$70 million. Maybe more.

That’s how much the 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot reportedly cost Sony.

The woke comedy cast four female Ghostbusters to replace the four male characters. The film’s first trailer got slimed by fans, and its $128 million US haul proved no match for its shockingly large $144 million budget.

The 2021 franchise do-over learned that hard lesson.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZFCF–uRY

Not only did it ditch the reboot’s woke elements, it shrank the budget to a more manageable $75 million. That meant its $129 million stateside numbers (plus international receipts) were good enough to power another sequel. Those numbers were more impressive considering the film opened mid-pandemic.

So what did Sony do?

The mega studio increased the budget for “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” to $100 million. Of course.

That decision will haunt the studio given what happened over the weekend. “Frozen Empire” collapsed in its second weekend, falling 65 percent for a $15.7 million takeaway. 

The nostalgia-soaked sequel stands at $73 million with diminishing Box Office returns. It will be lucky to cross the $100 million mark domestically. So far, the international receipts are tepid – just $35 million to date. It won’t be saved by China, which refuses to import movies with supernatural themes.

The CCP is afraid of ghosts.

Is this any way to run a franchise?

The new “Ghostbusters” films can’t deliver new characters that trump the original cast. Co-star Paul Rudd looks lost in the sequels, unable to summon his signature spark.

Mckenna Grace’s Phoebe is better, but her teen angst is a far cry from OG star Bill Murray’s wisecrackery.

We still get the old guard in the last two “Ghostbusters” films, but Murray’s appearances are glorified cameos. You get the sense he’s there out of an obligation, not for the love of storytelling.

Where does this leave the franchise?

Like most studios, Sony may try to squeeze one more sequel out of the saga. Remember how it took not one but two “Terminator” flops to finally end that franchise?

Studios love established IPs, even if they don’t always know how to properly honor them. Consider how well the “Road House” reboot is doing with audiences. 

Don’t be surprised if we see one more “Ghostbusters” film before all is said and done. And when that film flops at the box office, no one should be the least bit surprised.

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