The first Ghostbusters movie came out in 1984 and became popular quickly. The Ghostbusters franchise, created by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, is still going strong today. It includes four movies and two animated TV shows.
You can watch them in the order they were released or in the order of the events in the story. But here’s the cool part – you don’t have to watch all of them to understand the story as some of the events from certain movies are mentioned in others, so each one can be enjoyed on its own.
Ghostbusters was a big hit in 1984, so Columbia Pictures decided to make a sequel. However, the franchise took a break in the 1990s, but recently; they brought back the original story.
Ghostbusters fans should be happy to know there are more projects on the way! While waiting, if you want to rewatch the movies in the correct order, we have a detailed guide ready for you.
Ghostbusters Movies In Release Order
The Ghostbusters film series started in 1984 and was a big hit. Critics loved the first one because of the engaging story, and great acting. The film was a mix of supernatural stuff and comedy.
It wasn’t just a hit with critics – a lot of people went to see it, making it the second-highest-grossing film of that year. The grand success of the first movie encouraged the makers to drop three more films along with two TV shows.
If you want to watch all the Ghostbusters movies, here’s the order to watch them based on the release date.
- Ghostbusters – June 8, 1984
- Ghostbusters II – June 16, 1989
- Ghostbusters – July 15, 2016
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife – November 9, 2021
Ghostbusters Movies In Chronological Order Of Events
Now, let’s quickly check the order in which the Ghostbusters movies were released. We have also provided a brief description of each movie for people who haven’t watched these movies yet.
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
In 1984, Ivan Reitman produced and directed the initial Ghostbusters movie. Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd wrote the script, and the cast included Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver.
This comedic tale follows three parapsychologists launching a ghost-catching business in New York City. Egon Spengler, Raymond Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, and Dr. Peter Venkman better known as the “Ghostbusters,” are the central characters. Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis also star, with William Atherton, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts in supporting roles.
The plot revolves around Dana’s haunted home, where the Ghostbusters are summoned to deal with an evil spirit named Zuul. Dana, witnessing their paranormal investigation on a TV commercial, seeks their help. When they arrive at her house, Zuul takes control of Dana’s body as a gatekeeper. At the same time, another demon possesses Dana’s neighbor Lewis and claims to be the master.
Ghostbusters received widespread acclaim and became a huge cultural phenomenon. It was a perfect blend of horror, action, and humor. However, the film’s success was fuelled by Murray’s outstanding performance. It grossed $282.2 million in Canada and the United States during its initial theatrical run, ranking as the second-highest-grossing film in both countries in 1984.
If you are in the mood for top-notch comedy with thrilling action scenes, the first Ghostbusters is a must-watch.
2. Ghostbusters II (1989)
After a five-year gap, the sequel to the original Ghostbusters hit the screens. Produced and directed by Ivan Reitman, “Ghostbusters II” featured a screenplay by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd. The cast included Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Annie Potts, Rick Moranis, Sigourney Weaver, and Ernie Hudson.
Set five years post the defeat of Gozer, the original Ghostbusters face legal troubles and are forced to close shop. When a new supernatural threat arises, the team must come together to save the world. Ray Stantz now manages an occult bookshop and Egon Spengler conducts experiments on human emotions in a lab, while Peter Venkman hosts a TV talk show.
Released on 16th June 1989, “Ghostbusters II” received harsh criticism for being a derivative follow-up with a toned-down, family-friendly humor compared to the original. However, critics praised the performances of Moranis and MacNicol.
Despite being anticipated to surpass its predecessor’s earnings, “Ghostbusters II” fell short, making $215.4 million compared to the original’s $282.2 million.
However, the sequel retains the elements that made the first film great in the realm of ghost comedies. The humor remains sharp, the effects are excellent, and the action is impressive. If you enjoyed the first Ghostbusters, this movie is sure to delight.
3. Ghostbusters (2016)
After Ghostbusters II hit theatres in 1989, the third installment faced a prolonged development period. Bill Murray declined to join the project, and the unfortunate passing of Harold Ramis in 2014 further delayed the progress.
Finally hitting screens in 2016, the movie garnered acclaim from critics for its excellent visual effects, cast, and humor. Despite its global box office earnings surpassing $229 million, the film ended up losing over $70 million due to not-so-good audience reviews. With a hefty budget of $144 million, the Ghostbusters reboot stood out as one of the costliest entries in the Ghostbusters franchise.
Titled “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call,” the film centers on the paranormal investigations of a team consisting of Abby Yates, Erin Gilbert, Jillian Holtzmann, and Patty Tolan in New York City. This all-female squad came together after Gilbert’s Ghostbusters book gained widespread attention, leading to her job loss.
The movie features a fresh cast led by Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon. IMDb reviews, however, label it as one of the least favored Ghostbusters films within this film series. Despite the ensemble cast, fans didn’t like “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call” much.
4. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
The fourth installment in the Ghostbusters series, titled “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” serves as a direct continuation of both 1984’s Ghostbusters and 1989’s Ghostbusters II.
Set thirty-two years post the Ghostbusters II events, the plot unfolds as a mother and her kids relocate to a farm in Oklahoma once owned by Egon Spengler. Egon, the estranged father of the single mother, was an original Ghostbusters member.
In July 2019, Jason Reitman disclosed his venture into developing a sequel to the original films, with the cast finalized by September. The filming took three months, running from July to October 2019, and featured Jason Reitman directing and Gil Kenan handling the writing duties. The film stars Finn Wolfhard, Annie Potts, Mckenna Grace, and Carrie Coon.
The cast earned acclaim for their performances, and Reitman’s direction, along with the nostalgic ambiance and respectful homage to Ramis within the film, was well-received. However, criticism centered mostly on the script and excessive fan service. Despite this, the movie grossed $204 million globally, surpassing its $75 million budget.
If you have followed the Ghostbusters series, you must watch “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” It boasts excellent humor, new cast members, and brilliant effects. All these things make this film an exceptional finale to the popular franchise.
Ghostbusters Animated TV Shows
Movies are not the only things released by the Ghostbuster franchise. As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, the franchise has two animated TV shows, and both were over several years ago.
Both shows shared the theme of teamwork. Whether it was the classic team of The Real Ghostbusters or the diverse crew in Extreme Ghostbusters, the message was clear – facing ghosts is a group effort. The characters brought unique skills to the table, blending science, humor, and courage to tackle supernatural challenges. The fanbase for both shows remains strong even years after their original airings. To put it in the right words, it became a gateway for many into the larger Ghostbusters universe.
If you are a hardcore Ghostbuster fan and have watched all four movies, there’s no reason for you to miss the TV shows.
1. The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)
Before the second movie came out, DIC Entertainment and Columbia Pictures Television made an animated spinoff of the first film called The Real Ghostbusters.
This show played on ABC for seven seasons and showed more adventures of Ray, Venkman, Winston, and Spengler. The Real Ghostbusters also had the movie’s secretary, Janine Melnitz, but the original actors didn’t voice their characters in the cartoon.
This show follows the adventures of the original Ghostbusters. Together, they battled spooky specters and slimy creatures. The show mixed humor with eerie encounters, making it a hit among fans of all ages. Each episode brought a new ghostly challenge, showcasing the team’s witty banter and creative gadgets.
2. Extreme Ghostbusters (1997-1997)
The next animated series in the franchise was Extreme Ghostbusters. It came after The Real Ghostbusters and had a new story set a lot of years later.
The focus was on a fresh team of young Ghostbusters, with Spengler leading them. They worked together to catch spooky creatures.
The show ran for only one season but had a total of 40 episodes. It aimed to bring the Ghostbusters legacy to a new generation, maintaining the fun and excitement. With updated technology and diverse characters, “Extreme Ghostbusters” continued the legacy of battling ghosts, proving that busting can be cool for every era!