What is the order of the Ghostbusters movies?

In 1984, Ghostbusters spooked its way into cinemas. The horror comedy – directed by Ivan Reitman – followed the story of a trio of scientists-turned-spook-catchers, who set up their own ‘ghostbusting’ business.

During the course of the film, Egon, Peter, and Ray set up premises in an old firehouse, before advertising their services on television. After taking on a few clients and proving their skills in capturing ghosts, the team hire a fourth member, Winston.

From here they continue to create a name for themselves. However, they soon discover something strange (and supernatural) is occurring in their neighbourhood, leading to a showdown with an all-powerful entity named Gozer.

Upon release, Ghostbusters was a huge hit with audiences and was soon followed by a sequel, called Ghostbusters II. This in turn was followed by further films, which expanded the Ghostbusters franchise.

But how many Ghostbusters movies are there and what is the best order to watch the films? In this post, I will provide all the answers and more.

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The Ghostbusters movies in order

Ghostbusters (1984)

As noted above, the first entry in the Ghostbusters movie franchise was 1984’s Ghostbusters. The supernatural movie starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis, and focused its story around a quartet of ‘ghostbusters’ who hunt and capture paranormal entities.

During the course of the movie, the Ghostbusters cross paths with various spooks in New York City, including fan-favourite green ghost, Slimer. They also take part in a rooftop battle with Gozer, and square off against the cuddly, yet demonic, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. (105 mins)

Ghostbusters II (1989)

Due to the success of Ghostbusters, work soon began on a sequel. All the major players of the original signed back up, and in 1989 the appropriately titled Ghostbusters II hit cinema screens.

Picking up the story five years on from the events of the previous movie, Ghostbusters II saw the Ghostbusters down on their luck. Although they saved the city from Gozer, the group were sued for property damaged and barred from investigating the supernatural.

Taking other jobs to make ends meet, Ray, Winston, Egon, and Peter are no longer Ghostbusters. However, all that changes when the city faces another supernatural adversary in the shape of Vigo the Carpathian. (108 mins)

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

When Ghostbusters II debuted in cinemas back in 1989, it did decent business at the box-office, but the critical reception was not so good. Critics felt it lacked the spark of the original, and even fans felt it was underwhelming in comparisson to what had come before.

Yet despite this, Columbia Pictures – the studio behind the films – was keen to develop a third entry. Ghostbusters stars and creators, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, were keen on developing a third movie too, but despite various attempts over the next couple of decades to get Ghostbusters III off the ground, the movie never materialised.

However, after some consideration, Columbia Pictures decided instead of continuing down the route of a sequel, the studio would instead reboot the series with an all-new cast. The plan was to wipe the slate clean, introduce new characters, and attempt to attract a new audience.

Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth, this new movie hit cinema screens under the title of Ghostbusters (aka Ghostbusters: Answer the Call). The film followed the story of Abby, Erin, Patty, and Holtzmann, as they develop a ghostbusting business in New York, then find themselves battling a malevolent spook named Rowan. (117 mins)

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Despite good reviews from critics, 2016’s Ghostbusters (aka Ghostbusters: Answer the Call) didn’t take off with audiences in the way the studio had hoped for. The movie became the target of an internet hate campaign, which essentially dogged the film at every turn, and this quickly put a halt to any plans for a sequel.

In order to move forward with the Ghostbusters franchise, Columbia Pictures decided to abandon the film and instead return to the original run of movies. The result was a legacy sequel called Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which hit cinemas in 2021.

Starring Paul Rudd, McKenna Grace, and Finn Wolfhard, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was set decades after the events of Ghostbusters II, and focused on Egon’s grandchildren, Phoebe and Trevor. During the course of the movie, Phoebe and Trevor learn about their grandfather’s ‘spirited’ past, and develop their own team of Ghostbusters, which includes Podcast and Lucky.

Featuring various call-backs to the first two films, the movie was loaded with neat little surprises. It also included cameos from some familiar faces. (124 mins)

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Upon release, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was met with a positive response from fans and critics, which convinced Columbia Pictures to give the go-ahead for a direct sequel. This next film – 2024’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – would continue the story of Phoebe, Trevor, Podcast, and Lucky, as they return to New York City to team-up with the original Ghostbusters.

The order of the Ghostbusters movies

The Ghostbusters movies were released in the following order:

• Ghostbusters (1984)
• Ghostbusters II (1989)
• Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

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Are all of the Ghostbusters movies part of the same series?

The Ghostbusters movies are divided into two groups: The original timeline order and the rebooted timeline order.

The original timeline

• Ghostbusters (1984)
• Ghostbusters II (1989)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

The reboot timeline

• Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

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Who are the cast of the Ghostbusters movies and are the films the work of the same director?

Notable actors in the Ghostbusters movie series include Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, William Atherton, David Margulies, Peter MacNicol, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, Chris Hemsworth, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, and Bokeem Woodbine.

In terms of the directors, the movies are directed by the following:

• Ivan Reitman directed Ghostbusters & Ghostbusters II
• Paul Feig directed Ghostbusters: Answer the Call
• Jason Reitman directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife
• Gil Kenan directed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

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Editor/writer/Ghostbuster wannabe

Alex Wiggan

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