File under ‘didn’t see coming’: Sony reportedly developing Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street

If you thought Ghostbusters was winding down after all those marshmallow-fuelled relaunches, think again. Word is, Sony might be revving up for yet another trip to spectral New York—this time with a holiday twist you wouldn’t see coming unless you’ve been mainlining Christmas telly movies. Yes, apparently they’re working on something called Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street.

Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street is rumoured to be in development, with Josh Miller said to be writing.

This isn’t an official announcement—Sony haven’t said a thing, so treat this as a solid rumour for the time being. Industry tipster Daniel Richtman is behind the leak, posting the news on his Patreon, which usually means there’s something afoot but absolutely no guarantees until the studio pipes up. Still, the title alone is enough to pique the interest of any half-serious Ghostbusters watcher or, frankly, anyone who fancies Manhattan covered in slime and tinsel at once.

Holiday Haunting?

Is this new project actually going for a Christmassy angle, or is it just a cheeky title and a wink? No one’s let slip any actual plot details, and there’s nothing confirming the setting. That said, Nightmare on 34th Street is an obvious nod to Miracle on 34th Street—which is as Christmas as you can get without actually casting Santa himself. We’ve seen Ghostbusters in winter before: Ghostbusters II went big on the New Year’s Eve chaos, and things were positively arctic in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. So don’t be surprised if we get snow, ghosts, and possibly Bill Murray in a dreadful jumper, but no one’s got the receipts yet.

Where’s Ghostbusters Headed?

Whether this festive fright-fest actually pans out or not, it’s clear Sony have no intention of letting their proton packs gather any dust. There’s already a stack of projects bubbling away:

• Ghostbusters: Night Shift — Netflix is spinning up an animated series expected in 2027. It’s set in 1994, five years after Ghostbusters II, following a bunch of inexperienced New Yorkers who end up zapping the paranormal in classic firehouse fashion. Big names attached as executive producers: Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Hibon, Elliott Kalan, and Amie Karp.
• Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are also co-developing a separate animated Ghostbusters film. Kris Pearn (of The Willoughbys fame) was previously linked to direct.
• And now, potentially, Nightmare on 34th Street as another new live-action film if this rumour holds up.

Netflix plans to drop Ghostbusters: Night Shift in 2027, set just after the events of Ghostbusters II.

None of this should really shock anyone after Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan both admitted they’re still plotting the franchise’s future post-Frozen Empire. Sony seem committed to mixing new faces with the old crowd for as long as the audience keeps showing up.

Will We See the Original Team?

The all-star 80s line-up remains a question mark. Dan Aykroyd himself has gone on record suggesting he might finally hang up the jumpsuit, saying the series should hand over to its next generation. Still, that hasn’t stopped legacy cast popping up for a bit of nostalgia in the newer films, even as the spotlight moves to fresher faces. If Nightmare on 34th Street moves forward, there’s no word at all yet on which side of the proton stream the casting will land.

So for now, all we really know: there’s credible talk about Sony developing another live-action Ghostbusters—rumoured to be called Nightmare on 34th Street and, according to Richtman, written by Josh Miller. That’s your lot until something official leaks out, but if you’re the sort who likes their ghosts with a touch of mince pie, this one’s one to watch.