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Ghostbusters (1984) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1984 · 105 min · English
JustWatch #53 48
Directed by
Ivan Reitman
Starring
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis
Budget
$30M

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.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Ghostbusters
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Ghostbusters (1984)

Where can you watch Ghostbusters? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Philo and YouTube TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Ghostbusters Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Ghostbusters (1984) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Books Levitate

    At the New York Public Library, librarian Alice Drummond is organizing books when strange occurrences begin. Unbeknownst to her, books start to levitate nearby, setting an eerie atmosphere in motion.

    Where
    New York Public Library
  2. Library Incident

    As Alice passes the card catalog, it suddenly erupts, scattering its contents everywhere. In a panic, she attempts to escape but is petrified by an unseen ghost, which brings the haunting to a head.

    Where
    New York Public Library
  3. ESP Experiment

    After the title sequence, we are introduced to Dr. Peter Venkman at Columbia University's Paranormal Studies Department. He conducts a flawed ESP experiment where he flirts with a female student, showcasing his charismatic yet unprofessional demeanor.

    Where
    Columbia University
  4. Ghost Investigation

    Following the library's ghost sighting, Venkman and his colleague Dr. Ray Stantz, along with Dr. Egon Spengler, investigate the spectral phenomenon. They collect ectoplasmic residue and encounter a ghostly figure, leading to their panicked retreat.

    Where
    New York Public Library
  5. Funding Cut

    Back at the university, the Ghostbusters trio is met with disappointment as the dean shuts down their funding. Discouraged yet determined, Venkman encourages his colleagues to pursue their passion for paranormal investigations professionally.

    Where
    Columbia University
  6. Starting the Business

    Venkman persuades Ray to mortgage his childhood home to fund their new business. The duo acquires an old firehouse, transforming it into their headquarters for ghostbusting adventures.

    Where
    Firehouse Headquarters
  7. Dana's Disturbance

    Introducing Dana Barrett, she experiences strange events in her apartment, like eggs cooking themselves. Alarmed, she seeks assistance from the Ghostbusters, facing terror with the appearance of a demonic entity named 'Zuul'.

    Where
    Dana Barrett's Apartment
  8. First Ghost Capture

    The Ghostbusters achieve their first significant ghost capture at the Sedgwick Hotel. This event launches them into the spotlight, leading to a growing business as they gain notoriety and celebrity status in the media.

    Where
    Sedgwick Hotel
  9. Chaos Unleashed

    As the film progresses, the EPA official Walter Peck raises concerns about the Ghostbusters' methods. The supernatural disturbances intensify, culminating in Dana being possessed by a powerful entity.

    Where
    New York City
  10. Confronting Gozer

    The Ghostbusters confront the formidable Gozer, facing a battle against the supernatural atop Dana's apartment building. They contend with the spectacular and whimsical threat of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

    Where
    Dana's Building
  11. Crossing the Streams

    In a desperate attempt to defeat Gozer's monstrous creation, the Ghostbusters devise a risky plan to cross their proton streams. This act is their last hope in sealing the portal and saving New York City.

    Where
    Dana's Building
  12. Victory and Celebration

    Triumphantly, the Ghostbusters emerge victorious and covered in marshmallow goo. They rescue Louis and Dana from their ghostly conditions, sparking a joyous celebration in the streets of New York.

    Where
    New York City
  13. Romantic Moment

    In the aftermath of their chaotic adventure, Peter Venkman shares a romantic moment with Dana. This heartfelt conclusion emphasizes the unpredictability of love, paralleling their supernatural experiences.

Last updated: November 02, 2024 at 13:02

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Timeline questions answered

Ghostbusters Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Ghostbusters (1984): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Columbia University cut funding for the Ghostbusters?

The university dean shut down their funding after reviewing their dubious research findings. The paranormal experiments conducted by Venkman, Ray, and Egon were considered scientifically unsound, leading to the discontinuation of their departmental support.

  • university funding
  • dean
  • paranormal research
  • Columbia
Q2

What is Zuul and why does it target Dana Barrett?

Zuul is an ancient Sumerian demon serving as a servant of Gozer. It targets Dana Barrett because she lives in a building that sits on a supernatural portal, making her an ideal vessel for possessing and opening the gateway for Gozer's arrival.

  • Zuul
  • demon
  • possession
  • Dana Barrett
  • Gozer
  • Sumerian
Q3

How did the Ghostbusters meet Winston Zeddemore?

Winston answered a newspaper advertisement seeking a worker. He was a blue-collar construction worker looking for a job when he was recruited by the already-established Ghostbusters team during their growing operation.

  • Winston Zeddemore
  • recruitment
  • job
  • Ghostbusters team
Q4

Why does Gozer appear as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?

Gozer manifests as whatever the Ghostbusters imagine, as a test of their will. When Venkman playfully suggests a 100-foot marshmallow man, Gozer transforms into the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man as a malicious joke, using the team's own thought against them.

  • Stay Puft
  • Gozer
  • manifestation
  • marshmallow man
  • portal
Q5

What happens when the Ghostbusters cross their proton streams?

Crossing the streams creates a catastrophic proton overload that collapses the dimensional gateway. It's described as incredibly dangerous and against every protocol, but it was their only option to close the portal and stop Gozer, sacrificing themselves in the process.

  • proton streams
  • Gozer
  • portal
  • dimensional collapse
  • sacrifice
Q6

Why is the EPA official against the Ghostbusters?

EPA official Walter Peck questions the safety and legality of their ghost-trapping equipment. He is concerned about the environmental impact of their containment unit and seeks to shut down their operation, seeing them as unregulated and potentially dangerous.

  • Walter Peck
  • EPA
  • government
  • containment unit
  • regulations
Q7

How does Dana Barrett become possessed?

Dana becomes possessed by Zuul after the demon emerges from her refrigerator. Zuul takes control of her body, transforming her into a demonic servant whose role is to open the portal and allow Gozer to enter our world.

  • possession
  • Zuul
  • Dana Barrett
  • transformation
  • servant
Q8

What is the Keymaster and what happens to Louis Tully?

The Keymaster is a spectral entity that needs to unite with the Gatekeeper to open the portal. Louis Tully becomes its host after being possessed, and he must be prevented from reaching Dana (the Gatekeeper) until the proper moment to close to portal.

  • Keymaster
  • Gatekeeper
  • Louis Tully
  • possession
  • portal
Q9

How do the Ghostbusters defeat Gozer?

The Ghostbusters defeat Gozer by simultaneously crossing their proton streams at the exact moment required. This creates a total proton overload that collapses the entire dimensional portal, forcing Gozer back into a nether realm and ending the invasion.

  • Gozer
  • defeat
  • proton streams
  • victory
  • dimensional portal
Q10

What happens to Dana and Louis at the end of Ghostbusters?

After Gozer is defeated, Dana and Louis are freed from their possessions and restored to human form. They are rescued from the rooftop by the Ghostbusters and join in the celebration as the team is hailed as heroes across New York City.

  • rescue
  • celebration
  • Dana Barrett
  • Louis Tully
  • happy ending
Q11

How did the Ghostbusters afford to start their business?

Venkman convinces Ray to mortgage his childhood home to secure the initial capital. This funding allowed them to purchase equipment and convert an old firehouse into their headquarters, launching their ghost-catching business.

  • funding
  • mortgage
  • firehouse
  • business startup
  • Ray Stantz

Movie threads

More Movies Like Ghostbusters, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Ghostbusters tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

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.

  • inventive
  • whimsical
  • humorous
  • adventurous
  • eccentric
  • scientific
  • Tone: light, humorous, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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 heroes
  • paranormal
  • humorous
  • energetic
  • saving the city
  • adventurous
  • Tone: light, adventurous, energetic
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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.

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Movies Like Ghostbusters

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Every angle

Ghostbusters (1984) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Ghostbusters in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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