Ghostbusters
Movie, 1984, The original team, Set in New York
Ghostbusters is #1 of 6 in release order and #1 of 6 in chronological order in the Ghostbusters.
The story
After losing their university jobs, three parapsychologists start a ghost-catching business in New York City and uncover a supernatural threat that could destroy the world.
Ghostbusters recap
Columbia University parapsychologists Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler are thrown out of the university and start a ghost removal business in an old firehouse, with Janine Melnitz on reception. Their first job, catching a slimy green ghost at a hotel, makes them famous, and they hire Winston Zeddemore as business booms. Their client Dana Barrett finds a demon in her fridge saying "Zuul", and Peter pursues her. Egon warns that the city's spiritual energy is building toward something huge. Dana is possessed by Zuul, the Gatekeeper, and her neighbour Louis by Vinz Clortho, the Keymaster. Walter Peck of the Environmental Protection Agency shuts down the containment grid, releasing every ghost they have caught, and the Ghostbusters are arrested. Their building turns out to be a giant antenna designed to summon the god Gozer.
Ghostbusters ending explained
The mayor frees the Ghostbusters, and they climb Dana's building to face Gozer, who tells them to choose the form of the destroyer. Ray thinks of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and a giant one stomps through the city. The team crosses the streams of their proton packs at the gate, destroying Gozer and blowing up the Marshmallow Man. Dana and Louis are freed, and the crowd cheers as the team drives off.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is streaming on Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Fandango at Home Free in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 95%
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before The Real Ghostbusters.
- Chronological order: first, before The Real Ghostbusters.
What to watch before Ghostbusters
Nothing. Ghostbusters is the first of the Ghostbusters essentials, so it's the place to start.
Cast
- Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman
- Dan Aykroyd as Dr. Raymond Stantz
- Harold Ramis as Dr. Egon Spengler
- Sigourney Weaver as Dana Barrett
- Rick Moranis as Louis Tully
- Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore
- Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz
- William Atherton as Walter Peck
- David Margulies as Mayor
- Slavitza Jovan as Gozer
- Alice Drummond as Librarian
- Jordan Charney as Dean Yager
Directed by Ivan Reitman.