The Real Ghostbusters
Series, 1986, The original team, Set in New York
The Real Ghostbusters is #2 of 6 in release order and #2 of 6 in chronological order in the Ghostbusters.
The story
The continuing adventures of paranormal investigators Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, their secretary Janine Melnitz and their mascot ghost Slimer.
The Real Ghostbusters recap
This animated series continues the adventures of Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston after the first film, with Janine running the office and Slimer, the green ghost from the hotel, now living in the firehouse as a mischievous pet. Episodes are mostly standalone: the team traps ghosts, demons and monsters around New York and the world, from bogeymen and ancient gods to creatures from the works of H. P. Lovecraft, often with Peter cracking jokes, Ray explaining the lore and Egon inventing new gear. An EPA inspector, Walter Peck, returns in some episodes. From the fourth season the show was retitled Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters, adding shorter comic segments starring Slimer, and Louis Tully joins the cast as the team's accountant. Later seasons tie in to Ghostbusters II.
The Real Ghostbusters ending explained
The series has no single finale: it ran from 1986 to 1991, ending with more standalone ghost-busting episodes rather than a closing story. Its events sit loosely alongside the films, and Extreme Ghostbusters (1997) later continued the idea with Egon training a new team.
Where to watch The Real Ghostbusters
The Real Ghostbusters is streaming on Tubi in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.6/10
Where it fits
- Release order: after Ghostbusters, before Ghostbusters II.
- Chronological order: after Ghostbusters, before Ghostbusters II.
What to watch before The Real Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters (1984), which The Real Ghostbusters (1986) continues. The Real Ghostbusters itself is optional in the Ghostbusters order.
Cast
- Maurice LaMarche as Egon Spengler (voice)
- Frank Welker as Ray Stantz / Slimer (voice)
- Arsenio Hall as Winston Zeddemore (voice)
- Lorenzo Music as Peter Venkman (voice)
- Laura Summer as Janine Melnitz (voice)
- Dave Coulier as Peter Venkman (voice)
- Kath Soucie as Janine Melnitz (voice)
- Buster Jones as Winston Zeddemore (voice)
- Rodger Bumpass as Grundel / Mr. Meredith (voice)
- Charlie Adler as Genie / Newspaper Boy (voice)
- B.J. Ward as Receptionist (voice)
- Bill Martin as Sandman (voice)
Created by Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis.