Movie · Comedy, Fantasy · 1984 · PG

Ghostbusters: parents' guide

12+our pick

Best for ages 12 and up. Rated PG.

A classic action comedy that feels more like a modern PG-13 than a PG; it came out just before the PG-13 rating existed. The ghost effects and city-wrecking finale are more fun than terrifying, but a few scares land hard for younger kids, especially the snarling demon dogs and a library ghost that suddenly turns monstrous. The bigger issues are grown-up: several s-words, a ghost implied to perform a sex act in one man's dream, a possessed woman's blunt come-ons, constant cigarette smoking and some whiskey. Much of the innuendo flies past younger viewers, but tweens will catch it.

What's in it

Violence

Mild

Fantasy mayhem rather than real fights: proton beams wreck a hotel ballroom, a giant marshmallow man stomps cars, a demon hurls lightning, and ghosts slime people. Nobody is seriously hurt and there is no blood.

Language

Moderate

Roughly three to six s-words depending on the count, plus 'ass,' 'bitch,' 'dick,' 'pissed,' 'hell' and 'damn,' and God's name as an exclamation. No f-words are reported.

Sex and nudity

Moderate

A ghost unzips a man's pants and his blissed-out face implies oral sex. A possessed woman tells a man 'I want you inside me,' two possessed characters are implied to sleep together, and Venkman kisses Dana while she lies sedated. No nudity.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Moderate

Two of the heroes smoke cigarettes throughout, the team drinks beer, two characters share hard liquor after losing their jobs, and a possessed woman is sedated with an injection.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

Several sharp jump scares, including a ghost that turns into a shrieking skull-faced horror, clawed hands grabbing a woman from inside an armchair, and glowing-eyed demon dogs. Comedy quickly deflates each scare.

Worth talking about

Venkman's 'charm' includes ignoring boundaries with women and students, played for laughs. Ask how those scenes would come across if they happened today.

Where to stream →

On our lists

Similar picks around 12+

Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, bbfc.co.uk, screenwiseapp.com. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.