In 2024, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire marked the fourth installment in the Ghostbusters original series after the franchise’s modern revival. Meanwhile, the franchise is still going strong, as director Gil Kenan confirmed a sequel to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is in development.
For newcomers to the franchise or those seeking a refresher, this guide will detail where to stream all the Ghostbusters movies and TV shows in order, using services like Netflix, Prime Video, Starz, and more.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Ghostbusters kicked off the franchise in 1984 with director Ivan Reitman at the helm. The film is a supernatural comedy in which four men—Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson)—form the “Ghostbusters” business to eliminate supernatural threats throughout New York.
Ghostbusters was quite unusual for its time, as a comedy with a relatively high budget and special effects. However, the premise works incredibly well, thanks to witty dialogue, the talents of stars Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis, and Hudson, and its on-point humor. The premise is absurd, but also oddly relatable, with its tale of men leaving a restrictive, academic field for something much more exciting. If you love cult horror comedies like Beetlejuice (1988) and Gremlins (1984), Ghostbusters is a must-see.
The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)
Following the success of Ghostbusters, Columbia Pictures Television collaborated with DIC Enterprises to create an animated spin-off series, The Real Ghostbusters. It follows the Ghostbusters on additional adventures throughout New York as their business continues thriving.
Unlike the original film, The Real Ghostbusters is geared more toward children. While featuring the same core characters, it drops the adult humor and language and tones down the ghosts, making them more silly than scary. Hence, it’s an excellent pick for parents wanting to introduce their kids to the beloved franchise without having to worry about inappropriate material. Fans of the films will also enjoy the Ghostbusters lore expansion and the faithful characterization of the lead team.
Ghostbusters II (1989)
Ghostbusters II takes place five years after the original movie and sees the Ghostbusters struggle to continue their business after facing legal challenges for property damage sustained during their work.
Ghostbusters II often gets a bad rap for derailing the franchise as a box office disappointment. Although the sequel doesn’t eclipse the original, it still has its merits. Like The Real Ghostbusters, it’s a bit more family-friendly and accessible to younger audiences. The cast is still as hilarious, witty, and charming as ever, with a decent storyline and a scary villain. Ghostbusters II doesn’t have the same energy as the original and feels a bit familiar, but franchise fans will find it very watchable if they temper their expectations and do not expect something as groundbreaking as the first movie.
Extreme Ghostbusters (1997)
Extreme Ghostbusters is a sequel to The Real Ghostbusters, in which the Ghostbusters have disbanded. When a new ghostly threat arrives, Egon Spengler recruits four college students to be the next generation of Ghostbusters.
Extreme Ghostbusters boasts a unique premise and seems to have hit the nail on the head that passing the baton to the next generation was the way to go with the Ghostbusters' future. In addition to its refreshing story, Extreme Ghostbusters boasts a darker, more mature tone than The Real Ghostbusters, making it more appealing to adolescents and adults. If you’re looking for an animated series that raises nostalgia for Ghostbusters and has a fun bit of edginess to it, Extreme Ghostbusters is an excellent series.
Ghostbusters (2016)
In 2016, Paul Feig and Katie Dippold attempted to reboot the franchise with Ghostbusters (2016), also known as Ghostbusters: Answer the Call. The film follows an all-female Ghostbusters team made up of researchers and engineers as they fight to protect New York from 1,000 ghosts.
Fans who watched the original films specifically for the talents of Murray, Ramis, Aykroyd, and Hudson will likely be disappointed by Ghostbusters (2016). However, those who go into it with an open mind will find it’s an entertaining and nostalgic reboot. Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones make a convincing and laugh-out-loud funny team. The story is smart, the dialogue witty, and it's exciting to see special effects in a contemporary Ghostbusters movie. Viewers looking for a fun, refreshing take on Ghostbusters through a female lens will enjoy the film.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
In 2021, Ghostbusters II finally received a direct sequel with Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The film takes place 32 years after Ghostbusters II and follows Egon’s granddaughter, Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), as she and her family carry on the Ghostbusters legacy.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a worthy installment in the Ghostbusters franchise. Like Extreme Ghostbusters, it passes the baton to the next generation while still involving and maintaining strong ties to the beloved original team. Its spirit and nods to the original will satisfy long-time franchise fans, while the family-friendly tone and exciting new cast will catch newcomers’ attention, too. The film is fun, nostalgic, and a heartfelt tribute to Ramis, appealing to any viewers looking for a family-friendly movie with some whimsical and ghostly elements.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire takes place three years after Ghostbusters: Afterlife and sees the new Ghostbusters team up with the original Ghostbusters to fight an icy threat to New York.
Fans of the franchise eager to see more of Murray, Aykroyd, and Hudson will appreciate that Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire elevates their roles and establishes a fun dynamic between the old and new team members. It’s as nostalgic as ever and allows Grace to further shine as the Spengler successor. However, the film lacks some of that Ghostbusters spirit, and it struggles with originality. Even so, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a fun and action-packed film for families and fans looking for a passable Ghostbusters adventure.
