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Ghostbusters (1984)

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Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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Storyline

Three odd-ball scientists get kicked out of their cushy positions at a university in New York City where they studied the occult. They decide to set up shop in an old firehouse and become Ghostbusters, trapping pesky ghosts, spirits, haunts, and poltergeists for money. They wise-crack their way through the city, and stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, one which will release untold evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters are called on to save the Big Apple. Written by Greg Bole <bole@life.bio.sunysb.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

They ain't afraid of no ghost. See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Official Sites:

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Release Date:

8 June 1984 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Ghostbusters  »

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$13,612,564 (USA) (8 June 1984)

Gross:

$229,242,989 (USA) (12 September 2014)
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Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When Janine is interviewing Winston for the job, the scene originally began with Winston listing his qualifications. According to Ivan Reitman in the DVD commentary, Winston's qualifications included: An Army veteran (which meant he would have the courage to face ghosts), a former paramedic (which meant he would be able to go on call 'at a moment's notice') and that he was also a construction worker. They decided to open with Janine's questioning instead as it was considered a funnier opening. Incidentally, in the cartoon series, The Real Ghostbusters (1986), there is an episode where the Ghostbusters fight spirits on a construction site run by Winston's father and he chides Winston for quiting the construction business to become a Ghostbuster. See more »

Goofs

As the camera pans down on the rooftop when the gargoyles come alive, the soundstage floor can briefly be seen at the bottom left corner [Widescreen version only] See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. Peter Venkman: All right, I'm gonna turn over the next card. Concentrate... I want you to tell me what you think it is.
See more »

Crazy Credits

There are no opening credits for this film, other than the title. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Ein Supertrio: Nusumareta I love you (1984) See more »

Soundtracks

I CAN WAIT FOREVER
Written by Graham Russell, David Foster and Jay Graydon
Produced by David Foster and Jay Graydon
Performed by Air Supply
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

Film Has Endured the 80's and Stayed Sharp Through the 90's
12 October 1999 | by (Philadelphia, PA) – See all my reviews

Bill Murray is one of the best wise guys in the business. I was amazed to find out on the GHOSTBUSTERS 15th Anniversary DVD that Murray had little to do with the dialogue his classicly blase, fiercely cynical 'Dr. Venkman' cuts loose throughout this good comedy. Credit Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis with "getting into Bill's mind" as Ramis puts it and presenting Murray with a gag-a-second character. Murray also lends his own comic genius through his delivery and facial gestures (especially with his classic cross-eyed, curled-lip look). Together with a fun premise and above average special effects, GHOSTBUSTERS will never be a relic of the 80's and should always be a refreshingly humorous spook show.

Murray rules the screen, mauling his geeky para-psychologist partners and hitting on a young blonde while conducting shock therapy experiments on her. Aykroyd uses his standard machine gun delivery of obscure (or should I say made up) facts and anecdotes and Ramis is just enough for the ultra-dork 'Egon'. The funniest element in GHOSTBUSTERS happens to be Rick Moranis in a splendid role as a small-time accountant who has parties for clients only and becomes mixed up in some extremely supernatural events. Along with Sigourney Weaver, Moranis has the most difficult physical tasks to topple.

This was a picture I loved when I was a kid. I must have went some 12 to 15 years before I saw it again and I was alarmingly impressed. It has endured. The special effects are not only good, but they are comedic and add even more laughs throughout the 'Busters turbulent jobs. The DVD version has tons of goodies included and is an essential addition to any Saturday Night Live fan's movie library. SNL is the very essence and reason for GHOSTBUSTERS, where Murray and Aykroyd starred. Director Ivan Reitman created his meal ticket here and can pretty much do any comedy he wants now.

It is a shame John Belushi was not around to play one of the 'Busters, for he was originally cast. The movie is already well-paced and engaging so just imagine how frenzied the pace would have been with Belushi. Regardless, GHOSTBUSTERS is one for the kids, teens, and adults alike. It has spanned these phases for me and still works wonderfully.

RATING: ***


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