Where Can You Watch The 1984 Ghostbusters?

A sequel to "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" is currently in the works, slated for a release in December of 2023. "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" holds a unique place in the "Ghostbusters" franchise, chronologically following the 2016 "Ghostbusters" hard reboot, but serving as a sequel to "Ghostbusters 2" from 1989.

Overall, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" is something of a mixed bag, though it could be argued that it's the second-best "Ghostbusters" movie after the original. "Ghostbusters," in fact, draws inspiration from Dan Aykroyd's family history, adapting supernatural work of the "Ghostbusters" star's great-grandfather Samuel Aykroyd into a decidedly fantastical setting. While Dan Aykroyd isn't building upon his great-grandfather's legacy directly, he not only drew from his family's unique lineage while writing the "Ghostbusters" screenplay, but maintains a belief in supernatural phenomena.

Between its relationship to Aykroyd's interest in the paranormal, its place at the top of the "Ghostbusters" movie hierarchy, and its relevance to the upcoming "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" sequel, then, there are multiple reasons for present-day viewers to check out the first "Ghostbusters" film. Here's where the original 1984 "Ghosbusters" is available to stream online.

The original "Ghostbusters" movie, which premiered in 1984, is a comedy classic. While it's not necessarily as joke-heavy as some other films that helped define the era in which it was released, its cast pairs comedy legends Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis with legendary dramatic actors including Sigourney Weaver and Ernie Hudson for a uniquely zany cinematic adventure.

For those interested in streaming the 1984 "Ghostbusters" film today, the most direct way to do so is on HBO Max, where it's available to subscribers at no additional cost. "Ghostbusters 2" is also included with an HBO Max subscription, though neither the 2016 "Ghostbusters" or "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" are a part of the streaming service's catalog.

Meanwhile, those without HBO Max uninterested in subscribing to a new streaming service can buy or rent the film for a low fee on a variety of digital marketplaces. A page on the Roku website for the movie comparing rental prices across each of the major platforms reveals that the lowest price to watch "Ghostbusters" à la carte is a $2.79 rental through Amazon. The movie is also available through Vudu, Redbox, and Apple for marginally higher fees. Nearly forty years after its release, then, "Ghostbusters" is readily available online for anyone interested in revisiting the 1984 classic.