10 Biggest Reveals in New Ghostbusters Afterlife Trailer

The brand-new trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife has finally been released from Sony's Ecto-Containment Unit, and though last year's trailer left many of us excited for the long-awaited third entry to the original two movies, the latest trailer – clocking in at two-and-a-half-minutes – makes us wish we could fast-forward to November already.

Check it out below:

Aside from the fact that it looks pretty awesome, there's a lot to be taken from it, yet at the same time, it doesn't appear to be giving too many spoilers away – which is never a bad thing. So, here are the 10 biggest reveals in the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer…

1. Phoebe

While it was already obvious from the previous trailer that McKenna Grace's character was on the geeky, science-nerd side like her late grandfather Egon Spengler, we now know for certain that she's awkward and nerdy like him too. In the trailer, her mother Callie, played by Carrie Coon, explains to Paul Rudd's Mr. Grooberson that her daughter "keeps her on the outside", while Mr. Grooberson reassures her, saying "It's normal – she's an awkward, nerdy kid". Intercut scenes show her being picked on in the classroom. These ingredients make for a perfect Ghostbuster, and a wonderful homage to the character of Egon Spengler, in that his spirit lives on in his descendants.

2. The Original Ghostbusters

If there was ever any doubt, the original Ghostbusters are back – and there's proof in the new trailer. Not only do we see a photograph of the four – Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore, and Ray Stantz – we also get to see the iconic commercial, as well as a couple of returning characters specifically in this trailer. But don't worry – everyone else is returning too (except for Rick Moranis, unfortunately). Nevertheless, seeing them in photos and in the flesh in the new trailer reaffirms the fact that this movie ties in heavily with the original.

3. Janine

Speaking of original returning characters, in the trailer we see none other than the Ghostbusters' former secretary Janine Melnitz herself, who is speaking to Callie, joking, "Your father wasn't much of a homemaker – he could hardly keep the power on." Callie responds, saying, "Are you saying he left us nothing?" to which Janine replies, "Well, I wouldn't say nothing," before we cut to Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) discovering a rusty Ecto-1 in the barn. Janine's presence in the trailer is huge – not because she's a returning character, but her dialogue confirms that Egon is Callie's father, something that has been debated since the first trailer last year. Not only that, but it appears that Janine is the mother. The words "your father" are the biggest giveaway, along with the fact that Janine is in Summerville in the first place...

4. Egon's Motivations

Egon's motivations for moving to Summerville in Oklahoma have now been made clear, in that we know he specifically moved there for paranormal-related purposes. Phoebe states in the trailer, "Egon came out here for a reason". While this was probably already pretty obvious, there was always the possibility that he had simply retired to the sleepy, backwater town. But that's too much of a coincidence. There's something strange going on down in those mines, and one simply doesn't relocate all the Ghostbusters equipment – and the Ecto-1 – without a good reason…

5. The MiniPufts

There was also a little bit of debate as to whether the MiniPufts teaser trailer was actual footage from the film or some sort of promotional commercial to help the movie sell merchandise. While MiniPufts toys have already become a thing, the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer confirms that this is indeed footage from the new movie, as we revisit the scene where Mr. Grooberson discovers the little StayPufts wreaking havoc in the local Walmart. Along with the appearance of other familiar villains – keep reading to find out who we're talking about – it's likely that the MiniPufts hasn't just been thrown into the film for cameo purposes, and that their presence is integral to the plot.

6. Shandor Mining

There really is something strange going on down in those mines in Summerville. The first trailer told us that they were Ivo Shandor's mines – he's the villain responsible for creating Spook Central in the original movie, and has also appeared in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, which is actually a sequel to the first two movies – and now we know that these mines will serve as the hotbed of paranormal activity in the new film. Not only do we get a reminder that something emerges from the mines – likely the ghost Muncher – we also spend some time down there in the new trailer. We get to see a large statue of some kind, undoubtedly the target of some ancient worshipping, and something crawling out an abyss that's filled with an ethereal light. Gozer, perhaps..?

7. Terror Dog

At long last, we finally get to see the official return of the Terror Dogs. The original trailer did tease this when a dark beast with clawed feet lands on the bonnet of a car in which Mr. Grooberson is desperately hiding. But the new trailer has no interest in keeping this a mystery any longer, as we see poor Paul Rudd fleeing a Walmart - where he has presumably already encountered the MiniPufts - only to have a Terror Dog hot on his heels, echoing the classic scene from the 1984 original where Louis Tully gets chased into Central Park by the beast before it transforms him into the Keymaster. Could Mr. Grooberson face the same fate? Let's hope so, as he's probably a bit safer that way.

8. New Ghostbusters Equipment

If 'gunner-seats' built into the original Ecto-1 wasn't enough to have fans salivating, then feast your eyes on the latest gizmo the trailer treats us to - a ghost trap on wheels! While the film looks to be recalling some of the now-vintage Ghostbusters equipment, it looks like Egon was busy in the last few months of his life designing and building new equipment for a new generation of Ghostbusters. Or perhaps this is Phoebe's doing, which would be a nice callback to her late grandfather, as she continues his legacy in more ways than one.

Related: Why Ghostbusters Afterlife Will Be Better Than the Reboot

9. 'The Apocalypse'

There are all sorts of spooky goings-on in the new trailer, but perhaps the most unsettling is the apocalyptic stuff - and there's a lot of it too, from street-splitting earthquakes to sky beams surrounded by ominous clouds. And there are also the swirling, fluorescent pink streaks of ethereal light doing the literal rounds too - very reminiscent of the montage from the original. While the rest of the film appears to be somewhat grounded - just like the originals - let's face it, it wouldn't be a Ghostbusters movie without something strange going on in some neighborhood.

10. Ray Stantz

Yes, even Ray Stantz himself makes a last-minute appearance in the trailer, picking up the phone and saying "We're closed'. But where is he? Cast your mind back to Ghostbusters II in which we saw Ray in his shop 'Occult Books', which has also appeared in other forms of Ghostbusters media. You can even see the sign in the new trailer, in reverse through the window, before Ray reaches for the phone. Who ya gonna call? Well, an actual Ghostbuster, of course. Even if he does appear to be in retirement.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife releases in theaters on November 19, 2021.