The spectral shenanigans continue in Spirited 2: Ghosts of the Present, the highly anticipated musical sequel to Apple TV+’s offbeat holiday hit. What begins as another seasonal redemption tale quickly turns into a witty, emotionally rich, and infectiously musical exploration of purpose, self-doubt, and the ever-changing meaning of doing good.
Will Ferrell shines in his return as the Ghost of Christmas Present—but this time, he’s not doling out wisdom. He’s having a full-blown existential crisis. Present is glitching, both literally and emotionally, haunted by the gnawing suspicion that he’s not making the impact he once thought. It’s a clever inversion of the first film’s theme—redemption isn’t just for the living.
Ryan Reynolds, as Clint Briggs, now tries to be the change, which naturally means he’s doing it his own way—imperfectly, sarcastically, but with growing sincerity. When ghostly unrest spills into the real world thanks to Present’s accidental portal-opening (because of course that’s how it goes), it’s Clint who must take the reins and play guide. His dynamic with Ferrell flips from student-teacher to something more akin to two confused dads trying to fix Christmas—and it works brilliantly.
Octavia Spencer returns as Kimberly, offering warmth and wisdom while keeping the guys grounded. And newcomer Joy (whose identity is teased in the trailer but kept secret until release) is a scene-stealing Ghost-in-Training who brings youthful sparkle and emotional honesty to the ghost crew. Her subplot anchors the film’s younger themes—especially the idea that you don’t have to be perfect to be present.
Musically, Spirited 2 delivers. The songs are catchier, quirkier, and more narratively embedded than ever before. A standout number—“The Now in Now”, sung by Ferrell during a meltdown in a mall Santa village—is both hilarious and oddly touching. Reynolds gets a dazzling duet with Joy in “Glitch in the System”, mixing tap, jazz, and Christmas chaos with razor-sharp choreography.
Where the film truly excels is in its meta-holiday messaging. It tackles the commodification of Christmas (via the “Naughty/Nice Algorithm” subplot), critiques tech culture’s obsession with prediction, and ultimately reminds us that true change is not a data point—it’s a choice made every day.
The production design is once again top-notch—blending retro ghost-world charm with digital age satire. Director Sean Anders continues to balance broad humor with subtle heart, and the ending sticks the landing with a clever twist on both the Christmas Carol formula and modern holiday storytelling.
⭐ Verdict: 8.7/10
Spirited 2 is a rare sequel that not only justifies its return—it evolves the concept, deepens its characters, and cranks the musical joy up to 11. Funny, touching, and unexpectedly relevant, it’s a new holiday tradition in the making.
“You can’t rewrite the past… but you can sing your way through the present.”
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