As a child of the ’80s, I can vividly recall the excitement that the original Ghostbusters franchise brought into my life. The animated series “The Real Ghostbusters” was a staple of my Saturday mornings, and I still remember Slimer with great fondness. It seems that even after all these years, the Ghostbusters continue to haunt our collective consciousness, giving birth to multiple TV shows, films, and other media.
What team will you call during this Halloween season? There’s no denying that the tune from Ray Parker Jr.’s classic song about Ghostbusters will be echoing through many ears. Who wouldn’t love Ghostbusters? The original supernatural comedy premiered in the summer of 1984 and quickly became a sensation. With an impressive cast featuring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis, Ghostbusters raked in almost $300 million at the box office on a “modest” budget of $30 million.
Over time, the Ghostbusters franchise flourished, spreading through sequels, animated series, and an array of related products, earning this Ivan Reitman-directed film a stellar reputation. It’s no surprise that the “Ghostbusters” song became a staple in almost every Halloween playlist. However, one might wonder about the enduring popularity of the Ghostbusters franchise…
In 2015, Sony established Ghost Corps, a production company dedicated to producing ghost-centric movies for the cinema. Initially led by Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd, this studio has produced three distinct “Ghostbusters” projects over the past decade, with more on the horizon. So, how many “Ghostbusters” films have been released? Let’s explore the Ghostbusters world together as we prepare for some ghost-catching action. Remember, there’s no need to be scared!
How many Ghostbusters movies are there in canon?
According to the official Ghostbusters chronology, only four movies make up the series so far. These films primarily focus on the adventures of the original Ghostbusters: Peter Venkman (played by Murray), Egon Spengler (Ramis), Ray Stantz (Aykroyd), and Winston Zeddmore (Ernie Hudson). The 1984 “Ghostbusters” marked the beginning, introducing the world to the concept of evil spirits. After defeating the menacing inter-dimensional being Gozer (Slavitza Jovan) in that film, the team took a break before returning in 1989 for “Ghostbusters II,” where they confronted the spirit of Vigo the Carpathian (Wilhelm von Homburg), ultimately saving New York City once more.
The story of “Ghostbusters” came to a standstill at this juncture, though the animated spin-offs sustained the franchise throughout the ’90s. The original movie series ended its run. However, plans for a third film lingered in limbo for decades until Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis transformed it into “Ghostbusters: The Video Game” in 2009, which some view as the actual follow-up to “Ghostbusters II.” Lately, though, events have shifted this perspective.
In the year 2021, the classic series made a comeback with “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which served as a sequel continuing the legacy and was directed by Jason Reitman, son of the original director Ivan Reitman. This new installment features Egon Spengler’s grandchildren in the lead roles. The original cast members also appeared in “Afterlife,” offering fans a satisfying conclusion following Harold Ramis’ passing in 2014, while setting the stage for a fresh narrative thread. A subsequent film, titled “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and helmed by Gil Kenan, was released in 2024, bringing together both the old and new Ghostbusters in New York City.
Does the Ghostbusters reboot movie count?
If you’re a devoted “Ghostbusters” enthusiast, it’s possible that you spotted a missing scene in the series that forms the official Ghostbusters franchise timeline. In case you remember, the year was 2016 and there was plenty of buzz online about the reboot. Under the direction of Paul Feig, Sony Pictures decided to re-imagine “Ghostbusters”, introducing an all-female team: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon as new characters. The movie also includes appearances by several stars from the original film, playing entirely different roles.
The phrase “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call” didn’t fare too well, putting it mildly. It was a critical and financial flop among viewers. Despite this, only the original films and their sequels are recognized as part of the Ghostbusters franchise’s continuity. This is puzzling because references to the 1984 film are occasionally made in the storyline. To add to the mystery, IDW published a six-issue mini-series called “Ghostbusters 101,” in which both the original and reboot teams join forces as their worlds started blending. This implies that there’s a chance we might see the 2016 team again – who knows what the future holds?
How many Ghostbusters TV shows have there been?
Following the acclaim of the initial “Ghostbusters” movie, the franchise quickly established itself as a well-known entity. To maintain interest, items like action figures, comics, and other goods were produced. However, it was arguably the animated series, “The Real Ghostbusters,” that significantly increased the original Ghostbusters’ popularity, particularly the one that ’80s kids might recall most fondly. Due to a different ’70s TV show called “The Ghost Busters,” the word “real” was incorporated into the cartoon’s title to distinguish it from its predecessor. The animated series, “The Real Ghostbusters,” aired on ABC from 1986 to 1991 for seven seasons, and Slimer eventually became the team’s official mascot.
In the years following the show’s conclusion, ABC revived the Ghostbusters for a spin-off titled “Extreme Ghostbusters”. This installment introduced a fresh (definitely ’90s) crew of ghostbusting heroes under the leadership of Egon Spengler. Regrettably, “Extreme Ghostbusters” ran for only one season. Nonetheless, due to its immense popularity, many fans have deemed “The Real Ghostbusters” as canon, despite minor inconsistencies with the “Ghostbusters” movies. Interestingly, the 2022 video game, “Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed”, has incorporated elements from the cartoon into its official storyline, occurring after the events depicted in “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”.
What’s next for the Ghostbusters franchise?
As a die-hard Ghostbusters fan, I can’t help but marvel at the longevity of this franchise. Over four decades, it has spawned five movies, two cartoons, an abundance of comic books, and numerous video games. Yet, the spirit of the team remains as vibrant as ever. As for what’s coming next, well, it seems like a secret the universe is keeping from us right now. While Ghost Corps has been brainstorming ideas for a “Frozen Empire” sequel, nothing concrete has been revealed yet. And let me tell you, there’s a long list of unrealized Ghostbusters projects that stretch back to when the production company was founded a decade ago. It’s an exciting time to be a fan, with so many possibilities on the horizon!
In 2015, Ghost Corps disclosed that a new animated “Ghostbusters” film was under development, featuring the supernatural entities as the main characters. However, due to the release of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” production was postponed. In 2022, it was confirmed that the project was still progressing. Let’s wait and see if anything materializes. Simultaneously in 2015, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Ivan Reitman announced they were working on another “Ghostbusters” movie. Since then, there has been no further news on this project.
For some time now, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a futuristic TV show called “Ghostbusters: Ecto Force.” However, that project took a backseat following the less-than-stellar debut of “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call.” In 2019, Dan Aykroyd expressed enthusiasm about developing a prequel series centered around the original characters as teenagers, but unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition either. On a brighter note, Ghost Corps and Netflix have teamed up for a fresh 3D animated “Ghostbusters” series that promises to be linked with the ongoing legacy sequels. Here’s to hoping this one finally sees the light of day!
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2024-10-17 21:00