Ghostbusters: More films in development!

Although the sequel "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" flopped at the box office this year, Sony still seems to believe in the series' potential. Further "Ghostbusters" films are currently in development.

In an exclusive interview with Russ Milheim from The Direct, director Gil Kenan emphasized that the franchise will continue.

"We definitely are continuing the conversation of telling big Ghostbuster stories on the big screen".

They would continue to take the legacy that the franchise brings with it seriously. In this context, the upcoming "Ghostbusters" animated series on Netflix could play a central role. The animated series will not only ease the transition to new stories, but also bridge the gap between the classic and modern elements of the "Ghostbusters" world. Kenan hinted that the animated series will include stories that seamlessly intersect with the popular "Ghostbusters" narratives.

Although there is currently no more detailed information on the story of the new films, there is of course the opportunity to concentrate fully on the Spengler family now and finally give the old hands around Bill Murray their retirement. Many fans have been calling for the franchise to finally break away from its old roots and tell new stories. It remains to be seen what this will look like in the end.

The Ghostbusters films: An overview of the cult franchise

Since their debut in 1984, the 'Ghostbusters' films have been one of the most influential and popular comedy and fantasy franchises in film history. With their unique blend of humor, adventure and the supernatural, they have thrilled generations of fans and left a legacy that has lost none of its appeal even after almost four decades. In this article, we take a look at all the Ghostbusters films to date and their significance to pop culture.

Ghostbusters (1984)

The first "Ghostbusters" film, which was released in cinemas in 1984, was a resounding success and remains the classic of the franchise to this day. Directed by Ivan Reitman and with a screenplay by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, the film told the story of four scientists who set up a company to hunt ghosts. The movie was revolutionary in its way of combining science, comedy and supernatural elements.

The cast consisted of Bill Murray (Dr. Peter Venkman) , Dan Aykroyd (Dr. Ray Stantz) , Harold Ramis (Dr. Egon Spengler) and Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore) , all of whom became icons of the film. The plot revolved around the four men who had to stand up to paranormal phenomena in New York City. The film offered viewers not only great special effects for the time, but also some of the most memorable dialog in the history of comedies.

A particular success of the film was its soundtrack, especially the theme song "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. which became a worldwide hit. The film itself was a box office hit and grossed almost 300 million dollars worldwide. Ghostbusters quickly established itself as a cult classic and paved the way for future sequels and expansions.

Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

Five years after the success of the first film, "Ghostbusters 2" was released in cinemas in 1989. The plot followed on from the events of the first film: After defeating the demon Gozer, the Ghostbusters have fallen from grace and closed their ghost hunting company. But when a new supernatural enemy – Vigo, the Carpathian – appears, the Ghostbusters have to pull out their proton blasters again.

Despite similar comedy and the reunion with the original cast, "Ghostbusters 2" was less commercially successful than the first film. Many critics saw the second part as a repeat of the first without much innovation. Nevertheless, this film also has its own fan base and some iconic moments - especially the famous scene in which the Statue of Liberty marches through New York.

Ghostbusters (2016)

After decades of speculation about a sequel to the franchise, a new version of "Ghostbusters" hit cinemas in 2016 – this time with an all-female cast. Director Paul Feig took the helm, and the new ghostbusters were played by Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.

The movie was not intended as a sequel, but as a reboot of the series. The plot was largely a reinterpretation of the original: a group of female scientists form a company to combat paranormal activity while a new threat hovers over New York.

Despite some positive reviews, the movie received a mixed reception from many Ghostbusters fans. Some critics complained that the film couldn't match the charm and humor of the original, while others praised the reimagining and saw it as a fresh take on the franchise. Although the film was not a flop at the box office, it did not achieve the box office results that had been hoped for.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

In 2021, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" was released, a film that took the franchise back to its roots while building a bridge to the new generation. It was directed by Jason Reitman, the son of Ivan Reitman, the director of the original. The film ignored the events of the 2016 reboot and continued the storyline of the second film from 1989.

The story revolves around the family of Egon Spengler, played by Harold Ramis, who passed away before the film was shot in 2014. His daughter and grandchildren discover his legacy and learn about the existence of the Ghostbusters and the paranormal threats they once faced. The film is aimed at both nostalgics and new audiences and contains numerous allusions and homages to the original films.

"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" was largely popular with fans and critics and was hailed as a respectful sequel to the original. The connection to the original cast –including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson – was cited by many as the emotional high point of the movie.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

The latest film in the "Ghostbusters" franchise is "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire", which was released in March 2024. This film once again focuses on the Spengler family, this time with a greater focus on the legacy and future of the Ghostbusters. The plot takes the Spengler family to New York City, where they must face off against an apocalyptic threat in the form of Garraka, a demonic spirit who wants to freeze the world.

Despite high expectations and an impressive cast including Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon, the film received mixed reviews and grossed 201 million dollars worldwide – on a production budget of 100 million dollars.