Phil Roberts 
Phil shares his five favorite episodes from the spooktacular animated series THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS
We are just weeks away from the return of the Ghostbusters in GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE and the excitement is building for what looks to be a sensational sequel. But the superstars of the supernatural have conquered more mediums than film. From comics, toys, and spin-offs, the IP has cemented its legacy by finding its feet on almost every medium. And leading the charge is the iconic and spooktacular animated series – THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS.
With the 1984 franchise originator still being idolized by a generation of fans and a sequel several years away, producers Joe Medjuck and Michael C. Gross arrived to fill the void. In Collaboration with franchise creators Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, the duo set out to bring fans the ultimate aperitif. One that could satisfy their insatiable appetites as they waited for the main course, i.e. the debut of Ghostbusters II. And in the summer of 1986, two years after the original film, The Real Ghostbusters debuted and changed the game forever. The series was spectacular. Although the showrunners altered the format slightly with alternative uniforms, slight character alterations, and new tech, the format remained the same. The result was animated gold.
WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
The series ran from September 13, 1986, to October 5, 1991, and delivered 140 episodes over seven seasons. The show ran alongside the release of Ghostbusters II and incorporated several story elements from Ivan Reitman’s beloved sequel. And likewise, the movie adopted some of the show’s more popular traits. Slimer was rewritten as a protagonist and lived within the walls of the Firehouse as a defacto pet. And Winston Zeddemore sported a clean-shaven persona to bring him in line with his animated alter ego. On the other hand, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man made several guest appearances in the series. Gozer got a mention or two and the Terror Dogs even popped up. But in all these paranormal hijinks, the soul of the franchise was preserved, and in the end, the IP was richer as a result.
CLASSICS
With Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire heading our way on March 22nd, I set off on a series rewatch. With the new sequel taking inspiration from the beloved animated series, the timing could not be better to set off on the paranormal road to nostalgia. Somewhere along the way, amidst Gozer, Killerwatt, and The Sandman, I decided to rank my top five episodes. If it’s at all possible.
Attempting to whittle my favorite episodes down to just five has been a daunting task. And despite omitting several of the best episodes ever made, I think I have my final five. Do bear in mind that this list is fluid and changes depending on what mood I’m in but as the adage says; form is temporary…class is permanent.
5. “Sea Fright” (Director: Masakazu Higuchi) Season 2 | Episode 4
When a treasure-seeker uncovers a treasure chest on the ocean floor, he unwittingly summons a ship of pirate ghosts, who wreak havoc on New York in order to reclaim their treasure. The ship, called The Stag, is commanded by Captain Jack Higgins (Jack Angel), one of the most notorious pirates in history, whose pirates prove to be too much for the Ghostbusters to handle. Despite being outnumbered, the Ghostbusters give chase to the pirates in order to stop them. To make things worse, Slimer tries to help, and gets into a fight with a ghost parrot, while the guys take on Higgins and his pirates, ambushing The Stag first from another land-beached ship, and then leading the pirates into a trap so that they can end their plundering once and for all.
A true classic in every sense. The Ghostbusters set off on an adventure featuring ghost ships, ghost pirates, and sunken treasure. Featuring some of the most fun action in the series, the swashbuckling gets a healthy boost from a proton pack. We have Winston swinging across the deck of a sea stallion, Slimer scrapping with a ghostly parrot, and a climax that leaves the hairs on the back of your neck on edge. By the time the credits roll, the Ghostbusters emerge triumphant and the iconic theme is ringing in your ears. True unadulterated awesomeness!
4. “Citizen Ghost” (Director: Richard Raynis) Season 1 | Episode 11
Peter tells reporter Cynthia Crawford (Julie Bennett) the story of what happened to the Ghostbusters after they defeated Gozer. While rebuilding their headquarters and Ecto-Containment Unit, the group is forced to deal with a certain green ghost from the Sedgwick Hotel (which Ray named Slimer). But having the green ghost constantly hanging around them is nothing compared to the trouble they have when a group of evil ghostly doubles decide to take their place by getting rid of the original Ghostbusters.
The episode that redefined the franchise. This episode is pure gold. The Ghostbusters reveal what REALLY happened after they defeated Gozer. Slimer becomes a defacto pet, the OG Busters get new uniforms, and the old marshmallow-covered flight suits come to life and attempt to eliminate their doppelgangers. This episode has it all, nostalgia, fun, high stakes, and the biggest link to the franchise originator ever committed to film. Here, the series respects the lore and pays tribute to its big-screen predecessor; all the while fleshing out the universe and adding new layers to the characters we know and love. By the time the credits roll, we have a newfound appreciation for the characters. But make no mistake, this episode is the perfect sequel to Ivan Reitman’s classic original.
3. “Mrs. Roger’s Neighborhood” (Director: Richard Raynis) Season 1 | Episode 3
After a week-long lull, the Ghostbusters get a case – and to a haunted house, no less. Ray takes the house’s occupants – Mrs. Rogers and her pet bird – back to the firehouse for their own safety, while the others inspect the area. A variety of increasingly bizarre happenings do occur and Egon attributes it all to Watt, a powerful demon, disguised as a kindly old lady who traps the Ghostbusters in a haunted house while it infiltrates the firehouse and attempts to break open the containment unit. The situation proves worse than they would’ve imagined, however, as Watt has a bigger plan than a mere haunting. He possesses Peter in order to break open the containment unit.
Vintage Ghostbusters. The sweet Mrs Rogers morphs into the horrific spook known as Watt and attempts to liberate her ghostly army from the Containment Unit. The episode upholds the franchise’s comedic traditions by using the name Watt to generate some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. All the while, our heroes are trapped within the walls of Watts’s ghost house. The episode hits its mark when Watt possesses Venkamn and attempts to use his genetic authentication to open the Containment Unit. But in true Busters fashion, Peter resists and repels the demon. In the end, Ray, Egon, and Winston trap Watt and send her packing. Destination Containment Unit.
2. “Knock, Knock” (Director: Masakazu Higuchi) Season 2 | Episode 1
When a group of subway construction workers accidentally uncover an ancient door that isn’t meant to be opened up until doomsday, their persistence accidentally triggers the door’s opening, which sends incredible amounts of poltergeist energy surging through the New York subway system, mutating the trains into worm-like monsters. The Ghostbusters are called in to deal with it, and Egon discovers that if they don’t close the door soon, the entire world will be transformed into a twisted and barren wasteland of ghostly and demonic creatures that will replace all of humankind and civilization.
“Do not open until Doomsday!” Coming in hot in second place is the episode that launched season 2. On any given day, this episode can hit the top spot with its chilling plot, end of days stakes, and ghostly monsters. From the moment the construction workers inadvertently open the doomsday door, New York is in chaos. Demons run riot, ghosts inhabit the New York subway system, and only one team can save the day.
After their perilous trip into the subterranean depths of the city, Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston quickly discover that the only way to close the door and save New York is to cast their proton beams directly into the heart of its power source. In a moment of pure selflessness, the team attempts to close the door and pull the escaping spooks back into the void – from the inside. The episode ends with a daring last-gasp escape that leaves the viewer punching the air with glee. A true classic.
1. “Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream” (Director: Richard Raynis) Season 1 | Episode 7
All over New York, people are falling asleep and their dreams are becoming reality. A rogue Sandman has plans to put everyone to sleep in order to bring peace to the world, despite the fact that they will be asleep for 500 years. Egon realizes how to beat him, but falls sleep before he can say it. One by one, Ray, Peter and Egon are put to sleep, until only Winston is left. Knowing that he can’t stop the Sandman alone, Winston tries to figure out what Egon had realized, but couldn’t say. It is only with the help of Albert Einstein (from Egon’s dream) that Winston is able to figure out what to do. He returns to the firehouse, where he tells Janine his plan. Janine falls under the Sandman’s spell and falls asleep as Winston is cornered by the Sandman. In Janine’s dream, she transforms herself into a Ghostbuster as she hits the Sandman from behind and, with the help of Slimer, traps him.
And here we are, my favorite episode is revealed for all to see, and I make no apologies for placing “Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream” in the top spot. This episode has it all. High stakes, cameos, valuable life lessons, and a finale that has never been beaten, it’s the perfect package.
The Sandman emerges from the depths to enslave the population of the earth into his world of perpetual sleep. Once under the spell of his sleep dust, every citizen of New York succumbs to its powers – and soon, the city is alive with all manner of ghosts, creatures, and monsters plucked from the dreams of its residents. After a confrontation with the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, one by one, the team succumbs to The Sandman’s sleep dust until only Winston is left to save the day. But the only member of the team without a paranormal psychology degree has an ace up his sleeve. Janine Melnitz.
The Ghostbusters’ salty receptionist is primed for action and after succumbing to the sleep dust, she begins to dream. And just when The Sandman is about to capture Winston and enslave the city, the Ghostbusters theme hits and Janine takes control of her dream envisioning herself as a Ghostbuster – with a working proton pack! Within seconds, The Sandman is captured in her proton stream, and with Slimer on hand with the Ghost Trap, it’s curtains for the master of dreams.
FINAL THOUGHTS
And there we have it – my top five episodes of The Real Ghostbusters. Although my ranking is pretty definitive, there are many episodes worthy of being included on the list. Notable mentions are “When Halloween Was Forever”, “Troll Bridge”, “Killerwatt”, “Slimer, Come Home”, “Cry Uncle”, and “Night Game.” Any of these episodes are worthy of any Ghostbusters watchlist and can move up the list on any given day. But if you’re looking for the ultimate primer for Frozen Empire, I’d recommend you start here.
No matter where you begin, The Real Ghostbusters is a true classic in every sense. The series took the lineage of its big-screen predecessor and expanded the sandbox in fun new ways. Throughout its run, the show secured the adoration of a new generation of fans, sold millions of toys, and secured its Saturday morning cartoon gold status. Despite its simple animation style, it still holds up today. And the influence of the show is about to come full circle in the latest big-screen sequel. And that is an exciting prospect. So get ready for the ultimate Ghostbusters adventure!
RELEASE
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire arrives in cinemas on March 22, 2024. Subscribe to our newsletter at the top of our homepage to stay up-to-date with all the latest movie news and reviews from Future of the Force.
Until then, strap on your proton packs and prepare for another rollercoaster ride of ectoplasmic awesomeness with the legendary Ghostbusters. They’re ready to believe you!
Phil Roberts is the owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. He is a huge fan of Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies.
If he’s not in the cinema he’s probably streaming something equally awesome!
