The “Ghostbusters” Franchise: From Worst to Best, According to Critics

Released in 1984, the film “Ghostbusters” is considered a comedy classic. An absolute success with the public and critics, the work became a cultural point of reference. The film began a successful multimedia franchise that includes other feature films, cartoons, video games and more.

However, are all films in the saga as critically acclaimed as the 1984 original? Having said that, we have decided to list, from worst to best, the films of the “Ghostbusters” series according to specialized critics. To do this, we took into account the ratings of the main film review aggregators and sites specializing in cinema.

5th – Ghostbusters: Ice Apocalypse (2024)

Direct sequel to “Ghostbusters – Beyond”, “Ghostbusters: Ice Apocalypse” is the worst film of the entire franchise in terms of performance among specialized critics.

Among the most recurring criticisms stands out the assessment that the film has poor aesthetics and abuses by appealing to the nostalgia factor.

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4th – Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

The critical reception of “Ghostbusters 2” contrasts markedly with that of the previous film. The film received a wide range of negative reviews.

Most specialized media summarized the sequel as a bad copy of the first film, with less sharp humor and more aimed at a “friendly” audience.

Furthermore, despite the very high box office receipts, the film did not meet the expectations of the production company Columbia Pictures. As a result, it was considered a commercial failure.

3rd – Ghostbusters – Beyond (2021)

Sequel to the first two films of the saga, “Ghostbusters – Mais Além” received a mixed reception from specialized critics.

The nostalgic tone, homages and references to the 1984 original have divided critics. While some pundits appreciated the show of respect, many others considered the film largely an exercise in fan service.

2nd – Ghostbusters (2016)

A reboot of the franchise that replaces the male protagonists with female Ghostbusters, this film received generally positive reception from critics.

However, the film is considered a box office failure. Although it grossed $229.1 million worldwide, the amount was not enough to cover its $144 million production budget. The studio stated that to break even, the film would have to gross at least $300 million.

Given this scenario, Sony has chosen to abandon plans for a sequel to this reboot. The production company has decided to launch new projects that follow the canon of the original 1984 and 1989 films.

1st – Ghostbusters (1984)

The first “Ghostbusters” is a cultural phenomenon. The production received acclaim from both audiences and critics. A box office success, the film is the second highest-grossing film of 1984.

The main praise in the specialized media went to Murray’s performance, the special effects and the mix of genres, such as comedy, horror and action.

In 2015, “Ghostbusters” was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (NFR). The NFR is a program administered by the U.S. Library of Congress that preserves culturally important films throughout the country’s history.

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Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.