Ghostbusters (franchise)#Comics/manga

File:Ecto 1 - Wheels 2008.jpg – Cadillac Miller-Meteor]]

The Ghostbusters use a specialized set of equipment in the 1984 film, and all subsequent Ghostbusters fiction includes similar equipment to aid in the capture and containment of ghosts. Their equipment includes proton packs, used to subdue ghosts; ghost traps, used to capture ghosts; and P.K.E. meters, handheld devices used to detect psychokinetic energy. In addition to the main technology used in the series, a script draft for Ghostbusters III includes the Ghostbusters developing a machine to transport themselves to an alternate Manhattan to save New York.{{cite web |date=May 16, 2006 |title=Ramis on Ghostbusters 3 |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/708/708806p1.html |work=IGN |access-date=August 15, 2007}}

{{main|Ectomobile}}

{{anchor|Storyline continuity}}

| rowspan="2" | Ivan Reitman

| rowspan="2" | Dan Aykroyd & Harold Ramis

| rowspan="3" | Ivan Reitman

|-

| style="text-align:left" | Ghostbusters II

| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1989|06|16|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left" | Ghostbusters: Afterlife

| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2021|11|19|}}

| Jason Reitman

| rowspan="2" | Gil Kenan & Jason Reitman

|-

| style="text-align:left" | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2024|03|22|}}

| Gil Kenan

| Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman & Jason Blumenfeld

|-

| style="text-align:left" | Untitled Ghostbusters sequel{{cite web |last=Milheim |first=Russ|title= Ghostbusters Director Confirms Future Movies Are In the Works (Exclusive) |url=https://thedirect.com/article/ghostbusters-future-movies-exclusive |website=The Direct|date=October 10, 2024|access-date=October 10, 2024}}

| {{TBA}}

| {{TBA}}

| {{TBA}}

| {{TBA}}

|-

! colspan="5" style="width:10px; background-color:#ccccff;" | Reboot

|-

| style="text-align:left" | Ghostbusters

| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2016|07|15|}}

| Paul Feig

| Paul Feig & Katie Dippold

| Amy Pascal & Ivan Reitman

|}

{{Main|Ghostbusters{{!}}Ghostbusters}}

Ghostbusters, the first film in the series, is a 1984 sci-fi comedy film about three New York City scientists. After they are fired from Columbia University, they start their own business investigating and capturing ghosts. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts, and Ernie Hudson, it was released in the United States on June 8, 1984. It had been made on a {{USD|30 million}} budget, but it grossed approximately {{USD|240 million}} in the United States and over {{USD|50 million}} abroad during its theatrical run, more than the domestic gross of the second Indiana Jones installment, making it the most successful film in America that year (after re-releases), and one of the most successful comedies of the 1980s. The American Film Institute ranked it 28th in its list of the top 100 comedies of all time.{{cite web |url=http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/laughs.aspx |title=AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs |access-date=December 11, 2006 |publisher=American Film Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208043102/http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/laughs.aspx |archive-date=December 8, 2006 |url-status=dead}} IGN voted Ghostbusters the greatest comedy ever in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/674/674712p5.html |title=Top 25 Comedies of All-Time |access-date=December 11, 2006 |website=IGN |last=Carle |first=Chris |date=December 9, 2005}} The TV Channel Bravo ranked Ghostbusters number 28 on their 100 Funniest Movies list in 2006.{{cite news |url=http://boards.boston.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&tsn=1&tid=231&webtag=bc-movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018005734/http://boards.boston.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&tsn=1&tid=231&webtag=bc-movies |archive-date=October 18, 2007 |title=Bravo's 100 Funniest Films |access-date=December 11, 2006 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |last1=Cammorata |first1=Nicole |last2=Duffy |first2=James}}

{{Main|Ghostbusters II{{!}}Ghostbusters II}}

The second film, Ghostbusters II, was released on June 16, 1989. Taking place five years after the first, the Ghostbusters have lost their credibility due to the amount of property damage they have caused, but identify a new threat to New York City after discovering a river of ectoplasmic slime that reacts to the great deal of negative emotions within the city. Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis, Hudson, Weaver, Potts, and Moranis reprised their roles from the first film, and were joined by Peter MacNicol and Wilhelm von Homburg, among others. After the success of the first film and the animated series The Real Ghostbusters, Columbia Pictures pressed the producers to make a sequel. Aykroyd, Ramis, and Reitman were uncomfortable with this at first, as the original film was intended to be conclusive and they wished to work on other projects. Eventually, they agreed and created a script. The sequel earned {{USD|215 million}} off a {{USD|37 million}} budget, but received lukewarm reviews compared to the first film.

{{main|Ghostbusters: Afterlife{{!}}Ghostbusters: Afterlife}}

The third film, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, was released on November 19, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-release-date-summer-1234812430/ |title='Ghostbusters' Sequel Moves to Summer 2021 |website=Variety |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020}} Taking place thirty-two years after the second, the Ghostbusters have disbanded and their legacy is mostly forgotten. A single mother and her children move to an Oklahoma farm they inherited from her estranged father, Egon Spengler, who went on a mission to prevent an apocalypse. The film was directed by Jason Reitman, son of original director Ivan Reitman, with a script co-written by himself and Gil Kenan, while Ivan Reitman served as a producer. The cast includes Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd,{{cite magazine|title=First Look at Ghostbusters: Afterlife |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/ghostbusters-afterlife-first-look |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=December 6, 2019|access-date=December 8, 2019}}{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-carrie-coon-finn-wolfhard-talks-star-sequel-1191811 | title = 'Ghostbusters': Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard in Talks to Star | first = Mia | last = Galuppo | date = March 1, 2019 | access-date = March 29, 2019 | work = The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mckenna-grace-star-jason-reitmans-ghostbusters-1198214|title='Captain Marvel' Actress Mckenna Grace Nabs Starring Role in Jason Reitman's 'Ghostbusters'|first=Borys|last=Kit|date=March 29, 2019|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/paul-rudd-jason-reitmans-ghostbusters-1203236578/|title=Paul Rudd Joins 'Ghostbusters 2020' (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=June 27, 2019|work=Variety}} and were joined by Logan Kim and Celeste O'Connor, among others. Additionally, Murray, Aykroyd, Hudson, Potts and Weaver appear in supporting roles, reprising their characters from the first two films. The film received mixed to positive reviews, but was a commercial success, earning $204 million on a $75 million budget.

{{main|Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire{{!}}Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire}}

{{anchor|Ghostbusters: Firehouse}}{{anchor|Firehouse}}

The fourth film, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, was released on March 22, 2024. Taking place three years after the third, the Spengler family decide to leave Summerville, Oklahoma, and go back to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – and help the original Ghostbusters, who have developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.{{Cite web |title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire |url=https://www.sonypictures.co.uk/movies/ghostbusters-frozen-empire |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=www.sonypictures.co.uk}} The film was directed by Gil Kenan, with a script co-written by himself and Jason Reitman, while Reitman served as a producer. Grace, Wolfhard, Coon, Rudd, Kim and O'Connor reprise their roles from Afterlife, and were joined by Kumail Nanjiani, and Patton Oswalt, among others. Murray, Aykroyd, Hudson, Potts and Atherton appear in supporting roles, reprising their characters from the previous films. The film received mixed to positive reviews, and earned $201 million on a $100 million budget.

{{Main|Ghostbusters (2016 film){{!}}Ghostbusters (2016 film)}}

The 2016 film, Ghostbusters, is a relaunch of the franchise which takes place in an alternate universe,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UWbASEi7_o|work=YouTube|title=Sony develops the world's first ghost catching device - The Proton Pack™|author=Sony Pictures|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=November 11, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-multiverse-explained-gozer-cross-streams-why-consequence/|work=Screen Rant|title=The Ghostbusters Crossing Streams Created Their Franchise's Multiverse |last=Mollo |first=Drew|date=October 16, 2021|access-date=November 11, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/ghostbusters-proton-pack-video-dr-egon-spengler/|work=MovieWeb|title=Ghostbusters Reboot Video Reveals Dr. Egon Spengler Still Exists |last=Orange |first=B. Alan |date=March 31, 2016|access-date=November 11, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-proton-pack-viral-video-released/|work=ComicBook.com|title=Ghostbusters Proton Pack Viral Video Released |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=September 6, 2017|access-date=November 11, 2021}} featuring a new cast of characters, but follows a similar narrative as the original film. A group of eccentric researchers make discoveries within paranormal incidents with their intentions being to detect and capture ghosts, and protect New York City from those spirits. The film principally features a new cast, starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon as the all-female Ghostbuster team, along with Chris Hemsworth as their male receptionist.{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/02/paul-feig-ghostbusters_n_5644486.html |title=Paul Feig Reportedly In Talks To Direct Female-Centered 'Ghostbusters' Reboot |last=Whitney |first=Erin |work=The Huffington Post |date=August 2, 2014 |access-date=August 2, 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/chris-hemsworth-joins-ghostbusters-reboot-801718 |title=Chris Hemsworth Joins 'Ghostbusters' Reboot as Receptionist |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=June 10, 2015}} Additionally, Aykroyd, Murray, Weaver, Hudson, and Potts all had small cameo roles. The film was released on July 15, 2016, as Ghostbusters, with the home media released being rebranded to Ghostbusters: Answer the Call.{{cite web |url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/nope-ghostbusters-has-not-suddenly-gotten-a-new-title-1786062339/ |title=Nope, Ghostbusters Did Not Suddenly Get a New Title |first=Germain |last=Lussier |publisher=Io9 |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2017}} It received mixed reviews, and grossed {{USD|229 million}} off a {{USD|144 million}} budget, after accounting for marketing, a $70 million loss.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ghostbusters-box-office-loss-sequel-unlikely-918515/ |title='Ghostbusters' Heading for $70M-Plus Loss, Sequel Unlikely |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=August 10, 2016}}

In October 2015, Ivan Reitman announced that he was producing an animated film for Sony Pictures Animation, with Fletcher Moules attached to the project as both animator and director.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-animated-movie-works-828766 |title='Ghostbusters' Animated Movie in the Works |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=October 1, 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ghostbusters-animated-movie-snares-clash-862537 |title='Ghostbusters' Animated Movie Snares 'Clash of Clans' Commercial Director (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=March 8, 2016}} The film will tell a story from the perspective of ghosts.{{cite web|title=Ghostbusters Animated Movie is Told From a Ghost's Perspective|url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-animated-movie-plot-ghost/|website=Screen Rant|access-date=August 3, 2018|date=October 3, 2017}} The film would begin production following the completion and release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The project was reconfirmed in June 2022, with Jennifer Kluska and Chris Prynoski as directors and Brenda Hsueh as the writer of the film.{{cite web|last1=Sneider|first1=Jeff|title='Ghostbusters' Animated Movie Featuring New Characters Announced by Sony|url=https://collider.com/ghostbusters-animated-movie-new-characters/|publisher=Collider|access-date=June 10, 2022 |date=June 8, 2022}} In December 2024, it was announced that Kris Pearn would serve as director, with the project set to release on Netflix.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/ghostbusters-animated-movie-in-the-works-sony-animation-netflix-1236210507/|title=‘Ghostbusters’ Animated Movie In The Works From Sony Animation And Netflix|first=Justin|last=Kroll|website=Deadline|date=December 19, 2024|access-date=December 24, 2024}}

In December 2014, the Sony Pictures hack revealed that an action comedy spin-off film, centered around another team of Ghostbusters was in development. Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin, and the Russo brothers pitched the movie to the studio, and was confirmed to supplement and be in development simultaneously with Paul Feig's Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, and intended to be the first installment in a series of films inspired by Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy. Tatum was being courted to star in the film, with Chris Pratt viewed as his potential co-star.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-channing-tatum-chris-pratt/|work=Screen Rant|title='Ghostbusters' Spinoff Starring Chris Pratt & Channing Tatum Planned By Sony? [Updated]|last=Dyce|first=Andrews|date=December 15, 2014|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215073548/https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-channing-tatum-chris-pratt/|url-status=dead}} By March 2015, the film was officially confirmed to be in active-development. Written by Drew Pearce, the film was seen as an expansion of the Ghostbusters multiverse. Ivan Reitman described its development as being in line with the plans and production bible that they had created thirty years prior during the original film; the purpose of the project was "to build the Ghostbusters into the universe it always promised it might become". Joe and Anthony Russo were in early negotiations to direct the film. Ivan Reitman, the Russo brothers, Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin, and Peter Kiernan were to serve as producers.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/ghostbusters-channing-tatum-joe-and-anthony-russo-drew-pearce-ivan-reitman-dan-aykroyd-1201388917/|work=Deadline Hollywood|title=Sony Plans New 'Ghostbusters' Film With Russo Brothers, Channing Tatum & 'IM3' Scribe Drew Pearce|author=Fleming, Mike Jr.|date=March 9, 2015|access-date=February 15, 2022}} By June however, Tatum confirmed that the project had been delayed in favor of other projects.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/channing-tatum-male-ghostbusters-reboot-gi-joe/|work=Screen Rant|title=Channing Tatum Offers Male 'Ghostbusters' Update; 'Hates' 'G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra'|last=Kendrick|first=Ben|date=June 23, 2015|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215073259/https://screenrant.com/channing-tatum-male-ghostbusters-reboot-gi-joe/|url-status=dead}}

In February 2022, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller announced that they had been attached to the project during its development stages, also saying that there is still potential at the studio that the film will be green-lit in the future.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/phil-lord-chris-miller-developed-ghostbusters-ivan-reitman-channing-tatum-chris-pratt/|work=CinemaBlend|title=Phil Lord and Chris Miller Confirm They Developed a New Ghostbusters With Ivan Reitman |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron|date=February 4, 2020|access-date=February 14, 2022}}

In February 2024, Kenan revealed that ideas for multiple future films in the Ghostbusters franchise had been discussed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ghostbusters-future-frozen-empire-exclusive/|title=Ghostbusters 4 cast and director already have ideas for more sequels: "We know what the next stories are going to be"|website=GamesRadar+|first1=Adam|last1=Tanswell|first2=Emily|last2=Murray|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228215236/https://www.gamesradar.com/ghostbusters-future-frozen-empire-exclusive/|archive-date=February 28, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-sequel-ideas-cast-crew-franchise-future/|title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cast and Crew Already Have More Sequel Plans in Mind|website=ComicBook|first=Charlie|last=Ridgely|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228215242/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-sequel-ideas-cast-crew-franchise-future/#1|archive-date=February 28, 2024}} Kenan specifically mentioned the Mini-Pufts storyline as something he and Reitman would like to expand upon. The Mini-Pufts are featured in the film's post-credits scene.{{cite magazine|first=Emlyn|last=Travis|title=Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director says Mini-Pufts have 'way more story to tell' after post-credits scene|date=March 22, 2024|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-ending-explainer-mini-puft-post-credits-scene-8610860}}

In October 2024, Kenan confirmed that a sequel to Frozen Empire was in the works.

{{Main|The Real Ghostbusters}}

From 1986 to 1991, Columbia Pictures Television and DIC Entertainment produced an animated spin-off television series created by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, entitled The Real Ghostbusters. "The Real" was added to the title due to a dispute with Filmation and its Ghostbusters properties.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=5561 |first=Lou |last=Scheimer |title=A Candid Conversation with Filmation's Founder, by R.J. Carter |publisher=The-Trades.com |access-date=June 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423051330/http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=5561 |archive-date=April 23, 2008}} The series continues the adventures of paranormal investigators Venkman, Stantz, Spengler, Zeddemore, their secretary Melnitz, and their mascot ghost Slimer. The Real Ghostbusters was nominated for an Emmy.{{cite web |date=July 24, 2002 |title=Featured Filmmaker: Ivan Reitman |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/365/365755p1.html |work=IGN |access-date=August 13, 2007}} At the start of the fourth season in 1988, the show was retitled to Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters. It aired in a one-hour time slot, which the show had begun doing under its original name earlier that same year on January 30, 1988.{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1988 |title=TV Listings |work=Daily News |location=New York City, New York}} In addition to the regular 30-minute Real Ghostbusters episode, a half-hour Slimer! sub-series was added that included two to three short animated segments focusing on the character Slimer. Animation for the Slimer! cartoons was handled by Wang Film Productions. At the end of its seven-season run, 147 episodes had aired, including the syndicated episodes and 13 episodes of Slimer!, with multiple episodes airing out of production order.{{Cite AV media notes |title=The Real Ghostbusters Complete Collection |type=Booklet |publisher=Direct Holdings Americas, Columbia Pictures Television |location=Fairfax, Virginia |id=80083-Z |year=2008}}

{{Main|Extreme Ghostbusters}}

Extreme Ghostbusters was a sequel and spin-off of The Real Ghostbusters that aired in late 1997.{{Cite book |last=Perlmutter |first=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=491–493}} The 40-episode series initially aired on the syndicated Bohbot Kids Network's "Extreme Block", and featured a team of college-aged Ghostbusters led by veteran Ghostbuster Egon Spengler.{{Cite book |last=Erickson |first=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |edition=2nd |pages=653–654}} In some TV listings, the series was called Ghostbusters Dark.{{Cite book |title=The Complete SFX Guide to Ghostbusters |year=2014 |page=190 |chapter=Extreme Makeover}}

In June 2016, a new animated series titled, Ghostbusters: Ecto Force, was announced to be in development, with an initial targeted release of early-2018. The series was to be set in the year 2050, following a new team of Ghostbusters who capture ghosts from around the world.{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |title=Sony Unveils Plans for Animated 'Spider-Man' and 'Emojimovie: Express Yourself' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sony-unveils-plans-animated-spider-904574 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 20, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}} In August 2017, Reitman revealed that the series had been postponed to prioritize development on the planned Ghostbusters animated spin-off film.{{cite web |author1=Takao |title=Ghostbusters: Ecto Force postponed for new film |url=http://www.toonbarn.com/other-cartoons/ghostbusters-ecto-force-postponed-animated-feature/ |website=ToonBarn |access-date=August 16, 2017 |date=August 7, 2017 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324001954/http://www.toonbarn.com/other-cartoons/ghostbusters-ecto-force-postponed-animated-feature |url-status=dead}}

An animated streaming television series by Netflix was announced in June 2022. The series will be produced by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, both who produced Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and as a production of Ghost Corps and Sony Pictures Animation.{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2022/06/ghostbusters-animated-series-works-netflix-jason-reitman-gil-kenan-1235040682/ | title = Ghostbusters' Animated Series In Works At Netflix | first= Denise | last = Petski | date = June 8, 2022 | access-date = June 8, 2022 | work = Deadline Hollywood}} Writing for the series had begun by March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Bate |first=Josh |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Netflix's Ghostbusters Animated Series Gets Exciting Update From Frozen Empire Director |url=https://www.cbr.com/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-director-netflix-animated-series/ |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=CBR |language=en}} In August 2024, the series was greenlit at Netflix with Elliott Kalan joining as writer and executive producer and was revealed to be CG animated with its tone being expected to be similar to Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/ghostbusters-netflix-animated-series-elliott-kalan-showrunner-1236103988/|title=Netflix Greenlights ‘Ghostbusters’ Animated Series, Taps Elliott Kalan as Executive Producer (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Joe|last=Otterson|website=Variety|date=August 12, 2024}}

In May 2019, Aykroyd said that he wrote a prequel script with the production title of Ghostbusters High, and that there are two follow-up projects to Ghostbusters: Afterlife in development. The prequel will explore New Jersey during 1969, when the primary characters first met as teenagers. The project is being considered alternatively for a television series, with Jason Reitman involved with its development. Aykroyd stated that he envisions the project as "a perfect button on all [the filmmakers have] done up to that point".{{Cite web|url=https://www.660citynews.com/2019/05/17/aykroyd-eyes-making-ghostbusters-prequel-for-as-little-as-we-can-spend/|title=Aykroyd eyes making 'Ghostbusters' prequel - for 'as little as we can spend' - 660 NEWS|website=www.660citynews.com}}

{{main|List of Ghostbusters characters}}

{{Cast indicator|appeared=multiple installments in the franchise|A|C|L||U|V}}

• {{Cast indicator/note|model|M|a model with the actor or actress's likeness served as a body double}}
• {{Cast indicator/note|likeness|L|the actor or actress lent only their likeness for the film}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|-

! rowspan="3" | Character

! colspan="5" | Original film series

! colspan="2" | Animated series

! colspan="3" | Video games

! Reboot

|-

! Ghostbusters

! Ghostbusters II

! Ghostbusters:
Afterlife

! Ghostbusters:
Frozen Empire

! Untitled Ghostbusters sequel

! The Real Ghostbusters

! Extreme Ghostbusters

! Ghostbusters:
The Video Game

! Ghostbusters:
Spirits Unleashed

! Ghostbusters:
Rise of the Ghost Lord

! Ghostbusters:
Answer the Call

|-

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|1984}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|1989}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2021}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2024}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|TBA}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|1986–1991}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|1997}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2009}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2022}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2023}}

! style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2016}}

|-

! colspan="12" style="background-color:#ccccff;"|

|-

! Dr. Peter Venkman

| colspan="4" | Bill Murray

| rowspan="2" {{TBA}}

| Lorenzo Music{{ref|voice|V}}

| Dave Coulier{{ref|voice|V}}

| Bill Murray{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Dr. Raymond "Ray" Stantz

| colspan="4" | Dan Aykroyd

| colspan="2" | Frank Welker{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="3" | Dan Aykroyd{{ref|voice|V}}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3798015/slimer-arrives-in-ghostbusters-rise-of-the-ghost-lord-as-part-of-third-free-content-update-slimer-hunt-trailer/|title=Slimer Arrives in 'Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord' as Part of Third Free Content Update "Slimer Hunt" [Trailer]|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=Mike|last=Wilson|date=January 31, 2024|access-date=January 31, 2024}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Dr. Egon Spengler

| colspan="2" | Harold Ramis

| Harold Ramis{{ref|likeness|L}}

| {{N/A|Harold Ramis}}{{ref|archive|A}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Maurice LaMarche{{ref|voice|V}}

| Harold Ramis{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| {{N/A|Bronze head bust}}

|-

! Dr. Winston Zeddemore

| colspan="4" | Ernie Hudson

| rowspan="10" {{TBA}}

| Arsenio Hall{{ref|voice|V}}

| Buster Jones{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="2" | Ernie Hudson{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Janine Melnitz

| colspan="4" | Annie Potts

| Laura Summer{{ref|voice|V}}

| Pat Musick{{ref|voice|V}}

| Annie Potts{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Dana Barrett-Venkman

| colspan="2" | Sigourney Weaver

| {{N/A|Sigourney Weaver}}{{ref|cameo|C}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="6" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Louis Tully

| colspan="2" | Rick Moranis

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Roger Bumpass{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Phoebe Spengler

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Mckenna Grace

| colspan="6" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Trevor Spengler

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Finn Wolfhard

| colspan="6" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Podcast

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Logan Kim

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3805401/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-content-coming-to-ghostbusters-rise-of-the-ghost-lord-on-march-28/|title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Content Coming to 'Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord' on March 28|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=Mike|last=Wilson|date=March 22, 2024|access-date=March 22, 2024}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Lucky Domingo

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Celeste O'Connor

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Callie Spengler

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Carrie Coon

| colspan="6" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Gary Grooberson

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Paul Rudd

| colspan="6" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="12" style="background-color:#ccccff;"|

|-

! Mayor Lenny Clotch

| colspan="2" | David Margulies

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Aron Kincaid{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Mayor Walter Peck

| William Atherton

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| William Atherton

| {{TBA}}

| Neil Ross{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| William Atherton{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Roger Delacorte

| John Rothman

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| John Rothman{{ref|cameo|C}}

| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Nadeem Razmaadi

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Kumail Nanjiani

| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Dr. Lars Pinfield

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| James Acaster

| {{TBA}}

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Dr. Hubert Wartzki

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Patton Oswalt

| colspan="8" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="12" style="background-color:#ccccff;"|

|-

! Slimer

| colspan="2" | Ivan Reitman{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3796551/heres-a-nice-clear-image-of-slimers-return-in-ghostbusters-frozen-empire/|title=Here's a Nice Clear Image of Slimer's Return in 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire'!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=January 18, 2024|access-date=January 31, 2024}}

| rowspan="2" {{TBA}}

| Frank Welker{{ref|voice|V}}

| Billy West{{ref|voice|V}}

| Ivan Reitman{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="2" {{cGuest|Appeared}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.meta.com/blog/quest/ghostbusters-rise-ghost-lord-sony-ndreams-vr-slimer/|title=Who You Gonna Call? 'Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord' Now Available on Meta Quest|website=Meta|author=Meta Quest Blog|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=November 9, 2023}}

| Adam Ray{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

! Stay Puft Marshmallow Man

| Bill Bryan

| {{cEmpty}}

| Sarah Natochenny{{ref|voice|V}}{{ref|uncredited|U}}

| Shelby Young{{ref|voice|V}}{{ref|uncredited|U}}

| Frank Welker{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| {{N/A|Parade balloon}}

|-

! Zuul

| Sigourney Weaver

| {{cEmpty}}

| Carrie Coon

| colspan="8" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Vinz Clortho

| Rick Moranis

| {{cEmpty}}

| Paul Rudd

| colspan="8" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Gozer the Gozerian

| Slavitza Jovan

| {{cEmpty}}

| Olivia Wilde{{ref|uncredited|U}}{{Cite web|date=November 22, 2021|title=The Day Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson Became Ghostbusters Again|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-ending|access-date=November 22, 2021|website=Vanity Fair|language=en-US}}

| colspan="8" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Eleanor Twitty

| Ruth Oliver

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3797671/ghostbusters-frozen-empire-new-trailer-delivers-all-the-nostalgic-fun-of-classic-ghostbusters/|title='Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' – New Trailer Delivers All the Nostalgic Fun of Classic 'Ghostbusters'!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=January 29, 2024|access-date=January 31, 2024}}

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! List of Ghostbusters characters#Mooglie

| colspan="4" {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| {{TBA}}

| Jesse D. Goins{{ref|voice|V}}{{ref|uncredited|U}}{{efn|In the episode "The Copycat", Goins provides the voice of Copycat, a shape-shifting ghost who briefly takes the form of Mooglie.}}

| colspan="4" {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| Neil Casey{{efn|Neil Casey portrays Rowan North, an occultist and supernatural enthusiast who takes the form of Mooglie as a ghost.}}

|-

! Vigo the Carpathian

| {{cEmpty}}

| Wilhelm von Homburg

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Painting}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| Max von Sydow{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Painting}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Ivo Shandor

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| J. K. Simmons{{ref|cameo|C}}

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| Brian Doyle-Murray{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Muncher

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Josh Gad{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Bug-Eye Ghost

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Frank Welker{{ref|voice|V}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Garraka

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Gil Kenan{{ref|voice|V}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bkmag.com/2024/03/26/watch-ghostbusters-puts-coney-island-on-ice/|title=Watch: ‘Ghostbusters’ puts Coney Island on ice|website=Brooklyn Magazine|first=Joshua|last=Encinias|date=March 26, 2024|access-date=July 18, 2024|archive-date=July 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718174154/https://www.bkmag.com/2024/03/26/watch-ghostbusters-puts-coney-island-on-ice/|url-status=live}}

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Melody

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Emily Alyn Lind

| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Samhain

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| Bill Martin

| {{cGuest|Appeared}}

| {{cEmpty}}

| Ryan Colt Levy

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|}

The concept of the first film was inspired by Dan Aykroyd's own fascination with the paranormal (and a history of parapsychology in his own family), and it was conceived by Aykroyd as a vehicle for himself and friend and fellow Saturday Night Live alum John Belushi.{{cite book |last1=Aykroyd |first1=Dan |last2=Ramis |first2=Harold |last3=Shay |first3=Don |title=Making Ghostbusters: The Screenplay |date=1985 |publisher=New York Zoetrope |location=New York |isbn=0918432685}}{{Page needed|date=May 2017}}

The original story as written by Aykroyd was much more ambitious, and unfocused, than what would be eventually filmed; in Aykroyd's original vision, a group of Ghostbusters would travel through time, space and other dimensions taking on huge ghosts (of which the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man was just one of many). Also, the Ghostbusters wore SWAT-like outfits and used Proton Packs to fight the ghosts; Ghostbusters storyboards show them wearing riot squad–type helmets with movable transparent visors.A Ghostbusters 1 and 2 DVD pack included a 28-page booklet of copies of Ghostbusters storyboards. The original draft of the script written by Aykroyd was very large, compared to a "phone book" by director Ivan Reitman.{{cite web |date=September 29, 2003 |title=Featured Filmmaker: Dan Aykroyd |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/452/452080p1.html |work=IGN |access-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124021902/http://movies.ign.com/articles/452/452080p1.html |archive-date=January 24, 2007 |url-status=dead}}

Aykroyd pitched his story to director and producer Ivan Reitman, who liked the basic idea but immediately saw the budgetary impossibilities demanded by Aykroyd's first draft. At Reitman's suggestion, the story was given a major overhaul, eventually evolving into the final screenplay which Aykroyd and Harold Ramis finalised during a few months in a Martha's Vineyard bomb shelter, according to Ramis on the DVD commentary track for the movie.{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}} When Belushi died from a drug overdose, Aykroyd and Reitman eventually turned to Bill Murray to replace Belushi's role. Belushi's likeness was later used as the starting design for Slimer.

Ghostbusters was a box office hit, prompting Columbia Pictures to produce an animated series based on the film, The Real Ghostbusters (renamed to avoid a conflict with Filmation's existing cartoon, Ghostbusters), as well as to seek out a sequel. Aykroyd and Ramis had not been conformable with a sequel, believing the first film was meant to be self-contained, but eventually agreed.{{cite news|title= Ghostly Movie|work= The Los Angeles Times|date=May 17, 1987|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-17-ca-380-story.html|access-date=November 8, 2010|first=Leonard|last=Klady}}

A second sequel to Ghostbusters had been of interest to Aykroyd and Ramis over the course of the 1990s. During this period Aykroyd wrote a script for a potential third film in the series, titled Ghostbusters III: Hellbent.{{cite web |url=https://www.collider.com/2009/12/29/could-ghostbusters-3-start-filming-this-summer/ |title=Could Ghostbusters 3 Start Filming This Summer? |first=Jeffrey |last=Van Camp |date=December 29, 2009 |website=Collider |access-date=December 30, 2009 |archive-date=January 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113204818/http://www.collider.com/2009/12/29/could-ghostbusters-3-start-filming-this-summer/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-3-iii-bill-murray-venkman-died-dan-aykroyd-hellbent-script | title = Bill Murray's Peter Venkman Died in the Original Ghostbusters 3 and More Details From Dan Aykroyd's Unfilmed Hellbent Script | first = Matt | last= Fowler | date = April 18, 2020 | access-date = April 22, 2020 | work = IGN}} The concept had the characters transported to an alternate version of Manhattan called Manhellton, where the people and places are "hellish" versions of their originals and where the Ghostbusters meet the devil (a modified version of this script was later used in Ghostbusters: The Video Game). At the time, Aykroyd and Ramis stated that while there was interest from Columbia Pictures, they were reluctant to move forward, as Murray had become less interested in the project, Reitman had stepped aside to let them (Aykroyd and Ramis) lead the discussions, and by this time Ramis was more interested in directing films than acting in them.{{cite magazine | url = https://ew.com/ew/daily/0,2514,1121,whoyougonnacast.html | title = Who You Gonna Cast? | first = Josh | last = Walk | date = February 19, 1999 | magazine = Entertainment Weekly | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000511074824/https://ew.com/ew/daily/0,2514,1121,whoyougonnacast.html | archive-date = May 11, 2000}} To deal with potential actor changes, the script was designed around introducing a new, younger cast serving as the starring roles, while the original cast members would return in supporting roles, with the exception of Peter (Murray) having died off screen. This was framed to have the new Ghostbusters help Ray, Egon, and Winston with their struggling business after Peter had left to be with Dana; ultimately, Aykroyd had rewritten a version of the script that he said that Murray and Reitman would take part in, but by 2002, according to Aykroyd, Columbia had expressed concern over the film's high production costs, and felt that it had become too risky of a proposition.{{cite web |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/366/366119p1.html |title=IGN FilmForce Exclusive: The Stax Report: Script Review of Ghostbusters 3: Hellbent! |website=IGN |date=July 30, 2002 |access-date=August 14, 2007}} Ramis also expressed that Murray had become "kind of obstructionist" about the film, further souring the film to Columbia.{{Cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/26/ghostbusters-3-ecto-plastered | title = Ghostbusters 3 Ecto-plastered | first = Steve | last = Head | date = November 26, 2002 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = IGN}}

The fate of the script remained unknown until 2006, when Ramis affirmed that a variation of Aykroyd's Hellbent script was still being considered for the sequel; to reduce the need for special effects and reduce production costs, Ramis had conceived a framing device of having the alternate version of Manhattan exist between moments in time, and featured situations of constant gridlock and where everyone spoke a different language in an otherwise unmodified version of the city. Ramis felt this approach would also reflect the "mundane" qualities of the first two films. Murray was still opposed to the film, according to both Ramis and Hudson as well as Aykroyd.{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Ramis_Plans_Ghostbusters_3_with_Stiller_/3467374 |title=Ramis Plans Ghostbusters 3 with Stiller |date=November 6, 2005 |work=Hollywood.com |access-date=December 30, 2009}}{{cite web |date=May 18, 2005 |title='Ghostbusters 3' in the Making |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Ghostbusters_3_in_the_Making/3501360 |work=Hollywood.com |access-date=August 13, 2007}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/22/comic-con-2006-ghostbusters-3-talk | title = Comic-con 2006: Ghostbusters 3 Talk | first = Chris | last = Carle | date = July 22, 2006 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = IGN}} In 2009, Ramis shot down rumors that Chris Farley, Ben Stiller or Chris Rock had been under consideration to appear in the film.{{cite web |date=March 27, 2009 |last1=Ditzian |first1=Eric |title=Original 'Ghostbusters' Cast On Board for Reboot, Harold Ramis Says |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1607995/original-ghostbusters-cast-onboard-for-reboot-harold-ramis-says/ |publisher=MTV News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160913122641/http://www.mtv.com/news/1607995/original-ghostbusters-cast-onboard-for-reboot-harold-ramis-says/ |archive-date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=September 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

Lack of interest and motivation continued to hinder progress until 2008. In September, Columbia hired screenwriters Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg to write a new screenplay for a Ghostbusters film, still set to revolve around a new cast of Ghostbusters, with uncertain involvement from the original cast.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2008/film/features/columbia-calls-up-new-ghostbusters-1117991624/ | title = Columbia calls up new 'Ghostbusters' | first = Michael | last = Flemming | date = September 3, 2008 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = Variety}} Aykroyd and Ramis stated filming for this script was expected to start in late 2009 or mid-2010, with a target release window of late 2011 to 2012,{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/ghostbuster-3-dan-aykroyd-says-filming-starts-this-fall-for-2011-release-harold-ramis-claims-in-theaters-christmas-2012-bill-murray-says-its-just-a-myth/ |title=Ghostbuster 3: Dan Aykroyd Says Filming Starts This Fall For 2011 Release, Harold Ramis Claims in Theaters "Christmas 2012", Bill Murray Says "It's Just a Myth" |first=Peter |last=Sciretta |date=May 3, 2010 |publisher=/Film |access-date=May 4, 2010}} and Reitman had committed to directing the film.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/aykroyd-reveals-details-of-new-ghostbusters-leader-and-busting-tech/ |title=Aykroyd Reveals Details of New Ghostbusters 'Leader' and Busting Tech |first=Brendon |last=Connelly |publisher=/Film |date=May 25, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}{{cite web|last1=Barton|first1=Steve|title=More Ghostbusters 3 Chatter – Reitman Out?|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/16320/more-ghostbusters-3-chatter-reitman-out/|website=Dread Central|access-date=September 9, 2013|date=March 18, 2010}} The question remained about Murray's participation on the film. Murray said in a 2010 talk show appearance that "I'd do it only if my character was killed off in the first reel".{{cite web |url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14322 |title=Bill Murray Talks Ghostbusters 3 on Letterman |work=ShockTilYouDrop |publisher=CraveOnline |date=March 1, 2010 |access-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406154834/http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14322 |archive-date=April 6, 2010}} Aykroyd had said that Murray had read the Stupnitsky-Eisenberg script, which Aykroyd claimed gave Murray the "comic role of a lifetime",{{Cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dan-aykroyd-ghostbusters-reboot-comic-56642 | title = Dan Aykroyd: 'Ghostbusters' Reboot Is 'Comic Role of a Lifetime' | first= Lindsay | last = Powers |date = December 6, 2010 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = The Hollywood Reporter}} but Murray remained adamant about not participating in it.{{cite web | url = https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/dan-aykroyd-ghostbusters-3-rumours/ | title = Dan Aykroyd On Ghostbusters 3 Rumours | first = Ali | last = Plumb | date = February 12, 2012 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = Empire}} Production on the film continued, working around Murray's lack of participation,{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ghostbusters-3-bill-murray-dan-aykroyd-says-films-future-uncertain-295971 | title = 'Ghostbusters 3': Bill Murray Out, Dan Aykroyd Says Film's Future Uncertain | first = Jordan | last = Zakarin | date = February 29, 2012 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = The Hollywood Reporter}} and was considering the possibility of recasting Murray's character.{{cite news |last=O'Neal |first=Sean |url=https://www.avclub.com/dan-aykroyd-now-saying-hell-just-recast-bill-murrays-pa-1798229829 |title=Dan Aykroyd now saying he'll just recast Bill Murray's part in Ghostbusters 3 | Film |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2013}}

This version of the sequel stalled again, and by July 2012, a new writing team was engaged to revamp the screenplay. Aykroyd said that "[the screenplay has] got to be perfect. That's the whole thing. There's no point in doing it unless it's perfect".{{cite web | url = https://www.nme.com/news/ghostbusters-3-moving-forward-with-new-writing-te-867700 | title = 'Ghostbusters 3' moving forward with new writing team | first= Nick | last = Levine | date = July 3, 2012 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = NME}} Etan Cohen was hired as lead scriptwriter for this version.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/new-ghostbusters-sequel-hires-men-in-black-3-wr/274670 |title=New 'Ghostbusters' sequel hires 'Men In Black 3' writer | Film & TV News |publisher=NME.com |date=July 11, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2013}} The new script still centered on a wholly new cast, this time as students from Columbia University that become the new Ghostbusters due to discoveries from their research, with the original Ghostbusters actors, excluding Murray, reprising their roles in the supporting cast. Aykroyd stated that they left enough variability in the script that should Murray want to participate, they could account for him.{{cite web|last1=Pantozzi|first1=Jill|title=Dan Aykroyd May Have Just Given Us Concrete Ghostbusters 3 Plot Information|url=http://www.themarysue.com/dan-ackroyd-ghostbusters3/|website=The Mary Sue|access-date=July 26, 2013|language=en|date=May 21, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-5/dan-aykroyd |title=The Project Dan Aykroyd Interview |publisher=Network Ten |date=October 18, 2013 |access-date=October 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021082529/http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-5/dan-aykroyd |archive-date=October 21, 2013}}

Eventually, the revised script had been completed with plans to start production in 2015. However, Harold Ramis died on February 24, 2014.{{cite news |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/-ghostbusters--actor-harold-ramis-dies-at-69-173530161.html |title=Harold Ramis, Star of 'Ghostbusters', Director of 'Caddyshack', Dies at 69 |author=Doty, Meriah |work=Yahoo! Movies |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=February 25, 2014 |date=February 24, 2014}} Initially, Sony/Columbia said that Ramis's role in the film had been minimal and would not affect production, but Reitman felt that the screenplay had to be reworked to better account for this, and approached the studio with his concerns.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ghostbusters-iii-script-be-reworked-683518 |title='Ghostbusters III' Script to Be Reworked Following Harold Ramis' Death |author1=Siegel, Tatiana |first2=Borys |last2=Kit |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=February 26, 2014}} Following his meetings with Sony, Reitman instead decided to drop out as director of the film, a combination of the impact of Ramis' death on his outlook, the struggles to get a third Ghostbusters film made, and a desire to work on smaller projects such as the recently completed Draft Day. Reitman committed to Sony to remain on in production and helped Sony look for a new director for the film.{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2014/03/ghostbusters-movie-going-forward-without-ivan-reitman-sony-701057/ | title = Third Installment Of 'Ghostbusters' A Go For Early 2015; Death Of Pal Harold Ramis Prompts Ivan Reitman To Turn Over Directing Reins | first = Mike Jr. | last = Flemming | date = March 18, 2014 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = Deadline Hollywood}} Over mid-2014, Sony pursued a short list of potential directors for the film. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were in talks to direct the film, but passed on the project.{{cite news |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=40696 |title=Lord And Miller Off Ghostbusters 3? |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |first2=Borys |last2=Kit |publisher=Total Films |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=April 8, 2014}} Ruben Fleischer had also been considered.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/marvels-ant-man-rawson-marshall-thurber-is-frontrunner-to-direct/ |title=Marvel's 'Ant-Man': Rawson Marshall Thurber Is Frontrunner to Direct (Exclusive) |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |work=The Wrap |date=May 30, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2014}}

By late 2014, Paul Feig had been attached as the potential director for the third film, but Sony officially announced in August that Feig had been brought aboard to helm a reboot of Ghostbusters featuring an all-female cast.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2014/film/news/paul-feig-ghostbusters-comedy-reboot-1201274332/ | title = Paul Feig in Talks to Direct 'Ghostbusters' Reboot With Women | first = Maane | last = Khatchatourian | date = August 2, 2014 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work = Variety}} Feig had been approached by Reitman and Sony's Amy Pascal to direct the sequel, but Feig turned this down, feeling the concept of the former Ghostbusters passing their roles to a new set of Ghostbusters would not allow him to give the new cast their proper time in the spotlight."I read the script and thought it was really fun, but New York and the world had been through this ghost attack problem twice in the past and it'd been solved. So now if a new team was going to come together and be given all their weaponry from the old team... it kind of sounded better on paper than it did in reality. It didn't feel like it would give the new cast the ability to plant a flag in these characters and in the franchise". - The Complete SFX Guide to Ghostbusters These talks resulted in the concept of the reboot as the best way to progress the franchise; this also allowed Feig to avoid issues with the canon from the previous films.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/07/paul-feig-ghostbusters-qa/|title=Ghostbusters Director Paul Feig Talks Haters, Slime, and Sexism|last=Rafterty|first=Brian|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016|magazine=Wired}} Feig partnered with Katie Dippold for the screenplay. Production started in mid-2015, and the film was released in July 2016 under the name Ghostbusters; it was later rebranded in home media as Ghostbusters: Answer the Call to distinguish it from the first film in the franchise.

During production of the 2016 Ghostbusters, Reitman stated that Sony Pictures had been coming off a series of flops, and were looking into a property comparable to the Marvel Cinematic Universe from which they could pull sequels, side stories, and other options for several years to follow. Reitman approached Sony with the idea of "Ghost Corps", a series of films based on the Ghostbusters franchise.{{cite news | url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/how-ivan-reitman-brought-ghostbusters-back-from-the-dead/article30920218/ | title = How Ivan Reitman brought Ghostbusters back from the dead | first = Barry | last = Hertz | date = July 14, 2016 | access-date = January 17, 2019 | work = The Globe and Mail}} Sony founded Ghost Corps in 2015, with Reitman and Aykroyd overseeing its productions. Ghostbusters became the first film branded with the Ghost Corps name.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2015/film/news/sony-sets-up-ghostbusters-branded-production-banner-ghost-corps-1201449205/ | title = Sony Sets Up 'Ghostbusters'-Branded Production Banner Ghost Corps | first = Justin | last = Kroll | date = March 9, 2015 | access-date = January 17, 2019 | work = Variety}}

During the production of Ghostbusters (2016), two additional Ghostbusters related projects emerged, tied to the Ghost Corps studio. In March 2015, Deadline wrote that an all-male lead Ghostbusters film was being developed by Sony's Ghost Corps label, with Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt starring.{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3335402/channing-tatum-starring-male-ghostbusters/ |title=Channing Tatum Starring In All-Male 'Ghostbusters'?! |publisher=BD |date=March 9, 2015}} Anthony and Joe Russo signed on as co-directors, from a script by Drew Pearce, while Reid Carolin and Peter Kiernan would produce the project.{{cite magazine |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/ghostbusters-channing-tatum-joe-and-anthony-russo-drew-pearce-ivan-reitman-dan-aykroyd-1201388917/ |title=Guy Theme 'Ghostbusters' Film With Russo Brother, Channing Tatum & IM3 Scribe Drew Pearce |magazine=Deadline Hollywood |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=March 9, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://badassdigest.com/2015/03/09/chris-pratt-could-join-the-ghostbusters-expanded-universe/ |title=Chris Pratt Could Join The GHOSTBUSTERS Expanded Universe |publisher=Badass Digest |last=Faraci |first=Devin |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-date=March 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312213045/http://badassdigest.com/2015/03/09/chris-pratt-could-join-the-ghostbusters-expanded-universe |url-status=dead}} In 2016, the project was reportedly cancelled, with the Russo brothers no longer attached.{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3383897/russo-brothers-ghostbusters-confirmed-dead/ |title=The Russo Brothers 'Ghostbusters' is Confirmed Dead |publisher=Bloody Disgusting |last=Barken |first=Jonathan |date=March 18, 2016}} Ivan Reitman later stated that he was not involved with the project, but it never got past early-development stages, with 30-some pages of script written.{{cite web |last=Osborn |first=Alex |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/17/other-ghostbusters-film-with-chris-pratt-and-channing-tatum-was-never-real-according-to-ivan-reitman |title=Other Ghostbusters Film With Chris Pratt and Channing Tatum Was 'Never Real', According to Ivan Reitman |website=IGN.com |date=July 17, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}

The second Ghostbusters-related project reported during this time was an animated film, produced by Reitman and distributed by Sony Pictures Animation. Fletcher Moules was hired to oversee the project as both an animator and the director. The film will be told from the perspective of ghosts.{{cite web|title=Ghostbusters Animated Movie is Told From a Ghost's Perspective|url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-animated-movie-plot-ghost/

|website=Screen Rant|access-date=August 3, 2018|date=October 3, 2017}}

Following the release of Ghostbusters in 2016, Sony Pictures announced that a sequel to the film was in development.{{cite web |website=Polygon |title=Sony has plans for a Ghostbusters sequel |first=Julia |last=Alexander |date=July 18, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/7/18/12211904/ghostbusters-sequel-sony}} In November, Feig expressed his doubts that the sequel would be made, due to the film performing under expectation at the box office.{{cite web |url=http://www.universityherald.com/articles/51482/20161124/ghostbusters.htm |title=Sequel to Ghostbusters Reboot Not Happening According To Director |date=November 24, 2016 |access-date=November 24, 2016}} In response to Feig's comments, Reitman asserted that "there's going to be many other Ghostbusters movies, they're just in development right now".{{cite news |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/future-ghostbusters-movies/ |title=Ivan Reitman Says There Are "Many" More 'Ghostbusters' Movies in Development |last=Anderton |first=Ethan |publisher=/Film |date=November 28, 2016 |access-date=November 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128182516/http://www.slashfilm.com/future-ghostbusters-movies/ |archive-date=November 28, 2016 |url-status=live}}

In an interview in November 2018, Aykroyd spoke of a new script being developed for a Ghostbusters film that would potentially bring together himself, Murray, and Hudson back in their previous roles, even considering Murray's previous reluctance to return.{{Cite web | url = https://comicbook.com/movies/2018/11/14/ghostbusters-3-dan-aykroyd-original-cast-written/ | title= 'Ghostbusters 3' With Original Cast Being Written | first = Jamie | last = Jerek | date = November 14, 2018 | access-date = January 18, 2019 | work =ComicBook.com}}

A new Ghostbusters film connected to the original two films was confirmed to be in development the following year, with it originally being scheduled for July 10, 2020. Ivan Reitman's son Jason Reitman directed the film, with a script co-written by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan. Ivan Reitman served as a producer, while The Montecito Picture Company worked on production. Ivan described the film as "passing the torch".{{cite magazine | url = https://ew.com/trailers/2019/01/16/jason-reitman-ghostbusters-movie-teaser/ | title = Watch the first teaser for Jason Reitman's secret Ghostbusters movie | first= Anthony | last = Breznican | date = January 16, 2019 | access-date = January 16, 2019 | magazine = Entertainment Weekly}}{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/01/15/new-ghostbusters-movie-jason-reitman/|title=Ghostbusters resurrected: Jason Reitman will direct a new film set in the original universe|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=January 15, 2019}}

Jason Reitman used the title "Rust City" during the development and pre-production stages to keep the project a secret.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2019/film/news/jason-reitman-ghostbusters-director-1203109264/ | title= Jason Reitman to Direct Secret 'Ghostbusters' Movie | first= Justin | last = Kroll | date = January 16, 2019 | access-date = January 16, 2019 | work = Variety}}

After the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 2021, Aykroyd expressed interest in having the surviving cast of the original Ghostbusters team reprise their roles in up to three sequels.{{Cite web |last=Fidducia |first=Christopher |date=December 18, 2021 |title=Ghostbusters 4, 5 & 6 Could Happen With Original Team, Says Dan Aykroyd |url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-4-afterlife-sequel-returning-cast-dan-aykroyd/ |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328012829/https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-4-afterlife-sequel-returning-cast-dan-aykroyd/ |url-status=live }} In April 2022, it was announced that a sequel to Afterlife was in early development.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=April 26, 2022 |title='Venom 3,' 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel in the Works at Sony |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/venom-3-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-sony-1235240650/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Variety |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426192308/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/venom-3-ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-sony-1235240650/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=April 26, 2022 |title=Sony Calling Up Another 'Ghostbusters' Movie — CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/ghostbusters-5-new-movie-1235009684/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324173129/https://deadline.com/2022/04/ghostbusters-5-new-movie-1235009684/ |url-status=live }} This was confirmed by Jason Reitman under the working title Firehouse two months later.{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Ghostbusters: Afterlife Director Announces a Sequel, Another 'Spengler Family' Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-spengler-family-firehouse |access-date=June 29, 2022 |website=IGN |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316201143/https://www.ign.com/articles/ghostbusters-afterlife-sequel-spengler-family-firehouse |url-status=live }}

With the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the Ghostbusters franchise hit $1 billion worldwide.

{{Hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article}}

According to the director commentary on the Ghostbusters DVD, the movie's cultural impact was felt almost immediately. The building that was Dana Barrett's apartment building in Ghostbusters has, since the release of the film, been known as the Ghostbusters Building,{{cite web |last=Gaines |first=Steven |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/realestate/vu/14943/ |title=75 Years in the Life of a Central Park West Penthouse |website=Nymag.com |date=November 7, 2005 |access-date=August 2, 2016}} and along with the Hook and Ladder Firehouse, has become a real-world New York City tourist attraction.{{cite web |date=May 1, 2005 |title=New York City |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCQ/is_6_20/ai_n13681257 |work=Travel America |access-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304165403/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCQ/is_6_20/ai_n13681257 |archive-date=March 4, 2007 |url-status=dead}} In May 2010, the group Improv Everywhere, at the invitation of the New York Public Library, staged a Ghostbusters-themed "mission" in the same reading room used in the film.{{cite web|author1=Charlie|title=Who You Gonna Call?|url=http://improveverywhere.com/2010/05/18/who-you-gonna-call/|website=Improv Everywhere|access-date=January 11, 2011|date=May 18, 2010}} The video game Burnout Paradise pays homage to the franchise with a car titled the 'Manhattan Spirit', which is based on the Ecto-1.{{cite web |title=Burnout Paradise: Legendary Cars |url=http://www.joystiq.com/screenshots/burnout-paradise-legendary-cars#1273026 |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920190536/http://www.joystiq.com/screenshots/burnout-paradise-legendary-cars#1273026 |archive-date=September 20, 2010}}

The movie Be Kind Rewind includes a sequence in which Jack Black, Mos Def, and others recreate the first movie using props and costumes made by themselves, a guest appearance by Sigourney Weaver, and a version of the theme sung by Jack Black.{{cite web |first=Fred |last=Topel |date=November 28, 2006 |title=Jack Black and Michel Gondry Remake "King Kong", "Robocop", and More '80s Classics |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1647875/ |work=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 14, 2007}}

On June 9, 2013, a trailer for a documentary called Spook Central, featuring clips from Ghostbusters alongside discussions of the perceived meanings in the film, mimicking the style of the documentary Room 237, was uploaded to YouTube.{{cite web |first=David |last=Haglund |date=June 11, 2013 |title=What Is Ghostbusters Really About? |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/06/11/spook_central_trailer_ghostbusters_fan_film_is_a_pretty_good_joke_video.html |work=Slate |access-date=June 15, 2013}}

The movie's catchphrase, "Who you gonna call?", has been used in other media, like the 1990s Casper cartoon series.{{cite magazine|last1=Daly|first1=Steve|title=It's All an Allusion: 'Casper' is full of pop culture references|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/06/02/casper-full-pop-culture-allusions/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 25, 2009|language=en|date=June 2, 1995|archive-date=June 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630021829/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,297446,00.html|url-status=live}} In the 1995 film version of Casper, Dan Aykroyd appears in character as Ray Stantz having been hired to remove the Whipstaff Manor of ghosts but having been foiled by the Ghostly Trio, Stantz sheepishly tells the new owners, "Who ya gonna call? Someone else."{{cite web |last1=Pantozzi |first1=Jill |title=Casper Had the Most Ridiculous Cameos |url=https://gizmodo.com/casper-had-the-most-ridiculous-cameos-1845454373 |website=Gizmodo |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |language=en-us}}

In 2016, independent filmmakers produced a video titled Ghostheads, which showcases and profiles various "Ghostheads" (self-named fans of the franchise ala "Trekkers" for Star Trek), and different individual franchises throughout the United States and Canada.{{cite web|quote=The term "Ghosthead" was coined in July 3, 1996 by Norman "Paranorman" Gagnon. |url=http://ghostheads.wix.com/ghostheads |title=ghostheads |website=ghostheads|access-date=June 1, 2016}}

In 2018, the Carabinieri of Pavia named the plan to arrest an art thief who used a ghostly bed sheet to be unrecognizable "Operazione Ghostbusters" ("Operation Ghostbusters").{{Cite web|url=https://www.youreporter.it/operazione-ghostbusters-rubava-opere-darte-nelle-case-di-riposo-travestito-da-fantasma/|title=Operazione Ghostbusters, rubava opere d'arte nelle case di riposo travestito da fantasma|date=November 27, 2018 }}

In 2021, The Buffalo Ghostbusters asked fans from all around the world to raise money for a new full-size replica Ghostbusters sign, which it later donated to Hook & Ladder 8 in New York City, commonly known as "The Ghostbusters Firehouse."{{Cite web |title=Tribeca Citizen {{!}} Ghostbusters of Buffalo dedicate new sign to Hook & Ladder Company 8 |url=https://tribecacitizen.com/2021/06/16/ghostbusters-of-buffalo-dedicate-new-sign-to-hook-ladder-company-8/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=Tribeca Citizen |language=en-US}} The sign now prominently hangs outside year-round, above the main entrance, and is visited often by fans. This has led to an annual fundraiser, with a celebration at the firehouse planned each year in early June to coincide with "Ghostbusters Day."{{Cite web |title=Signarama Helps Fan Group Recreate Iconic Ghostbuster Sign Signarama Signwriters Blog |url=https://signarama.com/blog/article/signarama-helps-fan-group-recreate-iconic-ghostbuster-sign |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=Signarama |language=en}}

Grand Theft Auto Online features references to Ghostbusters during the 2023 and 2024 Halloween updates. A car that looks like Ecto-1 can receive a "Ghosts Exposed" livery. A jumpsuit is available to all players who capture 10 ghosts on film, the jumpsuit looking like the iconic Ghostbusters suit with "Ghosts Exposed" decals.{{cite web|url=https://ghostbustersnews.com/2024/10/02/grand-theft-auto-online-halloween-update-to-add-ghostbusters-inspired-uniforms/|title=Grand Theft Auto Online Halloween update to add Ghostbusters-inspired uniform|publisher=Ghostbusters News|date=October 2, 2024|access-date=November 2, 2024|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Jason}}

The first film sparked the catchphrases, "Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!" and "I ain't afraid of no ghost". Both came from the theme song performed by Ray Parker Jr., who wrote it in a day and a half.{{cite web |first=Gary |last=James |date=January 1, 2002 |title=Gary James' Interview With Ray Parker Jr. |url=http://www.classicbands.com/RayParkerJrInterview.html |work=classicbands.com |access-date=August 13, 2007}} The song was a huge hit, staying at No. 1 for three weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and No. 1 for two weeks on the Black Singles chart. The song earned Parker an Academy Award nomination for "Best Original Song".

The music video produced for the song is considered one of the key productions in the early music video era, and was a No. 1 MTV video. Directed by Reitman, and produced by Jeffrey Abelson, the video organically integrated footage of the film in a specially designed haunted house, lined with neon in its entirety. The film footage was intercut with a humorous performance by Parker and featured cameo appearances by celebrities who joined in the call and response chorus, including Chevy Chase, Irene Cara, John Candy, Nickolas Ashford, Melissa Gilbert, Jeffrey Tambor, George Wendt, Al Franken, Danny DeVito, Carly Simon, Peter Falk, and Teri Garr. The video ends with footage of the four main Ghostbusters actors, in costume and character, dancing in Times Square behind Parker, joining in the singing.

The sequel spawned two singles from its soundtrack. R&B artist Bobby Brown had a successful hit with "On Our Own", while hip hop group Run-D.M.C. were commissioned to perform "Ghostbusters (rap version)" for the sequel.

{{More citations needed section|date=May 2017}}

The theme park special effects show Ghostbusters Spooktacular ran at Universal Studios Florida from 1990 to 1996. The Ghostbusters were later featured in a lip-synching dance show including Beetlejuice on the steps of the New York Public Library façade at the park. The characters were all-new and "extreme" versions in the show, save for the Zeddemore character. Their Ecto-1 automobile was used to drive them around the park, and was often used in the park's annual "Macy's Holiday Parade". For the show, an experimental silicone skin was used on Slimer, which took two weeks to put together.{{cite web |date=January 1, 2002 |title=Spooktacular at Universal Studios, Florida |url=http://www.ghostbustershq.com/spooktacular/intbm.html |work=GhostbustersHQ.com |access-date=August 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824091851/http://www.ghostbustershq.com/spooktacular/intbm.html |archive-date=August 24, 2007 |url-status=dead}} The show, Ecto-1, and all other Ghostbuster trademarks were discontinued in 2005 when Universal did not renew the rights for theme park use, with the Firehouse façade being integrated with the park's Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster after all decals and the Ghostbuster sign were removed. Ghostbusters returned to the park in 2019, part of a haunted house for the annual Halloween Horror Nights, in both the Orlando and Hollywood parks. Ghostbusters returned again to the park in 2024 for Universal Mega Movie Parade.

The National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA) released a line of 7" scale action figures based on the first movie, but only produced a series of ghost characters, as Murray refused the rights to use his facial likeness. Their first and only series included Gozer, Slimer (or Onionhead), the Terror Dogs: Zuul and Vinz Clortho, and a massive Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, contrasting the diminutive figure that was in the original figure line.{{cite web |author=Sanderson, Peter |date=February 26, 2004 |title=Toy Fair 2004 Day Two: DC Comics, Marvel, Buffy, South Park & More |url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/495/495012p5.html |work=IGN |access-date=September 6, 2007}}

Ertl released a die-cast 1/25 scale Ectomobile, also known as the Ecto-1, the Ghostbusters' main transportation. Smiffys Costumes has produced a Ghostbusters Halloween costume, consisting of a one-piece jumpsuit with logos and an inflatable Proton Pack.{{cite web |title=Best Halloween costumes for adults 2023: channel Barbie, Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus and more |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/shopping/esbest/halloween/best-halloween-costumes-for-adults-men-women-a4566556.html |website=The Standard |access-date=2 July 2024 |ref=Standard}}{{cite web |title=Ghostbusters Costumes |url=https://www.smiffys.com/collections/ghostbusters-costumes |website=Smiffys |access-date=2 July 2024 |ref=Smiffys}}

By 2007, Ghostbusters merchandise sales had exceeded {{US$|1 billion|long=no}} in revenue.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sierra-entertainment-calls-on-the-ghostbusters-to-save-the-world-again|title=Sierra Entertainment Calls On The Ghostbusters To Save The World Again|website=gamesindustry.biz|date=November 16, 2007|access-date=March 13, 2022}}

Art Asylum's Minimates toy line features a Ghostbusters sub-line, including a box set of characters from the 2009 video game. Extreme Ghostbusters has also seen a line of children's toys released by Trendmasters.{{cite web |date=July 19, 1999 |title=Interview: Leo Zahn |url=http://protoncharging.com/gb/1999/07/19/interview-leo-zahn/ |work=protoncharging.com |access-date=August 16, 2007}}{{Unreliable source?|sure=yes|reason=Source is a fansite.|date=December 2017}} Toys R Us released the Villains Series 3 of the Ghostbusters Minimates in January 2010.{{cite web|author1=Nomad|title=Another Ghostbusters Minimates Collection – With Villains!|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/last-toys-on-the-left/15497/another-ghostbusters-minimates-collection-with-villains/|website=Dread Central|access-date=September 9, 2013|date=February 1, 2010}}

The Parallax Corporation{{cite web |url=http://www.parallax-corp.com/ |title=Parallax Corporation |publisher=Parallax-corp.com |access-date=July 26, 2013 |archive-date=August 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815053636/http://www.parallax-corp.com/ |url-status=dead }} produces a line of marshmallows in a collectible box licensed under the Stay Puft Marshmallows brand.{{cite web |url=http://www.staypuftmarshmallows.com/ |title=Stay Puft Marshmallows |publisher=Stay Puft Marshmallows |access-date=July 26, 2013 |archive-date=December 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225171705/http://www.staypuftmarshmallows.com/ |url-status=dead }}

Mattel has produced a series of action figures based on characters from both the 1984 & 1989 movies and the 2009 video game, most of which were sold exclusively on their MattyCollector.Com webstore. This 6" line featured Peter, Ray, Egon, Winston, Gatekeeper Dana, Keymaster Louis, Walter Peck, Vigo the Carpathian, and most of the ghosts including a giant Mr Stay Puft. Mattel also offered a series of 12" figures with fabric clothing and light-up proton packs/slime blowers, as well as a number of replica toy props such as the PKE Meter & Ghost Trap. For retail stores, there was a "retro" series of 8-inch, cloth-costumed action figures based on the animated series, and a festive 6" Ghostbusters II set featuring the team in their dark grey uniforms with Santa hats.

At the February 2015 Toyfair Diamond Select Toys revealed several figures in a new 7" action figure line based on the first movie. These include Ray, Winston, Peter, Egon, Gozer, the Terror Dogs (Zuul & Vinz Clortho), Dana, and Louis. Each figure also includes pieces to assemble a diorama of the rooftop temple.

In 2017, Playmobil also produced a toy line featuring the Ghostbusters and essential elements from the first movie, including Dana Barret, the Marshmallow Man and Ecto-1.{{cite web |last1= Liszewski |first1=Andrew |title=Playmobil's New Ghostbusters Toys Are So Great You'll Wish You Had A Childhood Do-Over|url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/02/playmobils-new-ghostbusters-toys-are-so-great-youll-wish-you-had-a-childhood-do-over/|access-date=February 2, 2017|website=Gizmodo|date=November 15, 2017}}

The Ghostbusters' firehouse, in reality the still-used Hook & Ladder Company 8 fire station in New York, has become an icon of the franchise. It has become the basis for, among other products, Lego{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} and Playmobil toy sets.

{{anchor|Ghostbusters .28Sega video game.29|Ghostbusters .282007 game.29|Ghostbusters II .28video game.29|Real Ghostbusters .28arcade game.29}}

{{Main|List of Ghostbusters video games}}

In PlayStation Home, the PlayStation 3's online community-based social gaming network, Loot Interactive, in association with Atari and Terminal Reality, released a Ghostbusters-themed apartment space on June 18, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://protoncharging.com/gb/2009/06/16/playstation-home-ghostbusters-firehall-set-goes-live-on-june-18th/ |title=PlayStation Home Ghostbusters firehall set goes live on June 18th! |date=June 16, 2009 |publisher=Protoncharging.com |access-date=June 16, 2009}}{{Unreliable source?|sure=yes|reason=Source is a fansite.|date=December 2017}} Called the "Ghostbusters Firehouse: On Location", this space is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Ghostbusters and its worldwide release on Blu-ray. The Firehouse personal space is a detailed replica of the three floor Ghostbusters headquarters from the original film, including the ghost containment unit in the basement, the garage and office areas on the 1st floor, plus the living room, laboratory, fire poles, bedroom and bathroom areas.

Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff's 2014 Halloween event features a Ghostbusters theme to commemorate the film's 30th anniversary. The story involves Peter, Cleveland, Joe, and Quagmire becoming Ghostbusters to fight a paranormal invasion in Quahog. Included in the event are Ghostbuster uniforms for Peter and company, the Ghostbuster firehouse, and Ecto-1.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} The 2015 toys-to-life game Lego Dimensions features multiple characters, locations and stages based on the Ghostbusters franchise, including the original films and Paul Feig's Ghostbusters. On June 4, the theme park simulation game Planet Coaster added a Ghostbusters-themed pack.

The Ghostbusters slot machine was one of the most anticipated games released by International Game Technology in 2012. It is popular in the casinos of Las Vegas and there is also an online version of the game. It features 5 reels and 30 paylines with 3 interactive bonus rounds that can be unlocked. Dan Ackroyd also provided custom speech as Ray Stantz. {{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Stern Pinball released a Ghostbusters pinball game in June 2016. The game is available in three models: Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition. The game includes audio clips from the first two movies, as well as custom voice work from Ernie Hudson.{{Cite web|url=https://pinside.com/pinball/machine/ghostbuster-premium-le/details|title=Ghostbusters (Premium/LE) Pinball Machine (Stern, 2016) | Pinside Game Archive}}

{{Main|Ghostbusters (comics)}}

File:gblegion.jpg of the Ghostbusters battles a rampaging Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in this Graham Crackers variant cover to Ghostbusters: Legion #1. Published by 88MPH.]]

In the late 1980s, NOW Comics and Marvel UK published The Real Ghostbusters, comics based on the TV series of the same name.

In May 2003, Sony signed an agreement with 88MPH Studios to work on a comic update of the Ghostbusters film, to be released later in the year.{{cite web |date=May 16, 2003 |title=New Ghostbusters Comic On The Way: Artwork Available |url=http://archive.ghostbusters.net/article/69/ |work=IGN |access-date=September 5, 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6822 |title=Making The Call: Clavet & Dabb On Ghostbusters |website=Newsarama |access-date=May 8, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630135209/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6822 |archive-date=June 30, 2009}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Source is a forum post.|date=May 2017}} Ghostbusters: Legion saw the return of the four Ghostbusters and the principal cast from the film. Legion updated the series by setting the events of the first film in 2004, rather than 1984. Set six months after the Gozer incident, the series was designed to follow the Ghostbusters as their initial fame faded and they returned to the regular chore of busting ghosts on a daily basis. The series sees the team run ragged as a spate of supernatural crimes and other related occurrences plague the city, as well as contemplating the greater effects of their success beyond the immediate media attention.

Manga publisher Tokyopop produced an original English-language manga around the same time the video game was announced. It was released in October 2008,{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Lowe |date=July 8, 2008 |title=AX08: Tokyopop Announces Ghostbusters Manga |url=http://anime.ign.com/articles/886/886424p1.html |work=IGN |access-date=July 8, 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://newsarama.com/comics/080709-GBustersManga.html |title=Tokyopop to Publish Ghostbusters Manga |website=Newsarama.com |date=July 9, 2008 |access-date=August 2, 2016}} under the title Ghostbusters: Ghost Busted. Taking place between the second film and the game, the manga featured a series of one-shot stories from several different artists and writers, as well as a subplot involving Jack Hardemeyer (from the second movie) and a vengeful army of ghosts attempting to get revenge on the Ghostbusters.

IDW Publishing also released a comic book series based on the franchise. Their first series, Ghostbusters: The Other Side, was written by Keith Champagne, with art by Tom Nguyen.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17427 |title=CCI: Bustin' Makes Keith Feel Good |website=Comic Book Resources |date=July 26, 2008 |access-date=August 2, 2016}} A second series was later released in 2009 as Ghostbusters: Displaced Aggression. A third series, Ghostbusters: Haunted Holidays was released in November 2010. From September 2011 through December 2012, IDW published an ongoing series that ran 16 issues, written by Erik Burnham with art by Dan Schoening and Luis Antonio Delgado.{{cite web |url=http://www.comics.org/series/61188/ |title=GCD :: Series :: Ghostbusters |publisher=Comics.org |access-date=May 22, 2012}} From February 2013 through September 2014, a new ongoing series titled The New Ghostbusters, also by Burnham, Schoening, and Delgado, ran 20 issues.{{cite web |url=http://www.comics.org/series/71934/ |title=GCD :: Series :: Ghostbusters |publisher=Comics.org |access-date=February 13, 2013}}

In 2019, IDW published a 5 issue collection that saw The Ghostbusters & The Transformers crossover entitled Transformers Ghostbusters - Ghosts of Cybertron, where The Ghostbusters team up with The Autobots to fight ghosts of The Decepticons.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

For the occasion of the mutual 30-year anniversary of both franchises, IDW published a limited crossover series titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters in 2014, featuring the IDW version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles joining forces with the comics Ghostbusters.{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=54061/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: IDW Adds "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters", "Edward Scissorhands" |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=May 30, 2016}} The success of the series launched a sequel—Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters 2—three years later, with an accompanying assortment of action figures blending the Turtles' and the Ghostbusters' physical features.{{cite web|last=Terror |first=Jude |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/07/20/tmntghostbusters-comic-gets-sequel-november-crossover-toys-target-stores/|title=TMNT/Ghostbusters Comic Gets A Sequel For November, With Crossover Toys In Target Stores|publisher=Bleeding Cool.com|date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=August 25, 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Narcisse|first1=Evan|title=Here Are the Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters Mash-Up Figures Someone Has Definitely Been Waiting for|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/here-are-the-ninja-turtles-ghostbusters-mash-up-figures-1797101652|website=io9|access-date=November 20, 2017|date=July 20, 2017}}

Ghostbusters: Back in Town, a limited comic book series, is set to be published in 2024 by Dark Horse Comics. The series is set between Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/ghostbusters-back-in-town-comic-prequel-frozen-empire/|title=GHOSTBUSTERS: BACK IN TOWN To Give Fans New Story Ahead of Frozen Empire Sequel (Exclusive)|website=Screen Rant|first=Justin|last=Epps|date=November 16, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/ghostbusters-back-in-town-fills-gap-between-afterlife-frozen-empire/|title=Ghostbusters Back In Town Fills Gap Between Afterlife & Frozen Empire|website=Bleeding Cool|first=Rich|last=Johnston|date=November 16, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangoria.com/original/ghostbusters-back-in-town-announced-by-dark-horse-comics/|title=GHOSTBUSTERS: BACK IN TOWN Announced By Dark Horse Comics|website=Fangoria|first=Ryan|last=Scott|date=November 16, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ghostbusters-back-in-town/|title=Ghostbusters: Back In Town bridges the gap between Afterlife and the new movie|website=GamesRadar+|first=Will|last=Salmon|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}

• Ghostbusters: The Return is a 2004 novel written by Sholly Fisch in celebration of the franchise's 20th anniversary. Set two years after Ghostbusters II, the novel revolves around Venkman running for mayor of New York City and an ancient entity trying to conquer the world by bringing urban legends to life.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
• Tobin's Spirit Guide: Official Ghostbusters Edition is a 2016 fiction reference book written by Erik Burnham to tie in with the release of the Ghostbusters reboot. The book is mentioned in the first film and later seen in a digital databank version in the sequel.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
• Ghosts from Our Past: Both Literally and Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal is a 2016 fiction reference book written by Andrew Shaffer under the pen names of "Erin Gilbert" and "Abby L. Yates". The book appears in the reboot film, being the manual written by the two protagonists, which also ends up being the cause of their reunion.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote|Ghostbusters}}

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• [https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Ghostbusters Ghostbusters franchise] at The-Numbers.com
• [https://www.facebook.com/Ghostbusters Official Facebook page]

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