06-08-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

Film History - Daily

08-06-2024 • 2分

On June 8, 1984, the iconic comedy-horror film "Ghostbusters" was released in the United States. Directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, the movie starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver.

The plot follows three eccentric parapsychology professors in New York City who lose their jobs at Columbia University. They decide to start their own business, "Ghostbusters," to investigate and capture ghosts, spirits, and other supernatural entities haunting the city. As their business grows, they uncover a sinister plot that could bring about the apocalypse.

"Ghostbusters" was a massive critical and commercial success. It grossed over $240 million at the box office, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1984. The movie's unique blend of comedy, horror, and science fiction, along with its memorable characters, quotable dialogue, and iconic theme song, helped it become a pop culture phenomenon.

The film's special effects, created by Richard Edlund, were groundbreaking for the time and earned the movie an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. The Ghostbusters' proton packs, ghost traps, and the Ectomobile (Ecto-1) became instantly recognizable symbols of the franchise.

"Ghostbusters" spawned a successful media franchise, including a 1989 sequel, "Ghostbusters II," two animated television series, video games, comic books, and a 2016 reboot featuring an all-female cast. The film's enduring popularity led to "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," a direct sequel to the original two films, released in 2021.

The original "Ghostbusters" film is considered a classic of the 1980s and has left an indelible mark on popular culture, cementing its place in cinema history.