Where to start withGhostbusters
4 versions · originally a film, 1984
Themes: Found Family, Underdog Story, Entrepreneurship, Man vs. Supernatural, New York City as Character.
Start with Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984) — the film. Ghostbusters exists in 4 versions across media, beginning as a film in 1984; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Ghostbusters is a comedic supernatural franchise centered on blue-collar scientists battling spectral entities with specialized, high-tech proton equipment.
✦ Most fans start here
Ghostbusters (1984)
The original movie
✦ Start hereGhostbusters
Ivan Reitman · Film · 1984
Ghostbusters (1984) is the definitive cinematic foundation, perfectly blending dry, improvisational adult humor with iconic practical effects to establish the franchise's unique tone of comedic paranormal extermination.
1986 series
The Real Ghostbusters
Dan Aykroyd · Series · 1986
The Real Ghostbusters (1986) serves as a vibrant, stylized expansion of the core characters, offering an episodic animated format that leans into imaginative creature designs and expanded supernatural lore.
2021 film
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Jason Reitman · Film · 2021
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) pivots to a nostalgic, character-driven adventure that bridges the gap between generations, focusing on the legacy of the original team through a grounded, family-oriented mystery.
2024 film
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Gil Kenan · Film · 2024
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) functions as a high-stakes, ensemble-heavy spectacle, uniting the original cast with modern recruits to confront a global threat, prioritizing large-scale action and expansive supernatural mythology.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Ghostbusters movies in?
You should start with the original Ghostbusters from 1984. Following that, you can watch the modern sequels in chronological order of their release, which are Ghostbusters: Afterlife from 2021 and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire from 2024.
Is The Real Ghostbusters related to the 1984 Ghostbusters movie?
Yes, The Real Ghostbusters is an animated television series that premiered in 1986. It is based on the characters and premise established in the original 1984 film Ghostbusters, continuing the adventures of the team in a different format.
How long after the original Ghostbusters was Ghostbusters: Afterlife released?
Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released in 2021, which is thirty-seven years after the original Ghostbusters movie debuted in 1984. This film serves as a direct follow-up to the events depicted in the first two films of the franchise.
Should I watch Ghostbusters: Afterlife before Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?
Yes, you should watch Ghostbusters: Afterlife before viewing Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the 2024 sequel that continues the story and character arcs established in the 2021 film Ghostbusters: Afterlife.