ghostbusters ghost

• View history

All items (1024)

• Azetlor the Collector

• Biker Ghost (Beeline)

• Bouncing Ball
• Bouncing Head

• Chainsaw Maniac Ghost

• Conductor Ugly

• Cult Leader

• Demons (Type of Creatures)

• Dive Bomber Skeleton

• The Original Movie Ghosts, Ranked
• Behind the Scenes of Ghostbusters
• Deleted Scenes You've Gotta See
• Vintage Toys That Are Worth a Ton
• Little Details in the Movies
• The In-Game Counterparts of Movie Ghosts
• The Dueling Ghostbusters
• Spotted in the 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Trailer

Every Ghost In The First Two 'Ghostbusters' Movies, Ranked

You can't have a Ghostbusters movie without ghosts . If there weren’t ghosts jogging through New York or menacingly shoving hot dogs in their faces, you’d just have four guys sitting around in brown uniforms quipping. Everyone knows the more popular ghosts in Ghostbusters , but what about the ghosts that don’t have a voice? This list of the all the Ghostbusters ghosts finally gives you a chance to speak up for the lesser known ghosts who you might prefer to Slimer or Zuul.

One of the most interesting things about every Ghostbusters ghost is how little the rules of traditional ghost movies matter to any of them. In the first film, you’ve got a demon dog coming out of a refrigerator and a giant marshmallow man wreaking havoc on New York. The ghosts in Ghostbusters II are all over the place. Some are 20-foot tall inter-dimensional creatures, while others are just heads on sticks. Is this kind of playful attitude that’s made the Ghostbusters films a touchstone for so many comedy, horror, and film fans since 1984. But as you know, all ghosts  aren’t created equal, so it’s time to rank all the ghosts in the first two Ghostbusters .

Vote up the ghosts in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II that made the biggest impression on you . Then leave us a comment about whether or not you are or ain’t afraid of no ghost.

Stay Puft Marshmallow Man

Appears In: Ghostbusters

Appears In: Ghostbusters , Ghostbusters II

New York Public Library Ghost

The Scoleri Brothers

The Ghosts of the Titanic

Appears In:  Ghostbusters II

Movie Theater Ghost

Appears In:   Ghostbusters II

Zombie Cab Driver

The Creature at the Washington Arch

Ye Olde Ghost Train

Subway Ghost

The Angry Fur Coat

Vigo the Carpathian

Bath Tub Slime Ghost

Ray's Dream Ghost

Vinz Clortho

Possessed Ray

These Heads on Sticks

Ghost Jogger

Ghost Nanny

Floating Crystal Ghosts

• Ghostbusters
• Ghostbusters Franchise
• Entertainment
• Graveyard Shift
• Adventure Entertainment
• Pop Culture
• Fictional Characters

Screen Rant

Every ghost in ghostbusters i & ii, ranked from worst to best.

With an all-new Ghostbusters reboot coming this summer, we count down the scariest ghosts Egon, Peter, Ray and Winston faced in the original films.

The first two Ghostbusters films are ‘80s classics. Excellent special effects, brilliant writing and some awesomely freaky ghosts combine to make these films genuinely scary and incredibly memorable.

Now with the all-female Ghostbusters reboot unleashing even more ghouls in cinemas this summer, it’s definitely time to find out which is the scariest ghost of them all. Our list is a ghoulish ranking featuring every ghost – and a couple of possessed souls – who have ever crossed streams with Egon (Harold Ramis), Peter (Bill Murray), Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Winston (Ernie Hudson). But who’s the scariest of them all?

Here’s Every Ghost in Ghostbusters I & II, Ranked From Worst To Best.

Film: Ghostbusters I & II

This floating green ball of ectoplasm is more interested in pigging out than scaring guests at the swanky Sedgewick Hotel. Although ugly, this rotund glutton is hardly the most terrifying of ghosts. And Slimer has earnt himself a special place in the Ghostbusters universe, appearing in Ghostbusters I & II and the cartoon series. Director Ivan Reitman describes Slimer as a party guy looking to have a good time, much like the first actor who was supposed to play Peter Venkman, John Belushi.

However, Slimer wasn’t always known as Slimer. On set the ghost was referred to as ‘Onion Head’. It was audiences that christened the foul smelling ghost with the name Slimer after the film was released.

16. Dream Ghost

Film: Ghostbusters

The next ghost barely registers on the Scare-O-Meter. The Dream Ghost (also known as the Fort Derring Ghost) is a heavenly body that floats above Ray while he’s asleep and, ahem, unzips his pants. Unluckily for Ray, he rolls off his bed, crashing to the floor.

Ray’s encounter with this seductive spook appears in the montage sequence charting the Ghostbusters’ rise to fame. However, a longer scene was shot featuring Ray and Winston investigating a ghost sighting at Fort Derring. When Ray falls asleep in the officer’s quarters… well, the rest is in the film. Harold Ramis justified the cutting of the scene as it was too long and didn’t feel right for the film. Dan Aykroyd himself has no regrets about shooting the scene, telling Ghostbusters: The Ultimate History : “I have a friend who had three women visit him in a haunted house in Louisiana, and it was one of the greatest nights of his life.”

15. Central Park Jogger Ghost

Film: Ghostbusters II

Even in the afterlife the Jogger Ghost continues his fitness regime, running circuits around New York’s Central Park in Ghostbusters II . Now  that's dedication. This sporty ghost is so locked into his fitness regime he fails to notice the trap set for him by Peter Venkman. Check out Ray and Peter’s little victory dance upon catching this ghost during the end credits. The boys have moves.

Actor Jim Faye not only played the Jogger Ghost, but portrayed the Statue of Liberty and Tony Scoleri, one of the criminal ghosts that plague the Ghostbusters trial in Ghostbusters II . Must have been quite a gig!

14. Subway ghost

When pencil pushing government official Walter Peck shuts down the Ghostbusters’s containment facility, he unknowingly unleashes the undead on New York City. This includes the Subway Ghost, which terrorizes commuters during the daily rush hour with its mouthful of tentacles and banshee-like wailing.

Initially, this ghost was to have three heads. Unfortunately, this design would have cost too much for a ghost that features in the film for mere seconds. It’s probably just as well. Surely, subway commuters have been traumatized enough.

13. City of Albany ghost train

While trying to locate the river of slime down in the pits of New York’s subterranean metro and sewer systems, Egon, Ray and Winston are railroaded by the City of Albany Ghost Train. Winston gets it worst, with the train running right through his body as the other two Ghostbusters duck out of the way.

Coming after the horrifying discovery of dozens of severed heads mounted on spikes, The City of Albany Ghost Train is without doubt one of the scariest sequences in both films. However, the ghost train was only added after principal photography had finished. The filmmakers wanted to add more special effects and scares to the second half of the movie. They succeeded.

12. Mink coat ghost, Titanic, Washington Square ghost, Cinema ghost

With Vigo’s power intensifying (more on him later), New York becomes plagued by paranormal activity. In classic ‘80s style, Ghostbusters 2 depicts this with a montage sequence in which four ghosts run riot.

The mink fur coat that comes back to life and attacks its wealthy owner gets ghoul-points for viciousness. But little can match the epic gloom of the wrecked Titanic docking 77 years after its scheduled arrival. Like they say in the film, “ better late than never.” Over on Washington Square, gridlocked commuters are being terrified by some kind of monstrous dinosaur. While in a dark cinema a movie-going ghost is causing popcorn munchers to flee. But hey, perhaps it wasn’t the ghost that caused them to run. After all, The Karate Kid: Part III was released in 1986.

11. Psychomagnotheric Slime

Psychomagnotheric slime – otherwise known as mood slime – has the power to heighten a person’s mood either negatively or positively. But it doesn’t just have to be people. This pinky-purplely goop can also animate inanimate objects. In one of Ghostbusters II ’s most memorable scenes, Ray and Egon demonstrate the power of the ooze to a skeptical Peter by making a toaster dance to Jackie Wilson. Later in the film, it causes Dana’s bath to try and eat poor baby Oscar.

Our ghost-busting heroes get a bad feeling when they discover a river of slime running beneath New York’s streets and leading to the ill-fated Museum of Modern Art – home to the villainous Vigo. When Ray, Egon and Winston fall in to the river, they emerge trying to kill each other. During filming, 100,000 gallons of slime was used. Apparently the stuff is edible, with the film crew using the same ingredients used to make pie thickeners and salad dressing. Yum! Somebody call Slimer.

10. Zombie Taxi Driver

Alright, New York taxi drivers have a reputation. But a zombie taxi driver? That’s one tip you wouldn’t dare skimp on. One of the scarier ghosts in Ghostbusters , this decrepit member of the walking dead could have easily featured in any straight-up horror movie. His driving is also pretty terrifying, but maybe we should cut him some slack. He is dead, after all. In an early version of the script the character was a zombie biker. But a taxi driver is far more New Yawk.

Apparently Dan Aykroyd has been confirmed as a taxi driver in this summer’s Ghostbusters sequel . Hopefully not in a zombified form.

9. Scoleri Brothers

The Scoleri Brothers (Nunzio and Tony) were condemned to the electric chair by Judge Stephen Wexler (Harris Yulin). The very same judge that tries Ray, Peter and Egon in Ghostbusters II . Brought into being by a sample of slime and Wexler’s tirade while sentencing the Ghostbusters, these two criminals ride their electric chairs through the courtroom looking for their own brand of justice.

Designing the Scoleris, the visual effects crew took inspiration from that other Dan Aykroyd classic, The Blues Brothers . However, the little and large pair swap sunglasses and fedoras for singed prison uniforms, crackling electricity, and gaping mouths. Nunzio Scoleri – the larger of the two brothers – is played by an uncredited Tim Lawrence. Lawrence was part of the visual effects crew and played a key role in designing the Scoleris.

8. Library Ghost

The Library Ghost is one of the first ghosts Peter, Egon and Ray encounter. Initially appearing as a mild-mannered, old-fashioned librarian, this spook uses the element of surprise to give audiences an old-fashioned fright. Incredibly, an even scarier Library Ghost puppet was built but it was deemed way too scary for the PG-rated film. This version of the puppet did, however, experience an afterlife of sorts when it was reused for the original Fright Night .

Ghostbusters is very much a New York film. And while the hall of the New York Public Library is used to film the Ghostbusters’s arrival, it’s the Los Angeles Public Library that’s used for the discovery of the Library Ghost.

7. Dr. Janosz Poha

OK, Janosz Poha (Peter MacNicol) isn’t really a ghost. However, once he is possessed by Ghostbusters II villain Vigo, this quirky museum curator turned minion takes on some decidedly ghost-like supernatural abilities. First, during a city-wide blackout, he uses his eyes as beams of light. Handy, if a little disturbing. Secondly, he takes the spectral form of an English nanny to fly to Dana’s apartment and kidnap her baby so that Vigo may live again. A demonic Mary Poppins? Now that’s the stuff of nightmares.

But Poha wasn’t always going to be the one to kidnap little Oscar. Everything from a two-headed dragon, gargoyles and a ghoulish Santa were pitched for the devilish deed.

6. Possessed Ray

It was possession at first sight when Ray laid eyes on the painting of Vigo the Carpathian at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Ghostbusters II . Although it was only at the film’s climax that Vigo fully took control of Ray, turning the good-natured Ghostbuster into a grotesque demon, complete with red eyes and horns. Like Poha, this entry is more a possessed soul than a ghost. However, being possessed by a ghost just about makes the criteria for the list, especially when it’s this scary.

While it’s hinted at throughout the film, Ray’s possession was originally a little more obvious. In a deleted scene from Ghostbusters II , Ray, behind the wheel of Ecto-1, runs a red light and threatens to kill everyone. Luckily, Winston’s on hand to knock Ray out and stomp on the brakes.

5. Vinz Clortho the Keymaster

Vinz Clortho the Keymaster is one of the two demonic dog-like minions of Gozer. Awoken atop Dana Barrett’s apartment building, Vinz seeks a human body to possess in order to mate with fellow demi-god, Zuul the Gatekeeper, and bring Gozer back into this world. Vinz’s dog-form is a pretty formidable beast with glowing red eyes and large demonic horns. However, he doesn’t seem to be the smartest puppy in the supernatural pet shop. After possessing accountant Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), a seemingly bewildered Vinz repeatedly asks passersby - including a horse - if they are the Gatekeeper.

Originally Vinz’s victim Louis was to be played by the late, great John Candy. This resulted in a version of Vinz Clortho being designed that was short and dumpy. But Candy ultimately walked away from the movie when the writers were not prepared to expand the role of Louis.

4. Zuul the Gatekeeper

Next time you think your fridge has something demonically out-of-date in it, give a thought for poor Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver). Dana’s fridge contains Zuul the Gatekeeper – a minion of Gozer who takes the form of a demonic dog-like creature. Poor Dana is dragged into this fridge where she is possessed by Zuul. She emerges to lie in wait for Vinz Clortho, another of Gozer’s minions, so they can bring forth the return of Gozer. An unholy union if ever there was one.

In her audition for the part, Weaver pretended to transform into Zuul’s dog form. A process that apparently involved a lot of writhing around and snarling at director Ivan Reitman. Speaking of Reitman, the director also lent his deep tones for Dana’s possessed Zuul voice, which were intensified further in post production.

3. Stay Puft Marshmallow Man

When Gozer seemingly vanishes into thin air, the god offers the Ghostbusters a sadistic choice: choose the appearance of their destructor. Unfortunately, Ray picks the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. After all, he reasons his choice is “something that could never, ever possibly destroy us." Wrong, Ray, very wrong. Little spells terror like a 100ft marshmallow crushing all before it with the destructive glee of Godzilla on a sugar high.

The only way to roast this marshmallow is for the Ghostbusters to cross the streams from their proton packs – an ending that was only decided midway through filming.

In the original script, Mr. Stay Puft was to appear around 20 minutes into the film. But that script also featured time travel, numerous similarly-sized monsters and was estimated to have cost $300 million to film.

2. Gozer the Destroyer

Despite narrowly missing out on the top spot, Gozer the Destroyer is easily one of the scariest foes the Ghostbusters have had to take down. This ancient god has all kinds of crazy powers, not least the ability to shoot lightning bolts from her fingers and inter-dimensional travel. And like any supernatural marauder, Gozer has several boss nicknames, including: Gozer the Gozerian, Gozer the Destructor and Gozer the Traveler. Gozer was once worshipped by the Sumarians in about 6000 BC, and comes back to do what any ancient god-like figure would do: end the world.

But Gozer wasn’t always going to be the red-eyed demoness that makes the final film. Gozer was initially intended to take the form of Ivo Sandler, the architect behind the Gozer temple. Paul ‘Pee Wee Herman’ Reubens was envisioned for the part and would have appeared in a mundane suit and tie - a sartorial choice several dimensions away from the sparkliest of sparkly leotards Gozer wears in the final film.

1. Vigo the Carpathian

Vigo the Carpathian, the Scourge of Carpathia, the Sorrow of Moldovia, is so out-and-out evil that even his furniture is scary. Check out how he bigs himself up: “On a mountain of skulls, in the castle of pain, I sat on a throne of blood.” Whoaa! Not something you’d find in Ikea. We can only assume he’s compensating for that receding hairline. Not one to age gracefully is Vigo. Without a doubt, Vigo is the scariest hombre in the Ghostbusters universe, with several mean-sounding aliases: Vigo the Cruel, the Torturer, the Despised, the Unholy, and, according to Peter Venkman, the Butch.

Vigo was a tyrant and sorcerer from Carpathia in Hungary, and, it seems, not great at taking a hint. Moments before being thoroughly killed by his disgruntled people (including being shot, stabbed, disemboweled and hung) Vigo said, “Death is but a door. Time is but a window. I’ll be back.” Next stop was the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where his spirit resided in a creepy self-portrait. Vigo’s big plan to reenter the world and restart his reign of terror was to possess Dana Barrett’s baby, Oscar. Thankfully the Ghostbusters – with a little help from Lady Liberty – put a stop to this in the film’s awesomely slime-splattered showdown.

Vigo was played by the late Norbert Grupe (credited with his stage name Wilhelm von Homburg). Grupe was a former boxer and wrestler who had also appeared as one of Alan Rickman’s henchmen in Die Hard - he’s the one who bazookas the S.W.A.T team’s armored car. Unfortunately for Grupe all his lines were dubbed in post-production by Max von Sydow. By the way, it’s well worth reading Deadspin’s in-depth profile of Grupe , especially for Ghostbusters II’s executive producer Michael C. Gross’s frank recollection of the actor.

Will the Ghostbusters reboot feature anyone as scary as Vigo? Let us know in the comments.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Full cast & crew.

Directed by 

Writing credits  , cast (in credits order) verified as complete  , produced by , music by , cinematography by , editing by , casting by , production design by , art direction by , set decoration by , costume design by , makeup department , production management , second unit director or assistant director , art department , sound department , special effects by , visual effects by , stunts , camera and electrical department , animation department , casting department , costume and wardrobe department , editorial department , location management , music department , script and continuity department , transportation department , additional crew , thanks .

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs

Contribute to This Page

• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos
• User Reviews
• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

VIRTUAL REALITY FALL 2023 -->

Community Code of Conduct

Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord is for everyone, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability or any other attribute that people use to label others or divide communities.

In order to keep our game the best place to play for everyone, it is important for all our users to respect the rights of others and refrain from misuse of cross-play and communication features. Accordingly, when you create an Account you agree that you (and your Child, if creating a Child Account) will follow the rules set forth below.

1.1. Do not organize hate groups or use or promote hate speech.

Hate speech expresses prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical ability, or similar grounds

This includes trolling, insulting/derogatory comments, casual use of slurs or similar pejorative language, and personal or political attacks.

1.2. Do not threaten, harm, bully, harass, troll, or stalk anyone, or encourage anyone to do so.

1.3. Do not create, upload, stream, or share messages, images, audio, or other content or communication that is lewd or contains graphic sexual content or abhorrent violent material.

1.4 Do not use sexualized language or imagery or partake in unwelcome sexual attention or advances.

1.5. Do not engage in, threaten, or promote illegal activity, terrorism, or acts of violence or self-harm.

1.6. Do not defame or spread lies about anyone, or create, alter, upload, stream, or share images or audio of another person without their consent.

1.7. Do not reveal personal information (such as phone numbers, email addresses, IP or MAC addresses, or real-world addresses) about yourself or another person.

1.8. Do not manipulate or or disrupt the normal flow of chat or gameplay.

1.9. Do not share, buy, sell, rent, sub-license, trade, transfer, phish for or harvest any accounts, account details, or other account credentials.

1.10. Do not cheat, or use any bugs, glitches, vulnerabilities or unintentional mechanics to get an advantage or to gain unauthorized access to content.

1.11. Do not upload, post, stream, or transmit any content that contains any viruses, worms, spyware, time bombs, or other computer programs that may damage, interfere with, or disrupt servers.

1.12. Do not send SPAM, or upload or share content that is commercial in nature, such as advertisements, solicitations, promotions, and links to web sites.

1.13. Do not engage in, promote, or facilitate activity that infringes the rights of any third party, or violates any law or regulation, or contractual or fiduciary obligations.

1.14. Do not steal anyone's identity, impersonate anyone, or engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading practices.

1.15. Do not create an account profile or online ID that violates this Code of Conduct.

1.16. Do not submit false grief reports or otherwise abuse the grief reporting system.

1.17. Do not be rude to, or abuse or threaten, our employees, agents or representatives. If you do, in addition to any other actions we may take under this Agreement, we may restrict you to contacting us by email or refuse to provide you with any further consumer support.

Violations of our Code of Conduct may result in moderation action taken against your Account. We may also notify law enforcement (or another appropriate government agency) if the breach involves a threat to the life or safety of yourself or others, or any other activity that we believe to be unlawful.

We are not responsible for monitoring or recording any activity or communications on Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord , although we may do so in order to investigate violations of or enforce this Agreement, or to protect the rights and property of SIE, its partners, and customers. If you witness or experience any violation of this Code by another player, you should report them immediately, using our grief reporting tools. We are not liable for any violation of this agreement by you or by any other user.

Featured Ghostbusters News

First look at ghostbusters: spirits unleashed’s next free dlc update, by ghostbusters news on oct. 19, 2023, 12:07 a.m..

Neue Gozer-Statue in der Mache

By ghostbusters deutschland on oct. 18, 2023, 10:37 p.m., illfonic launch ghostbusters pumpkin carving contest, by ghostbusters news on oct. 18, 2023, 7:01 p.m., premium collectibles studio adds gozer the gozerian to ghostbusters statue line, by ghostbusters news on oct. 18, 2023, 5:57 p.m., dixxon release ghostbusters inspired ‘venkman flannel’, by ghostbusters news on oct. 18, 2023, 2:17 p.m., now streaming: the real ghostbusters episode “the boogieman cometh”, by ghostbusters news on oct. 18, 2023, 4:43 a.m., extraplasm podcast talks hasbro’s “big” tease with ghostbusters news, by ghostbusters news on oct. 18, 2023, 3:34 a.m..

Things get kinda humpy in our look at the new Ghostbusters Terror Dog costume

By ghostbusters news on oct. 18, 2023, 2:20 a.m., samhain is back in new preview of ghostbusters: spirits unleashed ecto edition, by ghostbusters news on oct. 16, 2023, 1:43 a.m., upcoming fort wayne komets game announced as ‘ghostbusters night’, by ghostbusters news on oct. 15, 2023, 3:54 p.m., new preview of ghostbusters ecto-1 and firehouse headquarters 3d puzzles, by ghostbusters news on oct. 15, 2023, 12:30 a.m..

EASY upgrades for your Hasbro or Spirit Halloween Ghostbusters Proton Pack | HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN

By ghostbusters news on oct. 14, 2023, 7:33 p.m..

Hasbro annuncia una nuova linea Ghostbusters!

By ghostbusters italia on oct. 14, 2023, 9:10 a.m., if i’m lucky release music video for cover of ray parker jr.’s “ghostbusters”, by ghostbusters news on oct. 14, 2023, 1:18 a.m..

Hasbro: Video teasert zukünftige Toys an

By ghostbusters deutschland on oct. 13, 2023, 11:12 p.m..

Hasbro release teaser hyping “BIG” Ghostbusters reveal

By ghostbusters news on oct. 13, 2023, 9:35 p.m., first look at ghostbusters: rise of the ghost lord dlc reveals ‘gold rush’ proton pack, by ghostbusters news on oct. 13, 2023, 8:31 p.m., new necrohowler skins have been unleashed in ghostbusters: spirits unleashed, by ghostbusters news on oct. 13, 2023, 2:35 a.m., grand theft auto online’s ‘ghostbusters’ event is live, letting players cruise around in a would-be ecto-1, by ghostbusters news on oct. 12, 2023, 11:48 p.m., featured ghostbusters.net articles.

I Ain't Afraid of No Toys Ghostbusters Fan Fest Panel

An inside look at the kenner real ghostbusters toy line with seasoned toy designer mark boudreaux..

Extreme Ghostbusters: Talk to the Animals Comic Review

The final 35th anniversary ghostbusters issue from idw publishing marks the extreme ghostbusters first dedicated comic that will leave you wanting more..

The Answer the Call Ghostbusters Get Back to Busting!

The ladies in grey and orange, patty tolan, abby yates, jillian holtzmann and erin gilbert, are confronted by a disturbing presence manifested by an unhinged cult in this 35th anniversary collectors one-shot you must own..

Ectotron: Transformers / Ghostbusters Crossover Figure Available For Pre-Order

Exclusive video and photo of ectotron, the first ecto-1 autobot now available for pre-order, from hasbro pulse..

Hollywood loves a ghost movie. These are the best ones to watch this Halloween

A g-g-g- ghost!

That — spluttering and all — was the usual reaction to Casper, the Friendly Ghost. Ghosts scare people. Even if, like Casper in the old cartoons, they just want to be your friend.

Ghosts, as a matter of fact, often have more on their minds than just saying "boo!"

Sometimes, as in "Macbeth," "Julius Caesar," and "Hamlet," they come back to scold, warn, prod. Sometimes, as in "A Christmas Carol," they do interventions.

And sometimes — as in "Ghostbusters" — ghosts just wanna have fun.

At Halloween, our annual festival of fear, they'll always have a place of honor — if only because their costume is a gift to the lazy. White sheet, two holes, done. Coincidentally, ghosts are also among the simplest of Hollywood's special effects. Double exposure is as old as film itself.

Maybe that's why ghosts have haunted movie theaters for 120 years — ever since Georges Méliès made "The Apparition" in 1903. And Halloween is a great time to catch up with the best of them. Here are some of our favorites.

Never fear! There are over 100 scary Halloween things to do, read and see in North Jersey

With this caveat: Hollywood's ghosts, like all ghosts, have mixed motives. Not every ghost movie is meant to scare you.

Some movie ghosts are wistful. Or romantic. Or funny. Or even thought provoking.

But others? BEWARRRRRE!!!!!!

'A Ghost Story' (2017)

There are sad ghosts, just like there are sad clowns. Casey Affleck, for instance — killed in a crash, who comes back to his old home to haunt his grieving wife, Rooney Mara. Ludicrously, wistfully, he looks exactly like a trick-or-treat ghost — the sheet with two eyes. This minimalist meditation on time, grief and memory, from writer-director David Lowery, is slow, unsettling. Haunting, in a word. Vudu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, Apple.

'The Others' (2001)

The other whats? Not humans, for sure, in this moody tale of a woman (Nicole Kidman), her photo-sensitive children, and her servants, in an isolated house in the Channel Islands where — it turns out — they are not quite so alone after all. Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu.

'Sixth Sense' (1999)

"I see dead people." And there's a reason for that, in M. Night Shyamalan's much-discussed thriller featuring a psychologist (Bruce Willis), a disturbed and disturbing child (Haley Joel Osment), and a famous "shock" ending that we won't spoil — though you probably know it already. Peacock, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime.

'Ghost' (1990)

The ghost: Patrick Swayze. The widow: Demi Moore. The medium: Whoopi Goldberg. The revelation: pottery. Who knew it was sexy? This iconic '90s film may or may not be a classic of supernatural love. But it's certainly Hollywood's greatest advertisement for ceramics class. Max, Roku, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, Redbox.

'Beetlejuice' (1988)

Leave it to Tim Burton to tell a ghost story from the ghost's point of view. In this case, about a ghostly couple (Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis) who hire an ectoplasmic exterminator (Michael Keaton) to rid their house of its human pests. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! There, we've said it. Amazon Prime, Vudu, Apple TV.

'Ghostbusters' (1984)

Who could resist Slimer, Zuul, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man? Apparently only Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd — which is why they had to be called in in the first place. This monster hit earned a place in comedy history, but — heretical opinion — we prefer "Ghostbusters II" (1989), with its demonic spirit Vigo (Norbert Grupe), a sort of ectoplasmic Vlad the Impaler, and his nutty enabler Dr Janosz Poha (Peter MacNicol, borrowing the Polish accent of his "Sophie's Choice" co-star, Meryl Streep) who warns the heroes that to Vigo "you are like the buzzing of flies!" USA Network, OXYGEN, SYFY, Bravo, E!, Prime Video, ROW8, Apple TV, Vudu.

'Poltergeist' (1982)

This Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg shocker goes a bit over the top in the last act. But the early scenes, involving a nice suburban daddy (Craig T. Nelson), his nice normal family, and his sweet little daughter (Heather O'Rourke), who gets sucked into the TV set, are notably creepy, and Zelda Rubenstein is unforgettable as the medium with the happy message: "All are welcome in the light!" Max, Philo, Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu or Redbox, or on TCM 12:30 a.m. Oct. 18.

'The Shining' (1980)

Just because you're dead, doesn't mean you don't have to earn a living. In "The Shining," Stanley Kubrick's epic rendering of the Stephen King novel, the ghosts include butler Grady (Philip Stone) and bartender Lloyd (Joe Turkel), who do their best to make homicidal Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) comfortable as he plots to murder his wife and child in an empty, snowbound hotel. Kubrick brought a new twist to ghost movies: all the scary stuff happens in broad daylight. Which makes it worse. Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, and Vudu.

'The Fog' (1980)

"It's not the fog. It's what's in the fog!" Carcinogens? No — it's the ghosts of an evil ship's crew lurking within the creepy mist that blankets Point Reyes, California. John Carpenter's flashlight-in-the-face ghost yarn, starring the inevitable Adrienne Barbeau and Jamie Lee Curtis, is good spooky fun. Prime Video, Apple TV or Vudu.

'The Haunting' (1963)

Even ghosts gotta live somewhere. Hence, the Haunted House — one of Hollywood's favorite pieces of real estate. This one is especially nasty, with its middle-of-the-night pounding, cold spots, and a memorably unstable spiral staircase. Naturally, the 1999 remake (both are based on Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House") upped the shocks — and naturally, no one talks about it. Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, or on TCM 1:30 a.m. Oct. 21.

'Carnival of Souls' (1962)

This unique low-budget chiller, featuring a haunted amusement pier, has a twist that out-Shyamalans M. Night Shyamalan. Recommended. Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Apple TV.

'The Innocents' (1961)

Two sweet children. A spunky governess. But this isn't "The Sound of Music." Because these kids are haunted by evil spirits. Or else the governess is losing her mind. And either way, this gorgeously photographed, subtly spooky rendering of Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" is probably the best ghost movie ever made. Deborah Kerr's performance is a tour de force. Netflix, Amazon, Vudu.

'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir' (1947)

Is a ghost your ideal mate? eHarmony might not think so. But Hollywood has occasionally thought otherwise. The best of all the otherworldly love stories is probably this one — about an independent-minded widow (Gene Tierney) circa 1900, who is romanced by the ghost of a cranky sea captain (Rex Harrison). It sounds trite — but the movie has a depth and melancholy that is hard to forget. A lot of it has to do with the seaside setting, and Bernard Herrmann's exquisite music. Prime Video, Apple TV or Vudu or TCM 8 p.m. Oct. 20.

'Dead of Night' (1945)

This omnibus film of the uncanny — a sort of dry run for "The Twilight Zone" — includes several ghost stories. Best of all is the convalescing patient, and the ghostly hearse driver who calls up to him: "Just room for one inside sir!" Guess who, a week later, is driving the bus to take him home from the hospital. iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu.

'The Uninvited' (1944)

It sounds like a problem for Miss Manners. But it's actually a problem for Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey, whose lovely seaside house on the Cornwall coast is plagued by ghostly sobbing, inexplicable cold drafts, and the scent of Mimosa that was associated with the murderess who lived there years before. Hollywood's first attempt at a "serious" ghost movie — though mild by today's standards — still holds up pretty well. TCM 11:45 p.m. Oct. 20.

'Ghostbusters: Answer the Call' Was Actually a Better Reboot Than 'Afterlife'

Though some fans cried foul, the reboot was much truer to the original film.

The Big Picture

• Ghostbusters: Afterlife relies heavily on nostalgia, featuring numerous references and cameos from the original film, but fails to capture what made the original great.
• The film tries to turn the Ghostbusters series into a family story and a generational saga, distancing itself from the horror comedy tone of the original.
• Ghostbusters: Answer the Call is a better reboot as it embraces the comedic ensemble nature of the franchise, with distinct characters and a focus on humor and irony.

Much like the paranormal exterminators themselves, Jason Reitman ’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife tries its hardest to capture the spirit of the original Ghostbusters with a force far more powerful than any unlicensed nuclear accelerator: nostalgia. The bulk of Afterlife ’s runtime features an onslaught of glorified Easter eggs, references, and cameos tied to the Ivan Reitman original and its lore, vying to be the long-awaited Ghostbusters three-quel fans have asked for decades to see. What results is a film that exists more in rose-tinted fanboy reverence of the franchise than an attempt to embody what made the original classic great as a film, which it failed to do.

Set nearly 40 years after the fact, Afterlife serves as a direct sequel to the 1984 original and centers on the surviving family of Harold Ramis ’ Egon Spengler as they inherit his life’s work, lock, stock and proton pack. Through some strange supernatural happenings around her family’s new town, Spengler’s granddaughter Phoebe ( Mckenna Grace ) learns of her Ghostbusting heritage and rallies a team of misfits to once again stop Gozer the Gozerian from heralding a spectral apocalypse.

RELATED: Exploring the Long, Difficult Road to Making 'Ghostbusters 3'

What Does 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Get Wrong as a Sequel?

Indulgent call-backs aside, Ghostbusters: Afterlife 's biggest fault as a follow-up to its namesake is that it tries to turn the series into something it never was. The film’s insistence to tell a story of discovering family legacy positions the original film and the franchise as a whole as a generational saga akin to Star Wars worthy of an emotional conclusion. Much like Star Wars: The Force Awakens , Afterlife ‘s new generational cast attributes the Ghostbusters to famed hero status and the events of the original film to legend as Phoebe reconnects with the literal ghosts of her family’s past. The film is also more self-serious and full-heartedly sincere than the original, substituting skewed comic cynicism with a mix of action-adventure elements and family-drama.

As far as the original film was concerned, Ghostbusters was never meant to be a family story or a whimsical coming-of-age adventure, but a wall-to-wall horror comedy. The 1984 classic featured some of the most popular comic talent at the time popping wisecracks and working off each other’s egos while bumbling through a larger-than-life sci-fi horror story peppered with high-concept technobabble and memorable one-liners. While Afterlife was a film about Ghostbusters in name and iconography alone, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016) had a stronger grasp on the kind of tone and fun spirit a Ghostbusters film is supposed to be.

'Ghostbusters: Answer the Call' Is a Better Reboot

Answer the Call served as a reboot for the franchise as opposed to a canonical sequel and cast Melissa McCarthy , Kristen Wiig , Kate McKinnon , and Leslie Jones as a new proton-powered team pitted against a villainous plan that threatens to plunge the world into ghostly doom. The film infamously was drastically ill-received by fans and veritably broke the internet worse than a 50-foot rampaging marshmallow man stepping on a church. Although not without its fair share of shortcomings, Answer the Call better achieved the kind of tonal experience the Ghostbusters name should instill in its audience: fun.

Answer the Call understood that Ghostbusters is intended to be joke-a-minute ensemble comedy. The film tries hard and often to get a laugh out of its audience through dialogue, improv, and physical comedy. Regardless of if the jokes lands, the film still tries to be funny in every scene by the power of its characters. Much like the original, the cast is given distinct personalities and quirks that permit them to be foils to one another and work off each other in comedic ways, between McKinnon’s sadistic mania, Jones’ city-weary charm, Wiig’s good-natured awkwardness, and McCarthy’s no-nonsense dedication. Comedic personality and chemistry are what make the Ghostbusters a team worth watching and laughing with. Afterlife carried itself with about as much comedy as a typical modern blockbuster movie where the story and characters were largely played straight with only an occasional one-liner here and there amidst a half-serious adventure drama with Phoebe as the singular lead. Answer the Call , like the '84 original, is a comedy first and foremost.

A chief source of Ghostbusters ’ comedy as a plot is rooted in irony. The original 1984 film portrayed the team as degreed science professors working as blue-collar spectral exterminators facing down otherworldly threats. Answer the Call stems from that same kind of irony, but pushes it further by having the team’s overwhelming expertise work against them as their start-up science operation to save the world is not taken seriously by a public eager to deny and refute them. In Afterlife , the Ghostbusters as heralded as legendary heroes revered on the level of Jedi Knights, robbing the ironic mundanity of their profession.

'Ghostbusters: Answer the Call' Is Just More Fun

Apart from the comedy, Answer the Call also actively has more fun in its world-building than Afterlife . While Afterlife offers little in the way of new ghosts and gadgets to marvel at, barring the R/C mobile ghost trap and Muncher, Answer the Call introduces a whole slew of inventive new ways to bust a veritable world of new phantoms. Along with redesigning the familiar gadgets of the original such as PKE meters and proton packs, the film features the likes of proton grenades, ghost chippers, and gauntlets that lend themselves to fun new ways to subdue the paranormal. The ghosts themselves also range farther than in Afterlife and even the original by featuring demonic creatures, corporeal old-world spirits, evil parade balloons, and more in sequences that turn the art of ghostbusting into visceral combat. Afterlife reiterates the familiar threats of Zuul and Gozer and how they’re busted without much innovation aside from the Ecto-1's new mobile gunner seat . Answer the Call further expands on the possibilities of Ghostbusting by having fun in forging its own identity in how it is done.

In comparison to the original Ghostbusters , neither Afterlife or Answer the Call are perfect films, but they each succeed and fail the franchise in different ways. Afterlife is a solid blockbuster overall, but scarcely resembles the kind of film the original wanted to be. Answer the Call celebrated and homaged the creative energy of the original, but also featured comedy that didn’t quite click with die-hard fans. How each of these films pleased one audience while leaving the other unsatisfied — and how quick the studio was to renege on its reboot -- illustrates the power of nostalgia has on franchises today, for better and worse. Despite emulating the exact kind of film the original Ghostbusters always was in almost every way, Answer the Call left lifelong fans scorned and yearning for something to vindicate their years of wanting a third film to recapture their childhood. Afterlife more than accommodates by drenching itself in a fanboy-gaze infatuation with every little thing it could borrow from the original while telling a story grander than anything Reitman intended with the original. Whether in trying to retain the spirit of the original through emulation or duplication, fandom nostalgia is the Ghost Corps’ greatest asset and its worst enemy all at once.

First look at Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord DLC reveals ‘Gold Rush’ Proton Pack

• October 13, 2023

Pre-order Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – Full Containment Edition by Thursday, October 26, to claim the ‘Gold Rush’ Proton Pack

Today, on Friday, the thirteenth, Sony Pictures Virtual Reality (SPVR) has announced that players who pre-order  Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – Full Containment Edition on the PlayStation Store  or  Meta Quest Store  by October 26 will receive the exclusive  ‘Gold Rush’ Proton Pack  to use in-game. This is the first reveal in a robust DLC offering from Sony Pictures Virtual Reality and nDreams to continue to support the game for players long after launch.

Jake Zim, Senior Vice President of Virtual Reality Sony Pictures, provided comment on the reveal, teasing more surprises, saying:

“On this ghostly Friday the 13th, we have an exclusive scoop: the ‘Gold Rush’ Proton Pack is just step one in a long line of secret reveals we have in store for Ghostbusters fans. With this first chapter of content beginning to roll out at the launch for Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, there is so much more to come, so fire up your proton packs, GB fans!”

Alongside the ‘Gold Rush’ Proton Pack, pre-ordering the Full Containment Edition will grant access to 6 months’ worth of added DLC and bonus content at a discounted price, comprised of 4 Equipment Skins, 10 Additional Playable Avatars, Slimer Hunt feature & collectible, and even more surprises.

In other Rise o f the Ghost Lord news, as revealed as part of this year’s Meta Connect , a mini-game entitled Mini-Puft Mayhem will serve as an exclusive for Quest 3. In this mixed-reality experience, players will be tasked with eliminating the adorable yet mischievous confectionary threats with the help of ghostbusting gear, with our first look available here .

Available on October 26, pre-order Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – Full Containment Edition on the PlayStation Store  or  Meta Quest Store now.

NOW STREAMING: The Real Ghostbusters episode “Mrs. Roger’s Neighborhood”

Ghostbusters Tarot Deck gets delayed until next year

Funko to release Ghostbusters POP! vinyl of ‘Spengler’s Spirit’

Teaser poster for upcoming Ghostbusters sequel begins to arrive in theaters

New high-end Ghostbusters flight suit brand ‘EctoWear’ launches

Kevin Smith to host Ghostbusters screening this weekend in New Jersey

Jason Fitzsimmons

Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s chase scene gets recreated as an interactive experience

First look at Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed’s next free DLC update

Things get kinda humpy in our look at the new Ghostbusters Terror Dog costume

Ghostbusters: Afterlife artist introduces fans to the Ecto-1X in new art series

Episode 50 of Extraplasm Podcast is live with guest Craig Goldberg of Yes Have Some Podcast

New Necrohowler skins have been UNLEASHED in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed

Hasbro release teaser hyping “BIG” Ghostbusters reveal

Proton Charging founder Chris Stewart joins this week’s Halloween-fueled episode of Extraplasm Podcast

Samhain is back in new preview of Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition comes to Nintendo Switch next month, pre-orders launch for glow-in-the-dark physical release

Follow ghostbusters news.

Disclaimer: This website receives compensation through the use of third-party affiliate links. "Ghostbusters" and "Ghost-Design" are registered Trademarks of Columbia Pictures Ghost Corps (Sony Pictures)

Trending topics

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition

Releases 10/19/23

Select a product

This lets you pre-load the game, so you'll be able to play as soon as the game is released.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition will include the game and all four of the DLC Drops from 2023. This is a fun, multiplayer game perfect for all skill levels. Four proton pack wielding Ghostbusters attempt to catch a Ghost haunting unique locations in asymmetrical multiplayer battles (online or offline). As players progress, they will unlock cosmetics and upgrades for both Ghostbusters and Ghosts to evolve their gameplay experiences. The look and feel will deliver to fans an immersive experience in the universe, allowing them to play out their Ghostbusting fantasies. Whether hunting or haunting, the game is easy to learn and fun to master! This is an asymmetrical game of hide and seek. In true form to IllFonic’s past titles, this title is a 4v1 setup where players will either play as part of a team of new Ghostbusters or a singular Ghost. This game will allow players to enjoy the game solo or with up to four friends. It will have an online and offline single-player mode available in the form of bot assisted play. Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition has all the iconic gear and gadgets, from Proton Packs to PKE Meters and Ghost Traps, that fans would expect and new gamers to the universe will enjoy when playing as a Ghostbuster. Ghosts have multiple abilities in their arsenal, like possessing objects, of course sliming, and more, that make haunting all the various locations a blast to play. In addition, many will recognize the Firehouse and Ray’s Occult Books that act as the game’s hub. This is where players will choose missions, customize their characters, practice firing their proton packs, and explore all there is to learn. And yes, you will hear the original film actors reprising their roles as Ray Stantz and Winston Zeddemore, along with some new friends!

Software description provided by the publisher.

ESRB rating

Supported play modes, product information, release date, no. of players, game file size, supported languages.

Play online, access classic NES™ and Super NES™ games, and more with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

This game supports: Online Play Save Data Cloud

WARNING: If you have epilepsy or have had seizures or other unusual reactions to flashing lights or patterns, consult a doctor before playing video games. All users should read the Health and Safety Information available in the system settings before using this software.

Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online play. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply.  nintendo.com/switch-online

Ghostbusters TM & © 2023 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Game software excluding Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. elements: ©2023 IllFonic, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Developed by IllFonic, Inc. IllFonic® and the IllFonic Logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of IllFonic, Inc. throughout the world.

Sign in to add this item to your wishlist, follow it, or mark it as ignored

Sign in to see reasons why you may or may not like this based on your games, friends, and curators you follow.

Planned Release Date: 12 Dec, 2023

This game plans to unlock in approximately 7 weeks

About This Game

• Play together with friends, or with random dudes (Up to 4 people).
• Complete tasks together, earn money and exp together.

• Lots of different maps.
• Various tasks.
• Lots of equipment.
• Unique systems of using items.

System Requirements

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 10 64Bit
• Processor: AMD FX-4300
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: GTX 1650
• DirectX: Version 9.0c
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 5 GB available space
• Processor: Intel Core i5-10600 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: RTX 2060
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 20 GB available space

More like this

You can write your own review for this product to share your experience with the community. Use the area above the purchase buttons on this page to write your review.

You can use this widget-maker to generate a bit of HTML that can be embedded in your website to easily allow customers to purchase this game on Steam.

Enter up to 375 characters to add a description to your widget:

Copy and paste the HTML below into your website to make the above widget appear

Popular user-defined tags for this product: (?)

Sign in to add your own tags to this product.