The Most Popular Ghost in the Ghostbusters Franchise, Ranked

Choose the ghost you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 22, 2024 07:09
In the thrilling world of ghost-catching, each spectral entity brings its own flavor of terror and amusement, sparking debates among fans about which ghost truly stands out. By ranking these eerie apparitions, enthusiasts can share their opinions and see which ghost captures the hearts of other fans, blending nostalgia with a dash of spookiness. This interactive list serves as a battleground for fans to champion their favorite spectral beings from the Ghostbusters universe. Each vote helps to shape the list, highlighting the most mesmerizing and memorable ghosts according to collective fan opinion.

What Is the Most Popular Ghost in the Ghostbusters Franchise?

  1. 1
    82
    votes
    Slimer is the most iconic and beloved ghost in the Ghostbusters franchise. He was first introduced in the original Ghostbusters film and has since become a staple of the franchise. Slimer's mischievous behavior and quirky personality make him a fan favorite.
    Slimer is a popular ghost from the Ghostbusters franchise. It is a green, blob-like entity known for its insatiable appetite and mischievous nature. Slimer's appearance is characterized by its round body, bulging eyes, and wide grin. It is often depicted floating in the air and leaving a trail of ectoplasmic goo behind.
    • Color: Green
    • Type: Blob-like ghost
    • Appearance: Round body, bulging eyes, wide grin
    • Abilities: Flight, ectoplasmic residue
    • Personality: Mischievous, gluttonous
  2. 2
    12
    votes
    The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is the giant, marshmallow-shaped ghost that wreaks havoc on New York City in the original Ghostbusters film. He is one of the most memorable ghosts in the franchise and has become a pop culture icon.
    The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is a fictional character and one of the most iconic ghosts from the Ghostbusters franchise. It is depicted as a giant, humanoid figure made entirely out of marshmallow.
    • Height: Around 112.5 feet (34.3 meters)
    • Weight: Approximately 198,000 pounds (89,811 kilograms)
    • Appearance: Cutesy and friendly-looking giant marshmallow mascot
    • Abilities: Immune to most weapons, destructive when provoked
    • Origin: Brought to life by Gozer, the main antagonist in Ghostbusters
    Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in other rankings
  3. 3
    30
    votes
    Vigo is the main antagonist in the sequel Ghostbusters II. He is a powerful ghost who seeks to take over the world and possesses the body of a painting. Vigo's creepy appearance and sinister intentions make him a memorable villain in the franchise.
    Vigo the Carpathian, also known as Vigo the Cruel, is a malevolent ghost and the main antagonist in the movie Ghostbusters II. Vigo is depicted as a powerful 16th-century sorcerer and tyrant who ruled over a small kingdom in the Carpathian Mountains. After his death, Vigo's spirit managed to survive by transferring his essence into a painting that eventually made its way to New York City.
    • Height: 6 feet 9 inches
    • Age: over 400 years
    • Eyes: Glowing red
    • Power: Ability to possess and manipulate individuals
    • Weakness: Psychomagnotheric slime
  4. 4
    12
    votes
    Gozer is the ancient Sumerian deity who appears as the main antagonist in the original Ghostbusters film. Gozer is a powerful and otherworldly being who seeks to destroy humanity. Gozer's iconic appearance and memorable catchphrase ("Choose the form of the Destructor") make her a popular ghost in the franchise.
    Gozer is a powerful supernatural being and the main antagonist in the Ghostbusters franchise. It is often referred to as Gozer the Gozerian or Gozer the Destructor. Gozer takes the form of a genderless deity and its appearance and abilities are based on the beliefs and fears of those who come into contact with it.
    • Origin: Unknown, potentially an ancient Sumerian god or a collective entity
    • Form: Shape-shifting based on chosen destructor form
    • Destructor Forms: Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Gozerian Temple Guardian, and various other monstrous forms
    • Abilities: Reality manipulation, telepathy, telekinesis, resurrection, energy blasts
    • Summoning: Requires a chosen Keymaster and Gatekeeper to open a portal to its dimension
  5. 5
    21
    votes

    The Library Ghost

    Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis
    The Library Ghost is the first ghost that the Ghostbusters encounter in the original film. She is a creepy, spectral figure who haunts the New York Public Library. The Library Ghost's appearance and eerie behavior make her a memorable character in the franchise.
    The Library Ghost, also known as the Grey Lady, is one of the most iconic ghosts featured in the Ghostbusters franchise. It made its first appearance in the original Ghostbusters movie released in 1984. The Library Ghost is a spectral entity that haunts the New York Public Library building.
    • Appearance: Female ghost with a pale, ghastly appearance
    • Abilities: Levitation, book manipulation, and telekinesis
    • Haunting Ground: New York Public Library building
    • Backstory: Former librarian that died in the library and remained trapped as a ghost
    • Encounter with Ghostbusters: First ghost captured by the Ghostbusters team
  6. 6
    12
    votes

    The Scoleri Brothers

    Ivan Reitman
    The Scoleri Brothers are two ghosts who are released from a court case in Ghostbusters II. They are portrayed as tough, streetwise ghosts who are difficult to capture. The Scoleri Brothers' memorable appearance and tough-guy attitude make them a popular ghost in the franchise.
    The Scoleri Brothers are a pair of hostile ghosts featured in the Ghostbusters franchise. They are known for their aggressive and vengeful nature.
    • First appearance: Ghostbusters II (1989)
    • Height: Approximately 6 feet
    • Weight: Unknown
    • Strength: Considerably strong
    • Ectoplasmic status: Fully manifested
  7. 7
    5
    votes

    The Subway Ghost

    Ivan Reitman
    The Subway Ghost is a ghost that haunts the New York City subway system in the original Ghostbusters film. He is a creepy, skeletal figure who appears to be made out of slime. The Subway Ghost's appearance and eerie behavior make him a memorable character in the franchise.
    The Subway Ghost is a popular ghost character in the Ghostbusters franchise. It is depicted as a spectral entity haunting the subway tunnels, known for its eerie appearance and supernatural abilities.
    • Physical appearance: Glowing green translucent figure
    • Ghost classification: Class IV
    • Origin: Spirits of deceased subway workers
    • Powers: Telekinesis, possession, and spectral manipulation
    • Behavior: Mischievous and hostile towards living beings
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    The Grey Lady
    Hugh Stowell Scott · Public domain
    The Grey Lady is a ghost that haunts the New York Public Library in the original Ghostbusters film. She is a creepy, spectral figure who appears to be made out of smoke. The Grey Lady's appearance and eerie behavior make her a memorable character in the franchise.
    The Grey Lady, also known as Eleanor Twitty, is a fictional ghost character in the Ghostbusters franchise. She made her first appearance in the original Ghostbusters film released in 1984.
    • Age: Unknown
    • Appearance: A pale lady in a flowing grey gown, with long, disheveled hair
    • Abilities: Flight, telekinesis, and the ability to phase through physical objects
    • Backstory: Eleanor Twitty was the librarian of the New York Public Library until her death. As the Grey Lady, she haunts the library searching for a stolen rare book.
    • Role: Protagonist turned ally of the Ghostbusters as she guides them to find the missing book.
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    Zuul is the demon dog that possesses Dana Barrett (played by Sigourney Weaver) in the original Ghostbusters film. Zuul is a powerful and intimidating presence in the film, and his iconic appearance has made him a popular character in the franchise.
    Zuul is a powerful and iconic ghost featured in the Ghostbusters franchise. It first appeared in the 1984 film Ghostbusters and is known for its role as the primary antagonist. Zuul is often referred to as 'The Gatekeeper' due to its connection to the ancient Babylonian god Gozer.
    • Appearance: Zuul takes the form of a horned, red-eyed demon dog with a menacing presence.
    • Possession: Zuul possesses a human host, particularly targeting humans with the name 'Dana Barrett'.
    • Gatekeeper: Zuul's primary role is to be the Gatekeeper, protecting the doorway for the ancient god Gozer to enter the human world.
    • Summoning: Zuul can be summoned through rituals involving the Keymaster, another ghost entity.
    • Enormous Strength: Zuul possesses superhuman strength and can cause widespread destruction.
  10. 10
    7
    votes

    The Titanic Ghost

    Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd
    The Titanic Ghost is a ghost that haunts the Titanic exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in the sequel Ghostbusters II. He is a creepy, spectral figure who appears to be made out of water. The Titanic Ghost's appearance and eerie behavior make him a memorable character in the franchise.
    The Titanic Ghost, also known as the Sargassy Specter, is a prominent ghost featured in the Ghostbusters franchise. It is based on the ghost of a passenger from the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. This ghost has become one of the most popular and recognizable spirits that the Ghostbusters encounter during their paranormal investigations.
    • Type: Class V Full-Roaming Apparition
    • Appearance: Spectral human figure wearing early 20th-century clothing
    • Manifestation: Visible only in the presence of water or when in contact with it
    • Abilities: Capable of phasing through solid objects, manipulating water, and causing temperature drops in its surroundings
    • Haunting Grounds: Primarily found near large bodies of water, specifically locations related to the Titanic

Missing your favorite ghost?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular ghost

  1. Screen time and appearance frequency
    Consider how often the ghost appears in the Ghostbusters movies, TV shows, video games, and other related franchises. A ghost that appears more frequently is likely to be more popular.
  2. Impact on the storyline
    Evaluate the importance of the ghost's role in the overall plot of the Ghostbusters stories. A ghost with a significant influence on the storyline will likely be more memorable and popular.
  3. Character design and visual appeal
    Consider the uniqueness and creativity of the ghost's visual design, which can contribute significantly to its popularity. A visually striking or iconic ghost may be more appealing to audiences.
  4. Personality and behavior
    Assess the ghost's unique personality traits and its interactions with the Ghostbusters team and other characters in the franchise. A ghost with a memorable or entertaining personality will likely be more popular.
  5. Humor and entertainment value
    Take into account the ghost's contribution to the humor and entertainment value of the Ghostbusters franchise. Popular ghosts are often those that provide comic relief or are involved in particularly entertaining scenes.
  6. Nostalgia and cultural impact
    Consider how the ghost has influenced nostalgia and popular culture surrounding the Ghostbusters franchise. A ghost that has been referenced in various media, merchandise, or parodies may hold a special place in the collective memory and contribute to its popularity.
  7. Fan reception
    Look at how fans of the Ghostbusters franchise react to the ghost, including discussions in online forums, fan art, and fan fiction. Popular ghosts will likely have a substantial fanbase and be the subject of positive discussions and creative work.
  8. Critical reception
    Assess how critics responded to the ghost's presence in movies, TV shows, or video games. A ghost with generally positive reviews or considered a high point in the franchise will likely contribute to its popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ghost in the Ghostbusters franchise. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ghost is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2281 views
  • 184 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ghost once every 24 hours. The rank of each ghost is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ghost in the ghostbusters franchise

Ghostbusters is a cult classic movie franchise that has been entertaining audiences since the 1980s. The movies, television shows, and video games have all featured a wide range of ghosts and ghouls, each with their own unique personalities and abilities. One of the most popular aspects of the Ghostbusters franchise is the ghosts themselves, and fans have been debating which ghost is the most popular for years. From the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to the terrifying Slimer, there are plenty of ghosts to choose from. So what is the most popular ghost in the Ghostbusters franchise? Let's take a closer look.

Share this article