The cast of Ghostbusters Frozen Empire brings together the Spengler family, familiar faces from the original franchise, and several new characters for another supernatural adventure in New York City. Released in 2024, the film follows the Spenglers as they return to the iconic Ghostbusters firehouse and work alongside the original team after an ancient artifact unleashes a dangerous supernatural force.
Directed by Gil Kenan and written by Kenan and Jason Reitman, the movie expands the story introduced in Ghostbusters: Afterlife while giving longtime franchise characters a substantial role. Here is a closer look at the principal actors, their characters, and how the different generations of Ghostbusters fit together.
Who Is in the Cast of Ghostbusters Frozen Empire?
The central cast combines established Hollywood actors with younger performers who became closely associated with the new generation of Ghostbusters. Sony’s official listing includes Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O’Connor, Logan Kim, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts.
| Actor | Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Rudd | Gary Grooberson | Teacher and member of the Spengler household |
| Carrie Coon | Callie Spengler | Mother and Ghostbusters team member |
| Mckenna Grace | Phoebe Spengler | Young inventor and paranormal investigator |
| Finn Wolfhard | Trevor Spengler | Phoebe’s brother and Ghostbusters trainee |
| Kumail Nanjiani | Nadeem | New character connected to the supernatural threat |
| Celeste O’Connor | Lucky Domingo | Trevor’s friend and fellow paranormal adventurer |
| Logan Kim | Podcast | Young Ghostbusters enthusiast |
| Dan Aykroyd | Ray Stantz | Original Ghostbuster |
| Ernie Hudson | Winston Zeddemore | Original Ghostbuster |
| Annie Potts | Janine Melnitz | Returning character from the original films |
Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson
Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson, who became connected to the Spengler family in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Gary is more than an outside observer in this installment. He is involved with the family’s supernatural activities and has to deal with the risks that come with their Ghostbusters lifestyle.
Rudd brings a mix of humor and grounded reactions to a story filled with ghosts, experimental equipment, and supernatural danger. His character also provides an adult perspective alongside the younger Spenglers.
Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler
Carrie Coon plays Callie Spengler, the mother of Phoebe and Trevor. Following the events of Afterlife, Callie is much more familiar with the family’s connection to Ghostbusters history.
Her role becomes particularly relevant as the Spenglers settle into the New York firehouse. The character is caught between protecting her family and accepting that ghostbusting has become part of their lives.
Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler
Mckenna Grace plays Phoebe Spengler, one of the most important young characters in the franchise’s current storyline. Phoebe is highly curious, technically gifted, and deeply interested in the science behind paranormal activity.
In Frozen Empire, her fascination with ghosts becomes even more personal. Grace’s performance helps make Phoebe a bridge between the scientific curiosity of the original franchise and the younger generation introduced in Afterlife. IMDb credits Grace as Phoebe Spengler.
Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler
Finn Wolfhard plays Trevor Spengler, Phoebe’s older brother. Trevor is less scientifically focused than his sister but remains an important part of the Ghostbusters team.
Wolfhard was already widely recognized for his work in Stranger Things, and his role as Trevor gives him another major genre franchise. IMDb lists him as Trevor Spengler in the film’s credits.
New Characters Add Another Layer
The cast of Ghostbusters Frozen Empire also introduces characters who are not part of the original Ghostbusters group or the Spengler family.
Kumail Nanjiani as Nadeem
Kumail Nanjiani plays Nadeem, a character whose connection to an ancient artifact becomes important to the central supernatural conflict. His arrival adds another personality to the already crowded firehouse and provides some of the movie’s lighter moments.
Nadeem is particularly significant because the mysterious object at the center of the story is tied to the threat facing New York. IMDb identifies Nanjiani’s character as Nadeem.
Celeste O’Connor as Lucky Domingo
Celeste O’Connor returns as Lucky Domingo, who was introduced in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Lucky has experience with the supernatural and maintains her connection with Trevor and the Spenglers.
Her presence also helps keep continuity between the previous movie and Frozen Empire, rather than making the sequel feel like an entirely separate story.
Logan Kim as Podcast
Logan Kim returns as Podcast, Phoebe’s friend and fellow enthusiast of supernatural mysteries. The character’s name reflects his interest in documenting strange events, and he continues to bring youthful energy to the group.
Podcast is another example of how the newer movies build a team around the Spengler family rather than focusing on a single Ghostbuster.
💡 Pro Tip:
If you are watching Frozen Empire mainly for the cast, watch Ghostbusters: Afterlife first. It establishes the Spengler family, their connection to the original Ghostbusters, and several relationships that carry directly into the sequel.
The Original Ghostbusters Return
One of the biggest attractions of the cast of Ghostbusters Frozen Empire is the return of several performers from the classic films. Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts appear alongside Bill Murray, bringing original-era characters back into the story. Sony’s official cast information confirms the returning performers.
Dan Aykroyd as Ray Stantz
Dan Aykroyd reprises his role as Ray Stantz, one of the founding Ghostbusters. Ray remains closely connected to paranormal research and the history of the team.
His return is especially meaningful because Aykroyd co-created the original Ghostbusters concept with the late Harold Ramis and played Ray in the original films.
Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore
Ernie Hudson returns as Winston Zeddemore. In the original movies, Winston became one of the core Ghostbusters alongside Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler.
Frozen Empire continues to show how Winston’s relationship with the Ghostbusters has evolved over the years.
Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz
Annie Potts returns as Janine Melnitz, the longtime receptionist and associate of the Ghostbusters. Janine has been part of the franchise since the original 1984 film, making her one of its enduring supporting characters.
Bill Murray as Peter Venkman
Bill Murray also returns as Dr. Peter Venkman. Although his role is not the same size as it was in the original movie, his appearance reinforces the connection between the classic films and the newer generation.
Who Plays the Main Villain?
The primary supernatural threat is Garraka, an ancient entity whose power is connected to the film’s central artifact. The character is designed as a major threat to both the new and original Ghostbusters.
The story describes Garraka’s power as capable of bringing a deadly freeze to the city, creating the film’s distinctive supernatural winter setting. Sony describes the threat as an ancient evil capable of unleashing a second Ice Age.
The film also features Patton Oswalt as Dr. Hubert Wartzki, another character connected to the team’s investigation. The full cast credits identify Oswalt’s character by name.
📌 Key Takeaway:
The cast of Ghostbusters Frozen Empire works because the movie combines three groups: the Spengler family, newer supporting characters, and returning members of the original Ghostbusters. That structure gives the sequel a direct connection to both Afterlife and the classic films.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the main cast of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
The main cast includes Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Kumail Nanjiani, Celeste O’Connor, and Logan Kim. The movie also brings back Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts from the original franchise.
Is Bill Murray in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
Yes. Bill Murray returns as Peter Venkman. He appears alongside other original franchise performers, including Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts. Their appearances connect the newer Spengler storyline with the characters audiences first encountered in the original Ghostbusters films.
Who plays Phoebe Spengler?
Mckenna Grace plays Phoebe Spengler. Phoebe is Callie’s daughter and Trevor’s younger sister. She is particularly interested in science, inventions, and paranormal phenomena, making her one of the central figures in the new generation of Ghostbusters.
Who plays Trevor Spengler?
Finn Wolfhard plays Trevor Spengler, Phoebe’s older brother. Trevor became involved with Ghostbusters activities after the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife and continues that role in Frozen Empire.
Who is the villain in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
The principal supernatural villain is Garraka, an ancient entity whose powers are connected to the artifact discovered during the story. Garraka’s threat creates the supernatural freeze that puts New York City in danger.
Conclusion
The cast of Ghostbusters Frozen Empire combines familiar franchise favorites with the younger actors who now carry the story forward. Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, and the newer supporting performers give the Spengler storyline its identity, while Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts maintain a direct connection to the original films. Together, the ensemble makes Frozen Empire a continuation of the franchise’s larger Ghostbusters legacy rather than a completely separate adventure.
