Ghostbusters Fans Agree The Original 1984 Film Reigns Supreme In The Franchise

The "Ghostbusters" franchise exploded in popularity following the release of the 1984 original, leading it to become a multimedia juggernaut. Animated shows and comics found a foothold in their respective realms, and multiple cinematic sequels reached the big screen. "Ghostbusters 2" premiered in 1989, a reboot of the series made it to cinemas in 2016, and a third movie in the original continuity, titled "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," arrived in 2021. Still, try as they might, none of them have surpassed the film that started it all in the eyes of most "Ghostbusters" fans.

For evidence of this enduring love for the '80s classic, look no further than the "Ghostbusters" fan community on Reddit. In a thread by u/Skeleton_Warrior, they implored their fellow fans to give their personal rankings of the "Ghostbusters" movies from best to worst. Just about everyone in the thread had the first installment at the top of their lists, though their follow-up rankings varied. This isn't a one-off occurrence, either, seeing as folks in a separate thread by u/sostitanic provided similar lists with "Ghostbusters" at the top.

While it's certainly difficult to top the first "Ghostbusters" movie, and most seem to agree that no film after it has, that doesn't mean that the powers that be aren't going to continue trying.

"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" hit the silver screen in November 2021, giving fans of the series the threequel they'd waited decades for. It has comedy, heart, and no shortage of ghosts, in addition to a touching tribute to the late Dr. Egon Spengler actor Harold Ramis. Not to mention, fan-favorite actors Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and Annie Potts return to the comedy franchise in their respective roles. Still, for as grand as "Afterlife" turned out to be, most fans don't think it beats the original "Ghostbusters," but that's not stopping the creatives behind the third film from keeping the saga alive.

Yes, following the success of "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," Sony has its sights set on another paranormal adventure. In December 2022, it came to light that an "Afterlife" sequel is coming together, this time with Gil Kenan in the director's chair, replacing Jason Reitman. It's expected that most of the ensemble cast will return. The "Afterlife" continuation went into production in March 2023, with Reitman and Kenan commemorating the occasion via a Twitter post. Therefore, it stands to reason we won't have to wait too long to see where this follow-up ranks with fans among the host of other "Ghostbusters" features.

At the end of the day, "Ghostbusters" turned out to be the little engine that could. Through trial and error, it has become a multi-million dollar entertainment titan recognized and beloved the world over. And to think, it all began with a grimy, slightly mature, rough-around-the-edges comedy from the mid-1980s — a film most agree is still the best of the bunch.