Ghostbusters (1984)
They're here to save the world.
After losing their university jobs, three parapsychologists start a ghost-catching business in New York City and uncover a supernatural threat that could destroy the world.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 8 June 1984 |
| Genre | Comedy, Fantasy |
| Director | Ivan Reitman |
| Starring | Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis |
| Runtime | 105 min |
| Rated | PG |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 8.1/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 95% · Metacritic 71/100 · TMDB users 7.5/10 |
| Budget | $30 million |
| Box office | $295 million worldwide |
Where to watch Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is streaming on Hulu ($18.99 a month) in the US. It is also on Fubo. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Hulu is $18.99 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 19 October 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
Where to watch Ghostbusters in 51 other countries
| Country | Streaming on (price a month) |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Netflix |
| Andorra | Netflix |
| Antigua & Barbuda | Max |
| Argentina | Max $9590 ARS |
| Australia | Binge $19.00 AUD, Foxtel, ARD/ZDF |
| Bahamas | Max |
| Barbados | Max |
| Belize | Max |
| Bolivia | Max |
| Brazil | Max R$34.90 |
| Chile | Max $9590 CLP |
| Colombia | Max $24900 COP |
| Costa Rica | Max |
| Denmark | Viaplay 289 kr DKK |
| Dominican Republic | Max |
| Ecuador | Max $8.29 |
| El Salvador | Max |
| Finland | Viaplay €13.99 |
| France | Netflix €14.99 |
| French Guiana | Netflix |
| French Polynesia | Netflix |
| Guatemala | Max |
| Guyana | Max |
| Honduras | Max |
| Iceland | Netflix 1900 kr ISK, Viaplay |
| Ireland | Skygo |
| Italy | Skygo, Now TV |
| Jamaica | Max |
| Japan | Prime Video ¥600 JPY, Hulu, U-NEXT ¥2189 JPY |
| Mauritius | Netflix |
| Mexico | Max $149 MXN |
| Monaco | Netflix |
| Morocco | Netflix |
| Nicaragua | Max |
| Norway | Viaplay 159 kr NOK |
| Panama | Max $8.29 |
| Paraguay | Max |
| Peru | Max S/35.90 |
| Portugal | Netflix €12.99 |
| South Korea | Netflix ₩13500, Watcha |
| Spain | Netflix €13.99 |
| St. Lucia | Max |
| Sweden | Viaplay 169 kr SEK |
| Switzerland | Netflix CHF22.90 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | Max |
| Tunisia | Netflix |
| Turks & Caicos Islands | Max |
| United Kingdom | Skygo |
| Uruguay | Max $U399 |
| Vatican City | Prime Video |
| Venezuela | Max |
Subscription, free and ad-supported services we track. All countries as data.
What kind of watch this is
Ghostbusters is a 105-minute comedy about three parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York. Ivan Reitman directs the film. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis play the leads. The tagline, "They're here to save the world," does a lot of heavy lifting. It is a time capsule of 1984 pop culture.
What the critics said
Critics largely agreed on the appeal, though they disagreed on the execution. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 95% Tomatometer score as of January 2026, while Metacritic lands on 71 out of 100. Roger Ebert called it a rare success in blending big effects with "sly" dialogue. Joseph Gelmis viewed the Ghostbusters as an adolescent fantasy, comparing their firehouse base to the Batcave. The consensus praised Bill Murray’s physical comedy, even as some found the apocalyptic finale overblown. The effects served the actors, not the other way around, which is the trick.
How it did with audiences
It cost $30 million and pulled in $295 million worldwide. In the United States, it earned $244 million. On TMDB, users rate it 7.5 out of 10. The numbers suggest the audience was ready to pay for a ghost story, even if the ghosts were just a few guys in jumpsuits.
What came next for the cast
Bill Murray traded Caddyshack for Groundhog Day. Sigourney Weaver moved from Alien to the Avatar franchise. Dan Aykroyd went from Blues Brothers to Pixels. Harold Ramis followed Stripes with Knocked Up. These paths diverged. The credits list what happened, but they cannot prove the film caused it.
Where it left its mark
The film helped refine the blockbuster label, blending comedy, science fiction, horror, and thrills into a new genre. It proved Star Wars’ merchandising wasn’t a fluke, establishing a brand spin-off model that became industry standard. Studios extended its life via TV and merchandise once its popularity was clear. Observers credit the movie with reversing New York City’s negative image in the early 1980s. Weaver called it a love letter to New York, pointing to the doorman and the cheering crowds. It also helped break down the barrier between television and film actors. Director Ivan Reitman noted it gave kids a sense of control over their fears of death and ghosts.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Ghostbusters.
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Sources
- Ghostbusters on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q108745 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Ghostbusters” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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