Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is nearly upon us! To prepare, we’ve revisited the four Ghostbusters films to set the mood. While none quite match the original, some have stood out. Check out our rankings.
This list is for the movies alone, but everyone should take the opportunity to watch The Real Ghostbusters television show which ran from 1986-1991.
4. Ghostbusters (2016)
Paranormal researcher Abby Yates and physicist Erin Gilbert are trying to prove that ghosts exist in modern society. When strange apparitions appear in Manhattan, Gilbert and Yates turn to engineer Jillian Holtzmann for help. Also joining the team is Patty Tolan, a lifelong New Yorker who knows the city inside and out. Armed with proton packs and plenty of attitude, the four women prepare for an epic battle as more than 1,000 mischievous ghouls descend on Times Square.
While the attempt to reboot the series was done with the right intentions, the film fell extremely short of the standards set by the original 1984 movie.
3. Ghostbusters II (1989)
After saving New York City from a ghost attack, the Ghostbusters — a team of spirit exterminators — is disbanded for demolishing parts of the city during the battle. But when Peter Venkman learns that spirits have taken an interest in his son, the men launch a rogue ghost-chasing mission. The quest quickly goes awry, landing them in court. But when the ghosts turn on the judge, he issues an order allowing the Ghostbusters to get back to work.
While it as known to be the lesser of the original two films, the simple fact that the 2016 reboot was released allowed this film to rise a spot in the rankings. The sequel has it’s moments, but is simply just not as good.
2. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
Personally, I find this to be the best way to refresh a franchise and bring new fans to the theaters. Keep the original movie as part of the lore and add to the story 37 years later. Afterlife gives us a mix of the old with the new and brought Ghostbusters back to the forefront of the pop culture world!
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
After the members of a team of scientists lose their cushy positions at a university in New York City, they decide to become “ghostbusters” to wage a high-tech battle with the supernatural for money. They stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, a doorway that will release evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters must now save New York from complete destruction.
Not only the best Ghostbusters film ever made, it ranks up there as one of our favorite movies ever made. The original film is nearly perfect in so many ways!
