Last updated on: July 31, 2025
The Ghostbusters franchise has been entertaining audiences for decades with its perfect mix of supernatural thrills, quirky humor, and iconic characters. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original 1984 classic or just catching up with the latest ghost-hunting adventures, you might be wondering: How many Ghostbusters movies are there? From the nostalgic charm of the originals to modern reboots and sequels that pass the proton pack to a new generation, the Ghostbusters universe now spans five feature films. Let’s take a closer look at each of them, one slime-filled step at a time!
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
IMdb Rating: 7.8/10
Alright, let me tell you about this movie called Ghostbusters . It came out way back in 1984. I remember hearing stories about it from my dad—he said it was something special.
The film follows four guys who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. They used to be scientists at a university, but they got kicked out for doing weird stuff. So, what do they do? They grab their gear—like proton packs and ghost traps—and go after ghosts! Sounds wild, right?
One of the main characters is Dr. Peter Venkman, played by Bill Murray. He’s funny and kind of cocky. Then there’s Dr. Raymond Stantz, played by Dan Aykroyd. He’s all excited and into the science part. Harold Ramis plays Dr. Egon Spengler, who doesn’t talk much but knows his stuff. And last but not least, Winston Zeddemore, played by Ernie Hudson, joins later and brings some serious cool to the team.
The movie gets real when they run into a giant marshmallow monster named Stay Puft. Yep, you heard that right—a marshmallow man! Turns out he’s not sweet and soft, he’s scary big and kinda mean. But the Ghostbusters face him head-on.
This story has action, laughs, and just enough spooky moments to keep things interesting. That’s probably why so many people loved it. Back then, it made almost $300 million around the world. That’s a lot of money for the ’80s! Plus, it even got nominated for two Oscars. One of those was for Best Original Song—the catchy “Ghostbusters” tune you might know.
I saw it for the first time a few years ago. Wasn’t sure what to expect. But I ended up really liking it. It’s fun, easy to watch, and you never know what’ll happen next.
Here’s a little extra: The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man wasn’t always supposed to be that huge. The filmmakers thought making him super big would be funnier—and they were right. It worked!
If you haven’t seen Ghostbusters yet, give it a try. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Sometimes it pops up on Netflix or Hulu too, depending where you live.
It’s one of those movies you can watch more than once and still enjoy. Trust me, it’s worth your time.
2. Ghostbusters II (1989)
IMdb Rating: 6.6/10
Let me tell you about Ghostbusters II . It came out in 1989. That’s five years after the first one. The same four stars are back—Bill Murray as Peter, Dan Aykroyd as Ray, Harold Ramis as Egon, and Ernie Hudson as Winston. They’re not all working together at first, though.
After stopping that big marshmallow ghost, folks stopped believing in ghosts. People thought the Ghostbusters were fake. So they split up. But guess what? Ghosts start showing up again.
This time, there’s something strange under New York City. A glowing pink slime starts popping up in weird places. Turns out it feeds off bad feelings—like anger, sadness, fear. And there’s this evil spirit named Vigo the Carpathian trying to take over a painting—and through that, maybe the whole world! He’s creepy, real creepy.
So the team has to get back together. They’ve got to stop Vigo before he breaks free. And here’s the twist—they even get the Statue of Liberty walking around town! I didn’t see that coming.
I liked this movie. It had its spooky parts, sure, but also some good laughs and moments where the team really comes together. Critics didn’t love it quite as much as the first film, but I still think it’s fun. A lot of fans feel the same way. Just like the first one, it made over $200 million. Shows people were happy to see them back.
Here’s a cool bit: The baby in the movie is played by twin brothers. They took turns filming so they wouldn’t get tired. Cute, right?
You can find Ghostbusters II on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Sometimes it shows up on Peacock or Netflix too, depends where you live.
If you liked the first Ghostbusters , you’ll probably enjoy this one just as much. It’s a good time, full of ghosts, laughs, and a statue that walks and helps save the day.
3. Ghostbusters (2016)
IMdb Rating: 6.8/10
Let me tell you about the Ghostbusters movie from 2016. It’s not a sequel, but a fresh start. This time, it’s led by four strong women who hunt ghosts in their own wild way.
Kristen Wiig plays Erin, a smart lady who used to believe in ghosts but tried to forget. Melissa McCarthy is Abby—funny, loud, and full of life. Kate McKinnon plays Jillian, the weird genius kind of like Egon from before. Leslie Jones is Patty, who grew up in New York and knows every corner of the city. And Chris Hemsworth plays Kevin, their silly, not-so-smart receptionist.
It starts with strange things happening again in Manhattan. Ghosts are on the loose. These four come together to find out why. They build their own gear, chase spirits, and end up fighting a huge ghost army. The movie’s got action, laughs, and some cool ghost scenes that’ll make your skin crawl.
I liked how this one felt new. It was good seeing women lead the way—not just being brave, but also smart and funny in their own way. Some folks didn’t like that it wasn’t like the first Ghostbusters . But I thought it was fun and worth watching.
It made around $229 million at the box office. People liked the acting, especially Kate McKinnon and Melissa McCarthy. The visuals were bright and wild too.
Here’s something cool: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and others from the old movies showed up in this one—but playing different roles! It was like a secret gift for fans.
You can watch Ghostbusters (2016) on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Sometimes it pops up on Hulu or Netflix too, depending where you live.
If you want a mix of ghosts, laughs, and something a little different, give this one a try. It’s a fun ride with a new kind of team.
4. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
IMdb Rating: 7.0/10
Let me tell you about Ghostbusters: Afterlife , the 2021 movie that brings old ghosts and new faces together.
This time, it’s about a mom named Callie—played by Carrie Coon—and her two kids, Trevor and Phoebe. They move into a dusty old farmhouse after Callie inherits it from her dad. Turns out, he was Egon Spengler—one of the original Ghostbusters!
The house is full of strange things. Hidden tools. Weird machines. A car that looks like it’s been through a lot. The kids start digging around, and before they know it, they’re knee-deep in ghost traps, Ecto-1, and secrets from the past.
Strange things begin happening in town. Lights flicker. The ground shakes. Something big is coming back. And it’s up to this small family—along with a school teacher played by Paul Rudd—to stop it. They learn how to bust ghosts, work as a team, and uncover what Egon left behind.
What I liked most? It felt like a gift for people who loved the first movies. It’s spooky, sure, but also warm and full of heart. Harold Ramis played Egon in the originals, and his passing hit a lot of us hard. This film honors him in a quiet, powerful way.
It made over $200 million at the box office. Fans really responded to the story—it’s exciting, emotional, and full of surprises. Especially when the original Ghostbusters—Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson—show up on screen. That moment? Pretty special.
Here’s something cool: You don’t have to be a longtime fan to enjoy it. If you like mysteries, family stories, or ghost-hunting gear, this one will grab you.
You can stream Ghostbusters: Afterlife on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Sometimes it’s on Netflix or Sony LIV too, depending where you are.
I watched it late one night. Didn’t expect much, but ended up staying up till morning thinking about it. Give it a try—you might just feel the pull of the past, and the thrill of a new adventure.
5. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
IMdb Rating: 6.1/10
Let me tell you about Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire , the newest one that came out in 2024. It’s full of chills, ghost traps, and a big team of hunters working together.
It picks up where Afterlife left off. Phoebe—played by Mckenna Grace—is back, along with her brother Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), their mom Callie (Carrie Coon), and their teacher Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd). This time, they head to New York City and join forces with the original Ghostbusters. Yep, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson—they’re all there too. Ecto-1 is flying down streets again, and the ghost-hunting business is back open for business.
A strange old artifact shows up, and it’s not just some museum piece. It holds a freezing-cold evil force that wants to turn the whole world into ice. If they don’t stop it, everything—and everyone—could be locked in frost forever.
The new Ghostbusters and the old ones have to work side by side. They use proton packs, traps, and even some new gear to fight ghosts that are colder than winter air. Some look familiar but with a frosty twist—real spooky!
What I liked best was seeing both generations together. It felt like watching family come together to face something huge. The movie’s exciting, has plenty of action, and a few moments that made me feel something real.
Early reviews say it’s a good ride. Not sure yet how much money it made, but fans were pumped to see all the Ghostbusters back in action.
Here’s a cool thing: The filmmakers brought back some classic ghosts from past movies—but gave them icy looks. Like ghosts wearing frozen armor or moving like snowstorms. Real neat to see.
You can watch Frozen Empire on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Soon, it might show up on Netflix or Disney+ Hotstar too, depending where you live.
If you like stories where families team up, hunt ghosts, and save the world—you’ll like this one. I sure did. Turn up the heat, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the chill of the latest Ghostbusters adventure.
From the original 1984 classic to the icy chills of Frozen Empire, the Ghostbusters movies have taken us on a wild, ghost-filled ride through time. Whether you’re into the nostalgia of the originals, the fresh take of the 2016 reboot, or the heart and action of the newer sequels, there’s something for everyone in this ghost-hunting universe. So, which Ghostbusters movie is your favorite? Did you grow up with the originals, or are you just discovering the franchise now? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear from fellow fans and ghostbusters-in-training! 👻💬
