Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Opening Weekend Falls Short of Expectations

Sony’s latest Ghostbusters installment, Frozen Empire, may have topped the weekend box office, but it failed to meet the high expectations set for its opening. Despite a solid $16 million debut on Friday, including $4.7 million from Thursday previews, the film is projected to fall short of the $42 million to $44 million range that Sony had hoped for. Industry rivals predict a $41 million haul, a slight drop from the pandemic-affected Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The movie faces challenges from mixed reviews, a B+ CinemaScore, and unfavorable weather conditions on the east coast. Frozen Empire serves as a direct sequel to Afterlife, aiming to continue the revitalization of the classic franchise created by Ivan Reitman. Directed by Gil Kenan, the film reunites original cast members with new additions in a story that expands the Ghostbusters universe. Despite the disappointment in opening numbers, Sony remains optimistic about the film’s long-term performance and potential for sequels.