Ghostbusters

Year: 1984

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Ivan Reitman

Budget: $30M

Sci-FiFantasyComedy

When supernatural disturbances plague New York City, three parapsychologists develop a ghost-detecting device and start a business to combat the growing threat. Joined by a fourth colleague, they face a hilarious and increasingly dangerous battle against a surge of otherworldly forces and a powerful ancient evil threatening to engulf Manhattan. The team’s inventive approach and comedic antics redefine action-comedy and capture the imagination of audiences.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Ghostbusters yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Ghostbusters (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ghostbusters (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

New York Public Library, Columbia University, Sedgwick Hotel, New York City

The movie is primarily set in New York City, with significant scenes at the iconic New York Public Library, known for its impressive architecture and vast collection of books. Columbia University serves as the workplace for the Ghostbusters, representing a hub of knowledge and paranormal research. The Sedgwick Hotel provides a backdrop for their first thrilling ghost capture, adding to the mystique of the city. Overall, New York City is depicted as a vibrant and chaotic environment teeming with supernatural occurrences.

📚 Library 🎓 University 🏨 Hotel 🌆 City

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:19

Main Characters – Ghostbusters (1984)

Meet the key characters of Ghostbusters (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:19

Major Themes – Ghostbusters (1984)

Explore the central themes of Ghostbusters (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:19

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Sci-Fi Comedies with Goofy Inventors like Ghostbusters

Eccentric scientists use bizarre gadgets to save the day with hilarious results.If you liked the eccentric scientists and their improvised gadgets in Ghostbusters, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection features other comedies where unconventional geniuses use their hilarious inventions to tackle supernatural or sci-fi threats, all while maintaining a fun, adventurous spirit.

inventivewhimsicalhumorousadventurouseccentricscientificteamworklighthearted

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically feature a group of underestimated or fringe scientists who invent a unique technology to address a new, often supernatural, threat. Their journey is marked by initial skepticism, comedic mishaps with their inventions, and a final triumphant application of their quirky science to save the day.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core premise of scientific ingenuity played for laughs. The central appeal is the combination of a sci-fi concept with a comedic tone, where the heroes' intellectual prowess is matched only by their humorous personalities and the chaotic fun of their inventions.

Action-Comedy Team-Ups Against Supernatural Threats like Ghostbusters

A ragtag group bands together to hilariously battle a city-wide paranormal crisis.Fans of Ghostbusters will love these movies that capture the same vibe of a humorous team saving the city from paranormal forces. Explore other films featuring a group of heroes who start a business, use unique tech, and share witty banter while battling ghosts, monsters, or otherworldly chaos.

team of heroesparanormalhumorousenergeticsaving the cityadventurousquirkyaction-comedy

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a supernatural incursion that starts small and escalates to a city-wide threat. A group of distinct characters, frequently underdogs or professionals out of their depth, unite despite their differences. The story progresses through a series of humorous investigative and combat sequences, building to a large-scale confrontation with a powerful ancient evil.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their specific mix of genres and tone: the high-stakes action of a supernatural disaster movie filtered through the lens of a workplace/buddy comedy. The central pleasures are the team dynamics, the witty dialogue, and the thrill of seeing a bizarre threat tackled with humor and ingenuity.

Unlock the Full Story of Ghostbusters

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ghostbusters in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ghostbusters is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ghostbusters Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ghostbusters, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ghostbusters Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ghostbusters with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ghostbusters Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Ghostbusters that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Ghostbusters

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Ghostbusters: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Ghostbusters

Discover movies like Ghostbusters that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.