As much love as theGhostbustersfilms get, some fans will still be surprised to discover thatthere is also an animated series that not only takes the lore forward but also deepens it.The Real Ghostbustersis a wacky, animated spin-off series that has a sort of cult following. But fans of the franchise will not have to scramble to see the series anymore asRoku has added the series to its ad-supported streaming lineup.
Fans will be able to watch the series that ran for seven seasons between 1986 and 1991.Out of 140 episodes, 117 episodes are available on the streaming service for free. A spin-off and sequel to the originalGhostbustersfilm, the animated series continues theadventures of four paranormal investigators– Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore – and their secretary, Janine Melnitz, as they continue their supernatural pest-control business with the help of their mascot ghost Slimer.
The animated series, developed byJoe MedjuckandMichael C. Gross,has an 80%Rotten Tomatoesscore from fans and is widely loved for itsanimation and storylines. Across the seasons, its voice cast includesMaurice LaMarche,Frank Welker,Arsenio Hall,Buster Jones,Laura Summer,Kath Soucie,Lorenzo Music, andDave Coulier,among many others. The success of the series was followed byExtreme Ghostbusters, released in 1997, which only lasted for one season. It took place after the events ofThe Real Ghostbustersand featured a new generation of Ghostbusters.
A New ‘Ghostbusters’ Animated Series Is in the Works
With the success of the recent film in the franchise, Netflix has taken it upon itself torebootGhostbustersin an animated format. The new series will be written, showrun, and executive produced by comedy vetElliott Kalan. Plot details for the new series are currently under wraps, but it is said to be in the same world asGhostbusters: Afterlifeand its sequel,Frozen Empire. Though it remains to be seen whether the series will feature the recent junior Ghostbusters from the aforementioned films, as well as the “legacy"Ghostbustersfrom the 1984 original and its sequel.
The new animated series is executive produced byJason ReitmanandGil Kenan, the minds behindGhostbusters' latest big screen adventures. Furthermore,Flying Bark Productions– the animation studio in Sydney, Australia, that has worked on some massive projects, such as Marvel Studio’sWhat If…?,Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, andLEGO Monkie Kid–is doing the animation.
