Bustin' Still Makes Us Feel Good: The 'Ghostbusters' Legacy 30 Years Later

 BY RICK CORNERSTONE

Thirty years later, even with its aged special effects and goofy plot, "Ghostbusters" continues to make audiences laugh. The movie that steadily holds a 97% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes has established itself as a comedy classic ever since its release in 1984.

Part of the reason the franchise is so successful is because they've managed to stay relevant over time, consistently appealing to new generations as the years pass. So just how did they manage to achieve what every other film franchise dreams of doing? By producing a quality film in addition to some fruitful marketing moves.

Rereleasing the Movie in Theaters

Entertainment Weekly reported at the beginning of June that "Ghostbusters" will be rereleased in over 700 theaters starting August 29. The theater release will coincide with special events to celebrate the anniversary along with collectible merchandise and home-entertainment releases.

Video Games

The franchise released a new action-adventure game in 2009, titled "Ghostbusters: The Video Game." The title was made available for almost all gamers as it was released in six different formats for consoles and PCs.

You can watch the game's trailer below.



Unique Ways to Play

In addition to creating a video game, the franchise opened itself up to other types of gamers. For those looking for a little more excitement, Betfair joined forces with IGT to provide a "Ghostbusters"-themed slot as part of their gaming platform. Players can enjoy the nostalgic characters while having the chance to learn a little extra cash.

Show at Universal Studies

Even though it was replaced in 1996 to make room for the "Twister"-themed ride, the "Ghostbusters" live action show, "Spooktacular" show at Universal Studios Florida was loved by guests for years. Fans could also explore a section of the movie's 2D set and view the actual Ecto-1 Cadillac used in the movie.

LEGO

LEGO recently posted an article about a new "Ghostbusters"-themed set they're releasing, in honor of
the 30th anniversary. The Ghostbusters™ Ecto-1 set includes pieces to make the iconic Ecto-1 as well as the four LEGO men, designed in the main characters' likeness. I know they're mostly aimed towards kids, but as Will Ferrell proved in "The Lego Movie," you're never too old to play with LEGO toys.

Sequels

"Ghostbusters II" came out in 1989. Reviews were mixed, and for a long time it was considered the last live action installment for the brand. Fans were ecstatic to hear five years ago, though, that third movie was in the works. While the details are still unknown, Indie Wire reported that production is said to begin sometime next year.

Bill Murray Continued to Be Awesome

Many of the "Ghostbusters" crew had successful careers after the film franchise wrapped, but none more so than Bill Murray. In recent years he's only become more popular, constantly make headlines for hilarious antics and popping up in the most random of places. Even those who haven't diligently followed the movies would likely go and see the third installment if Murray was involved.

Whether it's through sequels, cartoons, rides, or games, the team of paranormal experts have been consistently gaining fans since audiences caught a glimpse of the gluttonous slimer. And with the potential for a new installment, I don't see the franchise losing steam anytime soon.

Rick Cornerstone is a "Ghostbusters" fanatic who's probably seen both films more than he cares to count. When he's not watching them, you can typically find Rick writing about the "Ghostbusters" movies in his spare time.