Ghostbusters Feature Scores
Explore all 96 feature scores for Ghostbusters, organized into pros and cons.
Scores by Feature
Summary
96 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.040 (42%)
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Positive 3.5-4.425 (26%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.415 (16%)
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Negative 1.5-2.416 (17%)
Pros
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The blend of dry comedy, science fiction, and genuine supernatural danger is a defining strength. Most admirers find that each element sharpens the others rather than pulling the movie apart.
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The comic cast is one of the film’s most consistent attractions, with distinctive personalities carrying the absurd situations. Even admirers of individual performances sometimes find the ensemble rhythm uneven.
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Dry one-liners and quotable exchanges are among the most frequently praised strengths. A minority finds the dialogue empty or overly dependent on jargon and Murray’s attitude.
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Murray’s dry, unflappable delivery is widely treated as the film’s comic engine. A few viewers find the performance sleepy, excessive, or unpleasant rather than charming.
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Repeat viewings often preserve or increase the enjoyment. One initially underwhelmed viewer grows much more appreciative after returning to the film without the pressure of its reputation.
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Most responses find the film highly entertaining, often calling it a lasting favorite. The strongest dissenters instead experience a boring or deeply disappointing comedy that its reputation cannot rescue.
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The logo, cast, creatures, and theme song give the film unusual staying power. Its continuing place in popular culture is widely treated as an achievement rather than a passing craze.
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Moranis, Weaver, Potts, and Hudson supply many of the supporting highlights. Their talent is often praised even when the roles are too small, though Moranis’s broadness and Potts’s delivery do not work for everyone.
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Proton packs, traps, and containment equipment are among the movie’s most appealing inventions. Their mixture of nerdy detail and ordinary working tools helps make ghost-catching feel tangible.
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The catchy title song is a major attraction, supported by other energetic tracks. Its singalong appeal and Halloween-party presence help the soundtrack remain memorable.
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Turning paranormal research into a ghost-extermination business is repeatedly praised as an unusually inventive premise. The combination of ordinary work and fantastic threats remains a major reason to watch.
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Sardonic delivery, absurd situations, and witty exchanges make the comedy a lasting favorite for many. Several critics find the same material thin, unfunny, or too reliant on rude behavior.
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Slimer, the library ghost, the terror dogs, and Stay Puft give the film a varied, memorable bestiary. Even criticism of aged effects often comes with affection for the underlying creatures.
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The firehouse world, Ecto-1, and elaborate climactic sets give the film a memorable physical identity. The recreated street is especially admired for blending convincingly with real locations.
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Bernstein’s score is praised for supplying chills while preserving comic energy. Its eerie textures and memorable cues add personality, with only modest rather than enthusiastic approval from a dissenting critic.
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The straight treatment of supernatural danger usually strengthens the absurd humor for admirers. Dissenters find moments where spectacle, sexualization, or an ill-placed gag disrupt the balance.
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The library haunting, possession, and terror dogs deliver genuine spooky moments beneath the jokes. Hardcore horror viewers may find them mild, while younger or more sensitive viewers can find them disturbing.
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Many find the effects imaginative and surprisingly durable, especially when they serve a joke or reveal. Others notice dated dog animation, visible compositing seams, or spectacle that overwhelms the characters.
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The ghost logo earns affection for its simple, immediately recognizable design. It neatly pairs a supernatural creature with an everyday prohibition symbol.
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Taking ghosts and apocalyptic danger seriously is praised as essential to the comedy. The threat gives the wisecracking protagonists something substantial to react against.
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Childhood scares, familiar characters, and 1980s memories make revisiting the film especially rewarding for many. One newcomer argues that nostalgia can also conceal a disappointing movie.
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The trio’s contrasting personalities and Murray’s spark with Weaver are major pleasures for many viewers. Dissenters find little give-and-take or feel that the comic styles compete rather than connect.
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The cast is repeatedly praised as an unusually good fit for the material. Supporting players are especially valued for making small roles distinctive.
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Many moments linger well beyond a viewing, with Stay Puft an especially enduring image. The combination of quotable scenes and unusual visuals gives the film a strong identity.
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The large-scale production adds grandeur without always losing the intimate comedy. Admirers feel the money is used effectively to make the absurd premise more impressive.
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Careful buildup makes the library, Dana’s haunting, and Stay Puft’s arrival effectively suspenseful. These scenes gain their impact before the comedy releases the tension.
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Egon, Louis, and the kindly or fallible misfits inspire considerable affection. Not every character lands: Louis can seem annoying, and one host specifically dislikes Slimer.
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Practical textures and large physical sets help the ghosts and destruction feel tangible. The stop-motion dogs and some older effects are less convincing to other viewers.
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A broad mixture of gadgets, comedy, adventure, and ghosts gives the film appeal across different tastes. Its strongest supporters recommend it enthusiastically and widely.
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Small gestures and well-prepared punch lines help the best jokes land. The elevator business and a famous exchange with the mayor stand out for their comic precision.
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For admirers of its particular mixture, the film delivers the promised combination of spooky adventure and laughs. Its appeal rests on being a successful horror comedy rather than a pure scare picture.
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Ramis’s eccentric reactions and the team’s physical mishaps provide comedy beyond the one-liners. Their ungainly attempts at supernatural heroism are a particular pleasure.
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Admirers celebrate clever dialogue, efficient characterization, and a script that makes an unlikely premise work. Critics find loose ends, a broken first act, underwritten roles, and shortcuts in the final solution.
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Celebrating intelligence, persistence, and ordinary people taking a chance on themselves gives the film an appealing message. Its commercialism also supports a praised satirical reading.
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The library and Dana’s apartment create an eerie mood that gives the comedy a real supernatural edge. That atmosphere remains part of the film’s charm on later viewings.
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Several admirers praise the family-accessible handling of horror and adult humor. The ghostly danger remains real enough that individual children may react more strongly than the light tone suggests.
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The gritty streets and familiar landmarks give the fantasy a persuasive New York setting. One particularly affectionate response treats the film as a love letter to the city of 1984.
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The graphic, cartoon-like style and playful fantasy imagery give the film much of its appeal. Its distinctive look is warmly remembered alongside the characters and gadgets.
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An inventive ghost-catching premise and entertaining character situations carry the story for admirers. Critics see loose sketches, thin development, and plotting that does not fully earn its climax.
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Reitman earns praise for holding comedy, effects, and horror together, particularly in the Stay Puft reveal. Other critics find his staging stiff or his control of the growing spectacle weak.
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The library opening establishes an eerie mood and launches the film with energy. It can still frighten viewers who are sensitive to sudden monster reveals.
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The building’s history and paranormal lore make the universe inviting to explore. A dissenting view finds its spiritual rules evasive or inconsistent.
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The combination of distinct creative personalities is celebrated as difficult to reproduce. Different ideas about comedy and paranormal science meet in a particularly fortunate collaboration.
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The evident warmth between the actors gives the friendship a sweet, unforced quality. That camaraderie helps make the supernatural adventure feel welcoming.
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One assessment praises how much character and story fit into the compact running time. The film feels efficient beside much longer franchise adventures.
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The sound effects receive emphatic praise alongside the visual work. They help make the original production feel impressively realized for its era.
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Gozer’s voice is remembered as a chilling part of the villain’s impact. Its spooky delivery helps the brief appearance leave a stronger impression.
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Admirers value a threat that stays serious while the heroes joke around. A dissenting view finds the final danger too briefly established to make its stakes clear.
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Janine’s accent is enjoyed as part of her instantly recognizable New York personality. Her impatient manner helps make a small role stand out.
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The assessed “Mastered in 4K” Blu-ray brings clearer detail, finer grain, and steadier color than the earlier disc. Some shots remain rather dark, and old optical seams are still visible.
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Financial insecurity makes the scientists and their new employee feel relatable. The business is more appealing when its heroes seem only a month away from losing what they have.
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The uniforms contribute to the movie’s beloved cartoon-like visual identity. Their recognizability remains part of its appeal long after the original release.
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One assessment praises the relative restraint in vulgarity compared with the cast’s earlier adult comedies. That restraint helps the humor reach a wider age range.
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The makeup work shares explicit praise for the film’s impressive audiovisual effects. Its contribution is valued within the achievement of the original production.
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One response finds the experience lives up to the title’s promise: ghosts, spookiness, and comedy. The film delivers the particular entertainment it advertises.
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The architect’s hidden history gives the haunting an intriguing extra dimension. Details about the building and its cult encourage interest in the supernatural mystery.
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Winston’s desire for an ordinary paycheck grounds the supernatural work in a recognizable employment story. That practical motivation strengthens the film’s working-class appeal.
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Making money from a discovery about the afterlife gives the premise continuing relevance. One admirer finds that commercial instinct especially recognizable beyond its original era.
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The team’s bickering and problem solving feel natural and enjoyable together. Their different personalities make the working partnership part of the comedy’s appeal.
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One recommendation explicitly welcomes viewers aged eight and older. The frightening possession scenes and adult jokes still deserve consideration when choosing it for younger children.
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The assessed Blu-ray’s 5.1 mix delivers lively surround activity and bass. Thin source audio and a low mastering level keep it from sounding consistently full or forceful.
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The film earns credit for knowing its horror lineage, especially its Lovecraftian elements. That genre awareness is an admired strength even for a critic who dislikes the comedy.
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Lovecraftian academics, slimy creatures, and ancient gods give the film an appreciated literary-horror foundation. That knowledgeable influence stands out even in a strongly negative assessment.
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The references to Lovecraft are appreciated for giving the supernatural premise a literate genre background. They do not, for this critic, compensate for weaknesses in the story.
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The idea of turning paranormal discovery into a business supports an admired jab at commercialism. The satire gives the absurd premise a recognizable social target.
Cons
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The film repeatedly leaves viewers wanting more from Winston, Janine, and other supporting characters. Murray’s dominance and scenes cut short can limit an otherwise appealing ensemble.
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Venkman’s pursuit of Dana repeatedly draws criticism as harassment or predatory behavior. A more forgiving reading sees consequences for his behavior and genuine interest developing later, while still finding the early apartment scene awkward.
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Winston’s late arrival and limited function are the most persistent ensemble complaints. Murray’s prominence leaves several other strong performers with less to do than viewers would like.
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The early story and its montage shortcuts are recurring structural weak points. Critics describe loosely connected sketches and information supplied too casually to form a satisfying progression.
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Dana and Janine divide opinion: some find Dana a memorable participant in the adventure, while others see talented actresses confined to thin or sexualized roles. The limited material for both women is a recurring complaint.
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Murray and Weaver’s comic interplay appeals to some, but Venkman’s courtship is a frequent sticking point. Harassing behavior and awkward early advances can make the eventual pairing feel unearned.
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The assessed “Mastered in 4K” Blu-ray sacrifices the earlier disc’s commentary and featurettes. The improved picture wins out for its reviewer, but the empty bonus section is a disappointment.
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One critique finds Winston tokenized rather than given a meaningful identity or story. His limited dialogue and racial joke make the ensemble feel less inclusive than it could be.
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One strongly critical reading finds the sexist jokes and stereotyped roles especially dated. The humor’s treatment of women becomes a barrier to enjoying the central characters.
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One critique finds the hands grabbing Dana uncomfortably suggestive of assault. The staging makes the possession sequence feel exploitative for that viewer.
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The business montage leaves one fan wishing it showed more ghosts. A harsher assessment likewise finds too little on-screen ghostbusting to sell the team’s reputation.
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One critical assessment finds the imagery campy and unattractive by modern standards. Even that viewer still enjoys the wonky charm of Slimer and Stay Puft.
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Ray’s sexual dream is criticized as a dispensable detour. The gag may be memorable, but it does little for the story in this assessment.
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The investigation attracts criticism for leaving obvious research unfinished. Delayed answers about Dana’s haunting make the team’s detective work feel less convincing.
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One detailed critique finds the early passage of time poorly communicated. The speed of setting up the business and equipment is difficult to reconcile with the chronology shown.
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One critique finds the film evasive about the spiritual questions its ghosts and gods introduce. Contradictory answers make that side of the world feel underdeveloped.
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One critic finds the high-concept comedy shallow. Interesting spiritual and character possibilities seem sacrificed for jokes and spectacle.
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One host finds that a joke about Dana’s transformation punctures the moment’s emotional intensity. The comic interruption weakens the concern the scene has built for her.
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The treatment of the EPA inspector invites a pointed objection: his safety concerns have merit. Casting him as a nuisance can make the film’s attitude toward environmental oversight feel unfair.
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The framing is judged serviceable rather than visually inspired in one otherwise admiring assessment. The film’s personality comes more from its performers and tonal mixture than its compositions.
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Stay Puft supplies a celebrated comic reveal and a spectacular finish. The resolution itself is more divisive, with complaints about an abrupt fight, a thin crossing-the-streams setup, and convenient survival.
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Some appreciate adult jokes kept brief enough to sit within a broadly accessible comedy. Others object to a tawdry ritual or needless sexualization, especially in Dana’s possession scenes.
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Lighting adds gritty texture and an effective horror mood for one admirer. Another critic finds it heavy and immobilizing for the actors.
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The stop-motion dogs show their age for some viewers. Another response finds the brief, restrained animation convincing enough to avoid distracting from the story.
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The editing can feel dynamic and sustain comedy and action together. Dissenters see slackness, missing connective scenes, or a montage that skips opportunities for more ghosts.
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The grounded tools, ordinary personalities, and earnest paranormal detail help some viewers believe the fantasy. Others struggle with implausible financing, convenient logistics, or characters who feel artificial.
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Some find the characters distinct and efficiently established through performance. Others see undeveloped stereotypes, with Winston and Dana particularly shortchanged.
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The effects-driven action offers entertaining big moments and a showy final confrontation. Other responses want more actual ghostbusting and a longer, less abrupt final fight.
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The photography ranges from resourceful and textured to heavy and overly deliberate in these assessments. Its strongest moments support the sets and New York atmosphere, though some framing feels merely functional.
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Gozer and Stay Puft are admired for leaving strong impressions with limited screen time. Walter Peck is more contentious, seen either as an effective comic obstacle or a flat, unfairly maligned antagonist.
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Some praise brisk storytelling and sustained comic-action rhythm. Others find sluggish stretches, or a well-paced beginning followed by a rushed resolution.
Use Cases
Best for
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The film is repeatedly recommended for entertaining adults and children on different levels. Scares and adult jokes still make family suitability dependent on the children involved.
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Playful technology and supernatural science make it a strong recommendation for fans of lighter science fiction. Its appeal lies in clever fantasy and comedy rather than rigorous scientific realism.
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Ghosts, eerie atmosphere, and lively comedy make this a warmly recommended Halloween choice. One fan returns to it every year during the season.
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The film is strongly recommended for mixing genuine spooky atmosphere with loose, character-based comedy. Neither side needs to disappear for the other to work.
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Most genre-focused praise treats it as an outstanding dry comedy, rich in quotable exchanges. Dissenters find the jokes so flat that they would not recommend it for laughs.
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Gadgets, memorable creatures, and colorful spectacle can strongly appeal to children. The possession scenes and monster scares have also caused nightmares, so enthusiasm for the characters does not guarantee an easy watch.
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The original is strongly recommended for its specific comic performances and chemistry. Its identity depends on how these actors react to one another as much as on the ghost-catching premise.
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The warmth and visible friendship between the leads make the film especially appealing as a story of camaraderie. Their sweetness helps the ghostly adventure feel welcoming.
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One enthusiastic recommendation offers the film as a lighter introduction to horror and science fiction. Its comedy makes the supernatural world inviting, though the creatures can still frighten children.
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The affectionate recreation of gritty 1984 Manhattan offers a special attraction for viewers attached to New York. Familiar streets and local behavior make the supernatural story feel rooted in the city.
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Adults can find extra pleasure in the dry jokes and character interplay missed during childhood. A first-time adult viewer without nostalgic attachment finds the film much less rewarding.
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The assessed remastered Blu-ray is recommended to established fans for its improved presentation and enjoyable surround mix. Missing extras and source-audio limits temper the upgrade.
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The big creatures, light comedy, and spectacle also work as summer popcorn entertainment. One longtime admirer specifically recommends it beyond the Halloween season.
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The assessed Blu-ray offers an enjoyable surround presentation for home viewing. Expect to raise the volume and accept some thinness from the original recording.
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It suits horror fans who want a lighter, funnier take on supernatural threats. Viewers seeking intense scares may find the brief jump scares too mild.
Conditional or not ideal for
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Newcomer viewingNewcomers receive sharply different advice: one enthusiastic recommendation calls it essential, while others find the reputation difficult to live up to. Arriving without childhood attachment can make the thin plotting and dated behavior more noticeable.
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Action-fan viewingAdmirers enjoy the big supernatural set pieces, but the action is not a universal draw. One disappointed viewer finds too little actual ghostbusting and an abrupt climax.
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Adventure-fan viewingThe inventive ghost-catching setup can deliver a fun, large-scale adventure. A dissenting assessment finds the actual ghostbusting too sparse to satisfy that promise.
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Scare-sensitive viewingComedy softens the danger, but the library reveal, possession, and terror dogs can still be upsetting. The film may work for some scare-sensitive viewers, while others should expect a few difficult moments.
Cast & Creators
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ZuulWeaver is praised for vivid screen presence, chemistry with Murray, and the playful intensity of her possession scenes. Her performance often stands out even for viewers dissatisfied with the film around her.
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Peter VenkmanMurray’s sardonic delivery and apparently effortless reactions are widely seen as the comic engine. A minority finds the same manner sleepy, overplayed, or too unpleasant to enjoy.
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Louis TullyMoranis is often a scene-stealing favorite, bringing lovable awkwardness and inspired improvisation to Louis. One dissenting critic finds the broad performance grating instead.
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Winston zmoreHudson is praised for giving Winston charisma, grounded reactions, and memorable lines. His performance is valued even when the film gives him too little opportunity to use it.
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Egon SpenglerRamis’s deadpan scientist and eccentric physical reactions are frequent comic strengths. His shared writing is admired for wit but also criticized for underwritten roles and loose plotting.
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ComposerBernstein’s music brings an admired mixture of unease, comic energy, and memorable character. Even a strongly negative assessment finds the audiovisual craft acceptable.
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Janine MelnitzPotts makes Janine’s impatience and deadpan delivery memorable with very little material. Most responses want more of her, though one finds aspects of the delivery off.
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Raymond StantzAykroyd’s enthusiasm and warmth help balance the team for many viewers, and his writing earns praise for wit. Critics sometimes find Ray blank or reduced to explaining the plot.
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DirectorReitman earns credit for making comedy, horror, and large effects coexist, especially in Stay Puft’s arrival. Other critics find his handling of actors amateurish or the spectacle poorly controlled.
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GozerEdwards’s spooky voice gives Gozer a chilling presence. The delivery is remembered as a particularly effective part of the villain’s impact.
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Songwriter, PerformerParker’s title song remains irresistibly catchy for its admirer. Its lasting singalong appeal is treated as one of the movie’s most durable contributions.
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Walter peekAtherton is praised for making the EPA inspector more than a dull obstacle. His mixture of charm and prickliness gives the antagonistic role comic character.
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EditorBlewitt shares explicit praise for editing that sustains both comedy and action. The rhythm helps the film feel more polished than its simple plotting might suggest.
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Production DesignerDeCuir’s production design is singled out as ingenious. The elaborate physical world gives the film’s supernatural spectacle a strong setting.
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Visual EffectsThe effects work credited to Edlund’s team earns praise for energetic, spectacular transformations and destruction. The big set pieces give the finale its showmanship.
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EditorKahn shares praise for maintaining the pace of both the jokes and the action. The editing helps the film’s laid-back comedy retain momentum.
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CinematographerKovács’s photography is praised for resourcefulness, lighting texture, and preserving New York’s grit. A contrasting response finds the images too heavy and rigid for comedy.