The 2016 Ghostbusters film takes a different approach to the franchise's mythology, introducing new characters and plotlines while still paying homage to the original. The movie's plot centers around an ancient Sumerian deity, Gozer, who is inadvertently awakened by the Ghostbusters' activities. As the team tries to capture the entity, they must also contend with a government agency that seeks to shut them down.
Unlike the original team, who were essentially blue-collar scientists entering the paranormal field for profit, the 2016 team was driven by genuine passion and scientific curiosity. Wiig and McCarthy shared a palpable chemistry, portraying a friendship fractured by societal rejection. However, the scene-stealer was undeniably Kate McKinnon. Her portrayal of Holtzmann was a kinetic, unfiltered force of nature. With her yellow-lensed glasses and manic grin, she embodied the "mad scientist" trope in a way the franchise had never seen before, delivering some of the film's most memorable lines and physical comedy.
: Many fans felt that a "hard reboot" (ignoring the continuity of the original films) was a betrayal of the franchise's legacy.
The 2016 film was not a sequel but a complete reimagining of the original premise. It follows four eccentric women— (Melissa McCarthy), Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), and Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones)—who form a paranormal investigation and elimination service in New York City. The film brought several new elements to the franchise:
The film's take on the Ghostbusters universe is more grounded in reality than the original, with a focus on the science behind the supernatural. The team's ghost-catching equipment and methods are more advanced and tech-savvy, reflecting the modern era. The movie also explores themes of sexism and misogyny, as the female-led team faces skepticism and dismissal from their male colleagues.