Ghostbusters 5 Rumor Teases a Christmas Twist for the Live-Action Franchise’s Future

Following its recent return to New York City, the Ghostbusters franchise could be eyeing a festive new direction for its fifth live-action feature.

According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Sony is quietly developing a fifth live-action feature tentatively titled Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street. The reported title hints at a seasonal, New York-set storyline, with Sonic the Hedgehog co-writer Josh Miller allegedly roped in to pen the screenplay. Sony has not officially confirmed the project or Miller’s involvement.

The reported title has led to speculation about a holiday-themed story. Still, there are no confirmed plot details, cast members, director, or release date. It is also unknown whether the Spengler family from Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire would return.

Ghostbusters has more than just a new movie in the works

The reported live-action movie is not the only new Ghostbusters project in development. Sony and Netflix are also working on an animated series called Ghostbusters: Night Shift, which is scheduled for 2027. These projects mean the franchise is growing past its recent live-action films.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was the latest live-action entry in the series. The film earned around $202 million worldwide against a reported $100 million budget and received mixed reviews from critics. That film brought the Spengler crew from Oklahoma back to the iconic Manhattan firehouse alongside the original team.

Meanwhile, Ghostbusters: Night Shift will take the franchise back to its animated roots. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix, the series is set in 1994 New York City, five years after the events of Ghostbusters II. The story centers on five young New Yorkers who step up as the city’s newest ghost-hunting crew amidst recent paranormal threats.

The animated project is executive produced by Ben Hibon, Elliott Kalan, Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, Amie Karp, and franchise co-creator Dan Aykroyd. The series continues the property’s cartoon legacy, which began with The Real Ghostbusters in the late 1980s.

As of now, the Ghostbusters 5 rumor remains unconfirmed. If Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street is real, its new title could give the franchise a fresh seasonal setting.

Originally reported on SuperHeroHype.