Ghostbusters: All Movies and TV Shows in Order (2024)

There has been a lot of Ghostbusters news lately, starting with the sequel of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. With Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire as the next upcoming movie for the franchise, here is the correct watch list of bringing all Ghostbusters movies in order!

Ghostbusters (1984)

Your first watch on a binge-watching spree for Ghostbusters movies in order is none other than Ghostbusters (1984), directed by Ivan Reitman, who sadly passed away a few months ago.

Ghostbusters strikes the perfect balance between comedy and science fiction, which is why it became an instant classic in the first place.

While all the spooky shenanigans are a spectacle, it's really Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Harold Ramis who shine here, as the paranormal investigators who must thwart an evil god's plans for mankind.

Related: Ghostbusters Movies Ranked Worst to Best

The Real Ghostbusters (1986 - 1991)

Much like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series of the same era, The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991) remains a beloved addition to its respective franchise, as it captures the spirit of the original films in a different format.

While it's difficult to pinpoint where in this series things go from Ghostbusters to Ghostbusters II (1989), its placement in the Ghostbusters movies in order ultimately doesn't matter.

There may have been some references to the films, but The Real Ghostbusters remains its own entity.

Related: Is Ghostbusters The Video Game worth buying in 2022?

Ghostbusters II (1989)

Ghostbusters II takes place five years after the 1984 original. This sequel gets a bad rap from fans and critics, and while the plot and humor are nowhere near as sharp as the original, there's still a lot to love from this late '80s sequel.

As usual, the awesome foursome is on top form, while supporting characters Lois Tully (Rick Moranis) and Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) bring many more laughs to the all-time beloved franchise's growth.

Ghostbusters II might not be a classic, but it's still a solid sequel.

Related: Is Ghostbusters The Video Game a Sequel?

Extreme Ghostbusters (1997)

Like The Real Ghostbusters, Extreme Ghostbusters (1997) isn't connected to the films canonically. However, like its predecessor, it does acknowledge the movies, which means that they are canon to it - just not the other way around.

Extreme Ghostbusters is a sequel to the '80s cartoon and features Egon Spengler as he starts up a new team of Ghostbusters. If you're looking for something that pushes the boundaries of child-friendly horror, this is it.

Related: First Look at Brand-New Ghostbusters VR Game

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

You probably already know that Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016) is a reboot of the original film, but as such, you can still view it - should you choose to keep up with the Ghostbusters movies in order, even if it is canonically irrelevant.

Unfortunately, this widely hated reboot isn't much better six years on. Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon play the new Ghostbusters, in what is essentially a carbon copy of the original.

Related: Is Ghostbusters Afterlife Worth Watching?

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

The long-awaited Ghostbusters "threequel" finally landed in theaters in November 2021, taking place 37 years after the original 1984 film, this time focusing on a new generation of Ghostbusters.

But was it worth the wait? Watching this film may have you saying, indeed it is. While the film plays it very safe by utilizing villains from the original film, and therefore, the exact same threat, McKenna Grace shines as Ghostbusters newcomer Phoebe Spengler.

Related: Ghostbusters Afterlife Ending Explained

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will be officially released on March 29, 2024. Following the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the events will be a direct sequel of the Spangler family acting as the new team of ghost-busting heroes.

The film will once again have Dr. Peter Venkman (Billy Murray), Dr. Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Walter Peck (William Atherton) reprising their roles alongside the new heroic family taking the lead.

Related: When Does Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Take Place on the Timeline?

More Upcoming Ghostbusters Projects For the Franchise

Meanwhile, here are the future and upcoming films and series that could be added to the timeline of watching the Ghostbusters movies in order!

Untitled Ghostbusters Animated Film

Another Ghostbusters animated movie is also in the works, which was confirmed during Ghostbusters Day. Jason Reitman said that the feature will introduce "all new characters" while being "a whole new take" on the Ghostbusters universe.

While plot and timeline are unknown, he added, "This was a passion project of my father’s and it’s easy to understand why. The world of the unknown can only be properly explored through the limitless reach of animation."

Related: Is Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed a Sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife?

Untitled Ghostbusters Animated Series

An untitled Ghostbusters animated series (TBA) will be handled by Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, with Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan on board as producers. But how do we know that this will be the last to be viewed?

Well, the show is described as "the next generation of Ghostbusters animated television" that will "reach into the future" of "an unexplored era and decade of Ghostbusters canon". Ghostbusters in the future huh? We're in.

Read Next: Ghostbusters Animated Series Title, Release Date, Cast, Plot, Trailer, Netflix, News, and Everything You Need to Know

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