky enough to be in attendance have been unanimous in their praise for the sequel.

The recently released Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer may be dominating the headlines after its official unveiling on Monday, August 23.

Sony Pictures, though, had more shock reveals under its sleeve as part of its three-hour long CinemaCon presentation – one of which included an unexpected early screening of Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

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CinemaCon attendees, including US-based journalists, were some of the first film fans to see the forthcoming sequel ahead of its November release. Judging by the social media reactions in the wake of the screening, it seems that Ghostbusters: Afterlife may be a sequel that's worthy of the first two instalments in the franchise.

Writer-director Ben Mekler was one of the first to offer his thoughts on the movie, proclaiming that Afterlife is the sequel that "fans have been waiting for":

Surprise #GhostbustersAfterlife screening just blew the roof off #CinemaCon. LOVED IT. This movie meant everything to me - an emotional sequel that is guaranteed to be almost indecipherable to outsiders. This is what the fans have been waiting for. I WOULD DIE FOR MUNCHERAugust 24, 2021

TheWrap's film editor Beatrice Verhoeven revealed that she was "pleasantly surprised" by Afterlife before lauding its humor, which is a staple component of any good Ghostbusters film:

I was pleasantly surprised by #GhostbustersAfterlife! Really great story and I actually cackled a lot#CinemaCon https://t.co/1nWNiPjJFmAugust 24, 2021

Hollywood Critics Association founder Ben Menzel hailed the flick as "nostalgia done right", saying that Afterlife's blend of "classic Ghostbusters moments" with a novel approach will appeal to long time fans and newcomers alike:

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the Ghostbusters sequel that I’ve been waiting all my life to see. It is nostalgia done right. A perfect blend of classic Ghostbusters moments with a fresh & unique twist for a whole new generation to enjoy. I got goosebumps. #GhostbustersAfterlife pic.twitter.com/lOAtbMQedfAugust 24, 2021

Insider's Jason Guerrasio likened Afterlife to old school Steven Spielberg films and praises director Jason Reitman for being "extremely loyal" to the first two Ghostbusters movies with his vision:

Ghostbusters: Afterlife … Wow! Was not expecting how heartfelt it is. It has a very childlike Spielberg vibe to it. And @JasonReitman is extremely loyal to the original. #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/APyHMzEuYdAugust 24, 2021

Finally, Bleeding Cool's editor-in-chief Kaitlyn Booth admitted that she hadn't been into Ghostbusters earlier in her life, but said Afterlife had "a ton of heart and a great cast" before teasing fans that there may be post-credits scenes to stick around for:

#GhostbustersAfterlife was really great. As someone who wasn't a massive of #Ghostbusters I had so much fun even without understanding the references. A ton of heart with a great cast. New and old fans are going to love it. Stay through the credits! #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/Gc3oySIXOaAugust 24, 2021

Set 32 years after 1989's Ghostbusters II, Afterlife follows single mom Callie (Carrie Coon) and her children Phoebe (McKenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) as they move into the former home of Phoebe and Trevor's late grandfather.

It isn't long before the duo discover that their grandad was an ex-Ghostbuster, however – coincidentally around the same time that supernatural occurrences start to afflict their new hometown. It's up to Phoebe, Trevor and their friends, then, to live up to their grandfather's legacy and put a stop to this new otherworldly threat.

Also starring Paul Rudd and former Ghostbusters stars including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver, Ghostbusters: Afterlife arrives in theaters on November 11.

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