The ghosts and supernatural cosmic entities of the Ghostbusters universe are a colorful bunch, coming in all kinds of grotesque shapes and sizes. From traditional see-through apparitions to all-out monsters, the menagerie of ghastlies certainly add a great deal of spectacle to the movies.
Certain ghosts and ghouls from the four live-action films in the franchise have certainly (and ironically) taken on a life of their own. From scene-stealing turns in the animated series to memorable action figures, they’re as integral to the Ghostbusters mythos as the theme tune, Ecto-1 and the Busters themselves. You might need a proton pack handy for this list…
10 Bug-Eye
The “Bug-Eye Ghost”, as it is commonly known, has a brief cameo in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Despite its small appearance, this cycloptic spirit offered a nice bit of fan-service for the older enthusiasts.
Bug-Eye has its origins in the animated series, a variation appearing in two episodes of The Real Ghostbusters. It was also a popular action-figure, with its huge eyeball popping out via some press-and-release action. It's nice to know that Bug-Eye is still around, terrorizing a new generation of Ghostbusters.
9 Gertrude Aldridge
Inspired by the infamous Lizzie Borden, Gertrude Aldridge was daughter to Sir Aldridge. One chilling night in 1864, she murdered all of her father’s servants, and spent the rest of her life locked in a cellar.
In Ghostbusters (2016), Gertrude’s ghost appears before the three budding ghost hunters as they investigate some disturbances in her family home. Erin in particular is in awe of the beautiful specter, right up until Gertrude vomits Linda Blair-style all over her.
8 The Scoleri Brothers
Executed via the electric chair, the Scoleri Brothers come back to terrorize their condemner, Judge Wexler, during the trial of the Ghostbusters in Ghostbusters 2.
It’s a superb scene, the brothers looking incredibly gruesome as they soar around the courtroom in their high-voltage chairs. The puppet effects are spectacular, and their hideous laughter is truly macabre. A highlight of the 1989 sequel, and a moment the pushes the plot forward – showing the world that we need the Ghostbusters after all.
7 Zuul & Vinz Clortho
A minion of the almighty Gozer (more on them later), Zuul and Vinz Clortho take many different forms on their quest to serve their beloved demigod.
In Ghostbusters, they take on the form of Terror Dogs in some genuinely unnerving scenes, as they haunt Dana Barrett and Louis Tully in a bid to possess them. In particular, Clortho pursuit of Tully through the streets of New York is as tense as it is funny. Both of the hellhounds manage to possess their intended victims, but thanks to the Ghostbusters their victory is short-lived. They returned in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
6 Gozer
The big bad of the original Ghostbusters and the 2021 sequel, Gozer (also knowns as “Gozer the Destructor”) is a merciless demigod from another universe with designs on the planet earth.
Brought back by their (Gozer is non-binary) minions Zuul and Vinz Clortho, Gozer was thwarted by the Ghostbusters, only to return many years later in the quiet town of Summerville. Insane architect and Gozer worshipper Ivo Shandor had a hand in making sure that Gozer’s resurrection was a success. He got sliced in half for his trouble.
5 The Librarian
The Librarian appears at the beginning of the very first Ghostbusters movie, in one of the franchises most iconic moments. Both funny and scary in equal measure, it sets the standard for the rest of the film.
Venkman, Spengler and an over-excitable (when isn’t he?) Stanz go to investigate some spooky goings-on at the New York City Public Library. They spot her, quietly perusing a book. She politely shushes them when they start to make some unnecessary noise, and after an ill-advised “Get her!” from Ray, she reveals her true horrific visage.
4 Muncher
Slimer (see below) was conspicuously absent from Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but the adorable and mischievous Muncher was a perfect replacement in the 2021 sequel.
Voiced by Frozen’s Josh Gad, Muncher’s name comes from his obsession with, well, munching on things. Metal things, in particular. In fact, he’s able to spit out the metal that he eats like bullets. This causes some grief for the newest Ghostbuster recruits in one of Afterlife’s most thrilling scenes – a car chase through the town in the beloved Ecto-1.
3 Vigo The Carpathian
Arguably a more frightening and intimidating villain than Gozer, Vigo the Carpathian has more than a little in common with Vlad the Impaler, certainly in terms of blood lust. The twisted sorcerer’s soul lurked inside a portrait, awaiting his moment to be born again in the 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters 2.
Vigo posed a real threat to the Ghostbusters, going as far as stealing Dana Barrett’s son to use as a vessel for his demonic resurrection. Humorless and cruel, he remains the darkest of the Ghostbusters foes to date.
2 Mr Stay Puft
Imagine something so harmless, so innocent, so pure. Something that could never cause any harm to anybody or anything. Unfortunately, a Hellish demigod from another dimension is more than capable of making even the most wholesome of things dangerous.
Cue Mr Stay Puft, the marshmallow mascot of Ray Stanz’s childhood, brought to life the size of Godzilla. The angry white sailor stomps through New York City, hell-bent on wiping out the Ghostbusters. Of course, the four heroes win and get covered in melted marshmallow as a result.
1 Slimer
In a franchise full of instantly recognizable iconography, Slimer ranks very highly indeed. The infamous green ghoul who slimes Peter Venkman in the original has become synonymous with the series.
Slimer appeared in the first two films, as well as the underrated 2016 reboot. He was also a huge presence in the animated series, to the point where the show changed its name to Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters! He was absent from Afterlife, but with the next sequel returning to New York, I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him…