With its wacky humor, creative special effects, and natural chemistry between its four leading stars, Ghostbusters became an instant classic when it premiered in 1984. Written by and starring Harold Rammis, it followed the adventures of three paranormal professors who, after getting fired from Columbia University, decide to start their own paranormal extermination business. Later, they get a new recruit who perfectly rounds up the gang.
The humor in Ghostbusters spans the gambit of jocularity, from Dan Aykroyd’s slapstick to Bill Murray’s laconic dry wit. It’s one of the most quotable movies of all time, inspiring a sequel, a reboot, an animated series, and several comic books. We’ll even get to see some of the old crew get back together for Ghostbusters 2020! But before then, enjoy 10 memes from the movie that are simplytoo hilarious for words.
I AM ZUUL!
Zuul, the Gatekeeper of Gozer, is a powerful Demigod that protected the entrance to a hellish dimension the likes of which the mortal plane couldn’t possibly fathom. Zuul bursts out of a gargoyle on top of the Shandor Building to serve Gozer the Destructor once they arrived in their corporeal form.
In Ghostbusters, Zuul possessed Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) when she was coming home to get ready for her date with Peter Venkman. Zuul turned her into a tempting seductress, uttering the infamous line, “There is no Dana, only Zuul!”.
WE WISH YOU A MERRY GOZER
The main Big Bad of Ghostbusters was Gozer the Destructor, also known as Gozer the Gozerian… and a slew of other prestigious sounding names. Gozer was preceded by Zuul, the Terror Dog, a demigod that heralded Gozer’s manifestation in the human plane.
Worshiped in ancient times by the Mesopotamians and a plethora of other civilizations, Gozer was summoned to New York City to take over the world. In one female form, Gozer looked a lot like an aluminum Christmas tree, while in another form resembles the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
I SEE DEAD PEOPLE
While it was pretty unfortunate that such a cute kid saw dead people in The Sixth Sense, it did make him a candidate for the Ghostbusters. His natural gift would have made him a valuable member of the team, especially since it accepted skeptics.
Several of the members didn’t particularly even believe in ghosts when they were recruited, and even their secretary was on the fence about whether or not the paranormal truly existed. But jobs were scarce for scientists in New York City, and all it took was getting slimed once to become a true believer.
MASS HYSTERIA!
As one of three parapsychology professors with a cushy professor position, Bill Murray’s character is decidedly un-academic. As Dr. Peter Venkman, he’s slightly less nerdy than his peers, among whom are Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Akroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis).
Venkman gets many of the great lines (“We came, we saw, we kicked it’s ass!”), all delivered in that signature Murray sophomoric timber. When the Ghostbusters discuss the coming apocalypse with the Mayor of NYC, it’s Venkman that describes it as, “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria!”.
DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT
How a person presents themselves to the public often determines the level of respect and courtesy that is afforded them. When it comes to getting a successful career, one’s clothes often dictate how easily (or otherwise) they’ll achieve the job they want the most.
If it were as easy to become a Ghostbuster as dressing in a jumpsuit and carrying around paranormal imprisoning gear, then everyone would do it. It’s best to save your best Ghostbuster duds for the convention circuit before you find yourself being called into Gozer’s office.
RIP HAROLD RAMMIS
The late great Harold Rammis, who played Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters, was also the comedic mind behind writing it. He had no intention of starring in it himself, but eventually decided he was the best for the part. That and he wanted to act alongside his pals Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd.
After Rammis passed away, fans paid tribute to his creation by making a memorial outside the firehouse in New York City where the exterior shots were made for the film. They left Nestle Crunch Bars and Twinkies in honor of his creative genius.
MOM, CAN WE GET SOME GHOSTBUSTERS?
The 2016 Ghostbusters film, starring Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, and Leslie Jones, didn’t meet fan or studio expectations. There were many reasons why fans of the original films felt cheated by this “soft reboot”.
Their biggest complaint wasn’t with the all-female cast, but with what they perceived to be poor dialogue and storytelling. It was hard to understand whether or not the film was a continuation of the franchise or a reboot altogether, especially when much of the original films’ content was utilized even if core aspects were virtually ignored. To many, it was just the knock-off Ghostbusters.
DON’T SMASH HIS LUNCHBOX
When Ghostbusters first came out, it became a juggernaut in pop culture where merchandising was concerned. Between its release and the release of Ghostbusters II in 1989, it was the driving force behind the sales of toys, posters, bedroom linens, clothing and of course, lunchboxes.
Ghostbusters inspired novels, a series of comic books, and even got its own animated television show (which in turn got its own set of action figures). Today, fans can get replica proton packs, as well as lunchboxes that look just like ghost traps, perfect for cosplay or you know, food.
TERROR DOG SHAMING
When you scroll through your Facebook feed, you’ll catch glimpses of pet shaming memes. They depict a human’s furry friend with a sign around its neck proclaiming their horrible crimes, like throwing up in their owner’s sock drawer or peeing on their shoe collection.
Pet shaming a Terror Dog would probably go a little differently for the pet owner, mostly because they’d be too possessed by Zuul to embarrass their pets in that way. In fact, Zuul would make the owner wear a sign, reading something like, “I saw something weird in the neighborhood and didn’t call the Ghostbusters.”
KEYMASTER IN THE SHEETS
In Ghostbusters, Louis Tulley pretty much has zero chance with his leggy neighbor, Dana Barrett. He’s a mediocre accountant who lusts for her from afar, unable to conjure up the courage to ask her out and being forced to watch Dr. Venkman beat him to it.
His romantic life takes a turn for the better when Dana gets possessed by Zuul and he gets turned into the Keymaster, allowing them both to be vassals of Gozer the Destructor. Maybe “Gozer the Matchmaker” should be added to the demi-gods list of monikers.
