Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire started slowly at the box office but ultimately grossed over $100 million domestically, indicating that the franchise still has potential. Some may refer to this as the fourth Ghostbusters film, but it is actually the fifth, as Paul Feig’s reboot must be considered. While critics have been lukewarm towards Gil Kenan’s contribution to the franchise, fans seem to appreciate the film, which gives the original Ghostbusters more prominent roles. This led me to ponder: what are the best Ghostbusters films? Therefore, I compiled my Ghostbusters Movies Ranked list. I anticipate some debate, so feel free to share your thoughts on this list in the comments below – even if you disagree. Please note that this list is arranged from worst to best.
Ghostbusters (2016):
To clarify my stance: I didn’t dislike Paul Feig’s female-led reboot as much as many others did. This film sparked one of the most heated debates here on JoBlo, and after giving it a mildly positive review, I received angry emails for years! I’m serious. Even now, I occasionally receive comments on YouTube stating, “We can’t trust this guy because he liked Feig’s Ghostbusters.” However, it was a misguided idea. I don’t understand why Sony decided to remake the original film with an all-female cast; it was almost guaranteed to fail at the box office due to the politicized discourse surrounding it. I genuinely believe this could have performed well had it adhered to the original Ghostbusters canon. Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones all put forth commendable efforts here, and Chris Hemsworth is amusing as their clueless secretary, but it was destined for failure from the start.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024):
In my review, I rated this a 6/10; however, I might have been “a little” too harsh since some Ghostbusters fanatic friends of mine dragged me along earlier this week and I actually enjoyed watching it with an audience. Do I consider it a great movie? No; there is excessive world-building involved. Nonetheless, Dan Aykroyd’s extended role is heartfelt and the conclusion reuniting the original Ghostbusters brought a smile to my face.
Ghostbusters 2 (1989):
For a long time, it was commonly believed that this was a poor sequel; however, that is not true at all. While it doesn’t quite measure up to the original film, it contains some memorable moments. The first third of the movie is genuinely excellent as we witness the now broke and depressed Ghostbusters struggling to make ends meet. Bill Murray excels in portraying Venkman as a washed-up TV psychic host. Additionally, Venkman’s realistically shabby New York City apartment—with empty beer bottles scattered beside his bed—effectively illustrates his depression since Sigourney Weaver’s Dana left him (I can relate). However, they made a significant error by not bringing back Elmer Bernstein for the score. I believe that if this film had included the classic Ghostbusters themes, it would have been received much more favorably. I also appreciate the romantic subplot between Rick Moranis’s Louis and Annie Potts’ Janine.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021):
One reason I appreciated Afterlife so much is that Jason Reitman perfectly captured the right tone by providing a genuine sense of threat while also creating a delightful American Graffiti meets Ghostbusters atmosphere that resonated with me. The conclusion—where the original characters reunite with Egon’s ghost—was emotionally impactful for me; I truly believe this is an underrated film. If you aim to reboot a series by introducing new characters without alienating long-time fans, this serves as an excellent example. Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, and Mckenna Grace are fantastic additions to the franchise… and Olivia Wilde’s cameo is pretty cool too.
Ghostbusters:
Did anyone genuinely wonder what my choice for the best Ghostbusters movie would be? Fact is that Ghostbusters (1984) is a masterpiece; it strikes an ideal balance between comedy and horror so effectively that it inspired numerous imitators who could never replicate Ivan Reitman’s success. The score is outstanding; the soundtrack is phenomenal; and the cast is exceptional—Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, Sigourney Weaver, William Atherton and Annie Potts are all incredible. (And let’s not overlook that performance by the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.) If you’ve never seen this film in theaters before, I highly recommend seizing any opportunity to watch it with an audience if possible. I’ll never forget experiencing it at TIFF a few years ago with Bill Murray himself in attendance—it was magical.
So there you have it! What would your rankings be for the movies in the Ghostbusters franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
