How to Watch All Ghostbusters Movies in Order?

The Ghostbusters films feature a perfect mixture of humor and the supernatural, which is why the franchise is so popular among the global fandom. Over the years, we have got several Ghostbusters films. Irrespective of whether the movies were hit or flop, hardcore fans of the franchise want to watch it all. That being said, it may be hard for new fans to figure out the correct watch order to watch the movies. Well, here is how to watch Ghostbusters movies in order.

How Many Ghostbusters Movies Are There?

There are five Ghostbusters movies for the time being. While fans believed the 2024’s Frozen Empire to be the final film of the franchise, the director spilled beans on the future projects in an interview. However, we do not have any information about the upcoming Ghostbusters film yet; be it the title, release window, or cast, everything is a mystery for now.

Ghostbusters Movies in Chronological Order

The films don’t need to come out chronologically. For instance, at times, the prequel stories are told after the sequel. So, if you want to watch the Ghostbusters movies in chronological order, you may follow the below list:

• Ghostbusters
• Ghostbusters II
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife 
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
• Ghostbusters: Answer The Call

1. Ghostbusters (1984)

• Release Date: June 8, 1984
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.8/95%
• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis

Created by Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis, Ghostbusters was released in 1984. It is considered one of the best in the horror comedy genre to date. While the film gives you plenty of reasons to laugh at its ludicrous storyline, it also does give you goosebumps with its supernatural elements. Moreover, with the amazing characters, special effects, and catchy opening theme, this movie never feels dull, even for a minute.

After getting thrown out of Columbia University, the parapsychologists Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler start a paranormal investigation and elimination service in New York City. Their business makes them encounter several ghosts and spirits, but the real threat comes when they collide with Gozer the Gozerian, the god of destruction.

2. Ghostbusters II (1989)

• Release Date: June 16, 1989
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/55%
• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts

Ghostbusters II takes place five years after the events of the first film. Despite being the sequel to an outstanding film, Ghostbusters II didn’t succeed at the box office. Unlike the original film, the sequel delved deeper heavily into the comedy elements that overshadowed the spookiness of the film at times. Besides that, the main enemy that the trio stumbled upon in the first film was much more impactful if compared to the supernatural villain in the 1989 film.

Following the destruction that happened in the original film, Ghostbusters II sees the main trio getting barred from paranormal investigations and their business being shut. However, they have to reunite once again as a new threat emerges from the shadow.

3. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

• Release Date: November 19, 2021
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/63%
• Director: Jason Reitman
• Starring: Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson, Paul Rudd

Directed by the original director’s son, Jason Reitman, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is set thirty years after the events of the second film of the franchise. The film sees a new set of cast, including some popular faces such as Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coonand more. Intriguingly, the original cast returns either in the supporting roles or cameo appearances. Like the 1989 film, it also didn’t live up to the hype, but still, it became a commercial success and received mixed reviews.

After the death of Egon Spengler, his estranged daughter shifts to the farm that she inherited from him with her two children, Pheobe and Trevor. After Pheobe realizes that the farm is haunted, she seeks help from Gary, who has been a die-hard fan of the Ghostbusters. Interestingly, Paul Rudd’s character in FRIENDS TV show fell in love with Pheobe. And, well, Paul Rudd’s character in this film also ends up helping a character named Pheobe.

4. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

• Release Date: March 22, 2024
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.1/42%
• Director: Gil Kenan
• Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O’Connor, James Acaster, Logan Kim, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, William Atherton

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire takes place three years after the previous entry on the list. The majority of the cast from the 2021 film returned, and the ones from the original film also appeared in the supporting roles. Despite boasting a nostalgic feel, the film couldn’t perform well and ended up becoming the lowest-ranked movie of the horror comedy franchise. It was the balanced horror and comedy elements that made the 1984 movie a smash hit at the box office. However, this film couldn’t pull off that essence.

After their encounter with the supernatural enemy in Ghostbuster: Afterlife, Gary, Trevor, Pheobe, Callie, and their friends shift to New York, from where it all began. They join forces with the original Ghostbusters and start re-establishing the ghost elimination service that was founded by our iconic trio: Ray, Egon, and Peter.

5. Ghostbusters: Answer The Call (2016)

• Release Date: July 15, 2016
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8/74%
• Director: Paul Feig
• Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael K. Williams, Chris Hemsworth

Ghostbusters: Answer The Call is a female-driven reboot of the 1984 film that came after the 1989 film. Taking place in a parallel reality, this film features a storyline similar to the original film. The film majorly received negative reviews and ended up seeing a $70 million loss at the box office.

It follows an all-girl Ghostbusters team that aims to capture ghosts and spirits to protect New York City from supernatural threats. Like the 2021 and 2024 films, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call also sees the original cast appearing in cameo roles.

Ghostbusters Movies in Release Order

While some fans want to watch the movies in chronological order, there is always someone who wants to experience them the way they were released. So, here, we have listed the Ghostbusters movies in the order they were released.

• Ghostbusters (1984)
• Ghostbusters II (1989)
• Ghostbusters: Answer The Call (2016)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)