Impera and film (2020–2024)
On 8 October 2020, Ghost confirmed that they would release their fifth studio album in winter 2020. There was a tour planned for March 2021, but it had been postponed to the fall of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the same day, the band was given the Music Export Prize of 2019 by the government of Sweden. On 21 October 2020, Ghost later announced that they would be entering the recording studio in January to begin recording the album for a late 2021 release. Ghost announced on their Facebook page on 30 December 2020, that 'several big things' were being worked on for 2021, indicating new music and live performances.
Papa Emeritus IV made his public debut on the Swedish television game show På spåret on 22 January 2021, joining alongside The Hellacopters to perform a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil". Ghost later released a music video for "Life Eternal" on 3 March 2021, which featured live footage from the previous show in Mexico City the year before. Ghost became a featured artist on Metallica's tribute album The Metallica Blacklist which was released on 10 September 2021, in which they perform "Enter Sandman". On 30 September 2021, the band unveiled their single "Hunter's Moon", which is featured on the soundtrack of the 2021 slasher film Halloween Kills.
In an interview on 30 October 2021, Forge announced that the concept of the album would be based on "the rise and fall of empires". On 20 January 2022, the band released the single, "Call Me Little Sunshine" as the second from their fifth studio album, Impera, which was released on 11 March 2022. On 2 March 2022, the band released the third single from the album, "Twenties". On 8 March, the band announced its sponsorship of the JD Motorsports No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro SS driven by Bayley Currey at the 12 March NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix Raceway. Ghost would later make an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform "Call Me Little Sunshine" which had previously been postponed due to touring commitments. On 27 July 2022, the band released a music video for the album's fourth single, "Spillways", which was rereleased in January 2023 with Joe Elliott as a featured guest.
Ghost kicked off on the Imperatour in the US from January to March 2022, co-headlining with Volbeat and Twin Temple. Ghost later announced a European tour of the same name on 23 November 2021, with Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats and Twin Temple joining as support. Ghost was featured as a headliner for Hellfest in Clisson, France, on 18 June 2022. On 17 May 2022, the band announced the second North American leg with Mastodon and Spiritbox as opening acts. During an interview on 12 September 2022, Forge confirmed that there would be more touring in 2023, and later revealed further touring plans for Asia and Oceania, as well as stating that he was working on the follow-up for Impera. On 13 February 2023, the band announced that they would be touring the US again from August to September 2023, with Amon Amarth as special guests.
On 1 February 2023, the band temporarily hosted an archival exhibition in Los Angeles, in celebration of the band's "1969 era" which had featured Papa Nihil and other items from that era. Upon release of Chapter 16 in the band's web series, speculation began to spread that Papa Emeritus IV will be "killed off" at the end of the Imperatour, following the announcement of a second show at the Kia Forum in Inglewood. A South American leg was announced on 4 April 2023, which was the band's first time headlining in Brazil and Argentina, following reports that Ghost would release new music before their second European leg on the Imperatour. Prior to the second Europe leg, the band announced their fourth EP, Phantomime, a covers EP which was supported by a single of the band's cover of Genesis' "Jesus He Knows Me". The EP was originally set to be released on 18 May 2023, but was postponed to 19 May. Ghost later collaborated with actor Patrick Wilson and released a single of their cover of Shakespears Sister's "Stay", which was released on 7 July 2023 and featured in the 2023 film, Insidious: The Red Door.
On 7 September 2023, the band received its first platinum certification for the single "Mary On A Cross", from their EP, Seven Inches of Satanic Panic. After their performances in South America, the band concluded the Imperatour in October 2023 with three shows in Australia, in which the Brisbane performance on 7 October 2023 was the final show to feature Papa Emeritus IV. Forge later announced on 11 October 2023, that a Ghost movie was in the works, confirming that the Inglewood performances in September 2023 were filmed.
On 1 December 2023, Ghost released a compilation album titled 13 Commandments. This release marked the global release of Meliora Redux's exclusive track "Zenith" via streaming services, whereas before it was only available on physical formats. In an interview with Metal Hammer on 9 December 2023, Forge confirmed that work on the next studio album had begun, stating that a few songs had been written, and later acknowledged in a New Year's message that there was "lots to come" in 2024.
The band published a teaser for the movie on 4 April 2024. Without revealing the movie's title, the teaser depicted Papa Emeritus IV on stage and announced that the movie would be released worldwide soon. Later, the band revealed the film's name, Rite Here Rite Now, which was released on 20 June 2024. A single, "The Future Is a Foreign Land", was released on 21 June 2024, a day after the film was released. The soundtrack for the movie was released on 26 July 2024 through Loma Vista Recordings.
