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Ghostbusters Movies in Order
All five Ghostbusters movies in order. The 1984 original, its sequel, and the Afterlife/Frozen Empire legacy films share one timeline; the 2016 reboot stands alone.
Ghostbusters Movies in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Release order is the simplest way to watch Ghostbusters, and for this franchise it almost matches the story too. Start with the 1984 original directed by Ivan Reitman, follow with Ghostbusters II (1989), then jump straight to the legacy sequels Afterlife (2021) and Frozen Empire (2024). Those four films form a single continuity: Afterlife reveals that Egon Spengler quietly moved to Oklahoma, and the new Spengler family carries the torch forward into Frozen Empire's return to the original New York firehouse.
The one thing that trips people up is the 2016 film, also titled simply Ghostbusters. Directed by Paul Feig and starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, it is a full reboot in its own separate universe. It does not connect to the 1984 timeline at all, so you can watch it before, after, or skip it entirely without missing anything in the main story. We list it in release order for completeness, but it is the franchise's only true standalone.
That gives you two viewing paths. Release order plays all five films by year and is the default. The main-timeline path drops the 2016 reboot and gives you the four-film through-line: 1984, II, Afterlife, Frozen Empire. Either works; the timeline path is cleaner if you only care about the original cast and their successors.
Fans of this kind of legacy-sequel structure will recognize the playbook from Star Wars and the Jurassic Park to Jurassic World handoff, where original heroes pass the franchise to a younger generation. The optional animated series The Real Ghostbusters expands the 1984 universe but is not required viewing.
Timeline 1984–2024
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
- Available to rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play
- Streaming availability rotates; check JustWatch for current services
- 4K Blu-ray and DVD box sets collect the films
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Ghostbusters movies are there?
There are five live-action Ghostbusters films: the 1984 original, Ghostbusters II (1989), the 2016 reboot, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024).
What order should I watch Ghostbusters in?
Watch in release order: Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). The 2016 film is a standalone reboot you can watch separately or skip.
Is the 2016 Ghostbusters connected to the others?
No. The 2016 film is a complete reboot set in its own continuity with a different cast. It does not connect to the 1984 timeline, so you can skip it without missing the main story.
Do Afterlife and Frozen Empire continue the original movies?
Yes. Both are legacy sequels that continue directly from the 1984 and 1989 films. Afterlife introduces Egon Spengler's family, and Frozen Empire brings the story back to the original New York firehouse.
Which Ghostbusters movies share a continuity?
Four films share one timeline: Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989), Afterlife (2021), and Frozen Empire (2024). The 2016 reboot is its own separate universe.
Do I need to watch The Real Ghostbusters animated series?
No. The Real Ghostbusters animated series expands the 1984 universe but is entirely optional and not required to follow the films.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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