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Ghostbusters watch order

Ghostbusters movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), then Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Frozen Empire (2024), which follow Egon Spengler's family. The 2016 Ghostbusters is a separate reboot, and The Real Ghostbusters cartoon is optional.

How to watch the Ghostbusters movies in order: the full guide

All 6 films and series in the Ghostbusters franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Ghostbusters (1984); the first in chronological order is Ghostbusters (set in New York).

Release order

  1. Ghostbusters (Movie, 1984): The original team in New York.
  2. The Real Ghostbusters (Series, 1986): The cartoon continuation; optional.
  3. Ghostbusters II (Movie, 1989): The team reunites five years later.
  4. Ghostbusters (Movie, 2016): A standalone reboot.
  5. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Movie, 2021): Egon's grandchildren in Oklahoma.
  6. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Movie, 2024): Both generations together in New York.

Chronological order

  1. Ghostbusters (set in New York): The original team in New York.
  2. The Real Ghostbusters (set in New York): The cartoon continuation; optional.
  3. Ghostbusters II (set in Five years later): The team reunites five years later.
  4. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (set in Summerville, Oklahoma): Egon's grandchildren in Oklahoma.
  5. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (set in New York): Both generations together in New York.
  6. Ghostbusters (set in New York): A standalone reboot.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Ghostbusters movies in?

Watch Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), then Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Frozen Empire (2024), which follow Egon Spengler's family. The 2016 Ghostbusters is a separate reboot, and The Real Ghostbusters cartoon is optional.

How many Ghostbusters movies and shows are there?

There are 6 titles in the Ghostbusters franchise: 5 films and 1 series, released from 1984 to 2024.

How long does it take to watch all the Ghostbusters movies?

About 68 hours for all 6 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (5 titles) take about 9 hours.

What is the first Ghostbusters title in chronological order?

Ghostbusters, set in New York. In release order the first is Ghostbusters (1984).

Which Ghostbusters titles can I skip?

The Real Ghostbusters. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.