Where can classic 1980s cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters be seen online and is it available on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime? The original Ghostbusters was a huge blockbuster back in 1984 and proved to be a perfect storm of cast and material. The only issue is it was made in a time before sequels or franchises were really in vogue, so none of the performers were interested in a sequel. The Real Ghostbusters cartoon kept the franchise alive, offering up weekly animated adventures that expanded on the world established in the movie.
The continuing popularity of The Real Ghostbusters led to a push for Ghostbusters II, which finally emerged in 1989. Despite reuniting most of the cast and crew, it lacked some of the spark of the first movie and was released in a crowded summer that included Batman and Lethal Weapon 2. Bill Murray’s disappointment with Ghostbusters II saw him walk away from the franchise and any attempt at a Ghostbusters 3. The studio eventually landed on a reboot with 2016’s Ghostbusters, which featured a talented cast but ultimately underperformed financially.
Sony is trying once again with 2020’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which focuses on the grandkids of Egon (Harold Ramis) inheriting his ghostbusting legacy. For those who wish to revisit The Real Ghostbusters before the next movie arrives for old time’s sake, sadly the movie isn’t currently available to stream on platforms like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime in the U.S.
The Real Ghostbusters was available on Netflix for a time but was removed in 2019. The entire series is currently available to buy on Google Play and Amazon, however. While the show came to an end in 1991, The Real Ghostbusters is still well-regarded today. The show was suitable for family viewing but still maintained a little bit of a horror edge, with episodes featuring creepy monsters like the Sandman or Samhain. Later seasons would soften this tone, however, and give an increasing focus to the wacky hijinks of Slimer.
The Real Ghostbusters also received a spinoff series with 1997’s The Extreme Ghostbusters, which centered around Egon teaching a new generation of ghostbusters. This series only lasted a season and isn’t as well-regarded as The Real Ghostbusters, but it was entertaining in its own right. It will be interesting to see how the series evolves following the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which is set to feature appearances from original cast members like Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver and Ernie Hudson.
