What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGhostbusters
Ivan Reitman · Film · 1984
If you loved Ghostbusters, start with The Real Ghostbusters (Dan Aykroyd, 1986) — a series from the same story. Below: 1 book, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Ghostbusters across media.
What hooked you in Ghostbusters was the way it balances high-stakes supernatural chaos with the dry, relatable camaraderie of a struggling professional team.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Real Ghostbusters
Dan Aykroyd · Series · 1986
Adaptation
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Jason Reitman · Film · 2021
Adaptation
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Gil Kenan · Film · 2024
Books on the same thread
Ghost Story
Peter Straub · Book · 1979
Explores: Guilt, Past Trauma, Revenge.
If the dark, male-bonding dynamic of Ghostbusters resonated with you, this novel provides a more haunting exploration of how shared history and past trauma bind a group of men together.
Series on the same thread
Friends
Marta Kauffman · Series · 1994
Shares a thread with Ghostbusters: Workplace Comedy.
Ghostbusters thrives on the friction of New York life, and this sitcom captures that same spirit of found family navigating the pressures and absurdities of living in the big city.
Ghosts
Mathew Baynton · Series · 2019
Shares 2 threads with Ghostbusters: Supernatural Comedy, Workplace Comedy.
This series mirrors the supernatural workplace comedy of Ghostbusters, trading proton packs for estate management as a couple deals with the comedic headaches of living alongside a house full of ghosts.
30 Rock
Tina Fey · Series · 2006
Shares a thread with Ghostbusters: Workplace Comedy.
The chaotic corporate culture and sharp, New York-centric wit that defined Ghostbusters finds a modern successor in this sitcom, which highlights the absurdity of managing eccentric personalities in a stressful job.
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Explores: Government Experiments, Telekinesis, Monsters.
While darker in tone, this show captures the essential spirit of Ghostbusters by centering on a tight-knit group confronting terrifying supernatural forces that threaten their community through secret government conspiracies.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Bhootbusters Podcast
Desi Studios · Podcast
Explores: Haunted Locations, Indian Folklore, Skepticism.
This podcast channels the entrepreneurial paranormal investigation vibe of Ghostbusters, blending genuine skepticism and cultural folklore with a hilarious, conversational approach to hunting spirits across the Indian landscape.
Ghost Huns
Podcast
Shares a thread with Ghostbusters: Paranormal Comedy.
Just as the characters in Ghostbusters treated the paranormal as a day job, these comedians bring a relatable, humorous perspective to the supernatural, making horror feel like a casual conversation.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the Ghostbusters movies in?
You should start with the original 1984 Ghostbusters directed by Ivan Reitman. Following that, you can continue the story by watching the sequels Ghostbusters: Afterlife, released in 2021, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which was released in 2024.
Is Ghostbusters: Afterlife a direct sequel to the 1984 Ghostbusters?
Yes, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a sequel to the original 1984 film. It builds upon the legacy established when the team of parapsychologists first went into business as ghostbusters to exterminate supernatural pests after losing their academic posts.
Is The Real Ghostbusters based on the 1984 Ghostbusters movie?
The Real Ghostbusters is an animated television adaptation released in 1986. It is based on the premise of the 1984 Ghostbusters film, which follows a team of parapsychologists who start a business to rid the city of ghouls, hobgoblins, and other supernatural entities.
Should I watch Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire if I liked the original Ghostbusters?
If you enjoyed the 1984 Ghostbusters, you should watch Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. It serves as a continuation of the franchise that began when the original team started their business to clear demons from locations like the swanky apartment mentioned in the first film.