Thanks to www.Ranker.com the crowdsourced rankings website and author Jacob Shelton for putting this list together!
New York Public Library Ghost
Didn’t Sheryl Crow say that “the first ghost is the deepest?” Anyway, the first ghost in the movie is stacking books and knocking over shelves in the basement of the New York Public Library. There probably isn’t actually a ghost in the NYPL, but just to be safe you should burn your library card.
Appears In: Ghostbusters
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man might be the most iconic of all the Ghostbusters ghosts (one of two ghosts who made it to The Real Ghostbusters cartoon). Originally, Mr. Stay Puft was supposed to come out of the water next to the Statue of Liberty in order to get a size comparison. Unfortunately that idea was just too expensive. Lady Liberty would have to wait until another series of angry ghosts attacked New York.
Zuul
Appears In: Ghostbusters
So is Zuul a dog or a sexy lady that sleeps way above the covers? The design for the dog form of Zuul comes from an old church in Philadelphia. Was it a satanic church? Or did they just worship giant evil dogs?
Slimer
Appears In: Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II
You know Slimer. He’s the ghoul who rules while he drools. According to Ghostbusters lore, on set Dan Aykroyd referred to Slimer as the “ghost of John Belushi.” Even director Ivan Reitman has said that Slimer was a tribute to the late great comedian, with whom Aykroyd wrote the original (far different) Ghostbusters script.
The Ghosts of the Titanic
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Initially the producers of the film wanted to include the Hindenburg to appear as a ghostly airship, but instead decided on the eerie visual of dead passengers finally disembarking the Titanic at its destination. Better late than never.
Zombie Cab Driver
Appears In: Ghostbusters
Not much is known about the zombie cab driver (other than the fact that he pulled himself up the grave by his bootstraps and GOT A JOB), but everybody likes him a lot. He is also responsible for a lot of nightmares.
Ye Olde Ghost Train
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
All aboard the ye olde ghoste traine of old New York Central! According to Egon, this train that derailed in Albany in 1920 and killed hundreds of people, leaving them to haunt Winston Zeddemore in 1989. A note of interest about this scene: the ghost train was added in reshoots to give the film “more effects.”
Gozer
Appears In: Ghostbusters
Initially Gozer was meant to be played by Paul Reubens, who would take the form of the building’s architect and founder of the Gozer cult. While that sounds cool, it means that the world would’ve been denied the sight of a super foxy androgynous ghost shooting lightning at Dan Aykroyd.
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Equal parts Vlad the Impaler and Rasputin, Vigo is a 16th century despot who uses his powerful art-based magic to trap himself in a painting in order to transfer his consciousness to a willing body in the 20th century. And he would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for those meddling Ghostbusters.
The Scoleri Brothers
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
The malevolent duo are released by a glob of slime and a whole lot of yelling. These full torso apparitions were put to death in 1948 by Judge Wexler, and apparently they bided their time until the late ’80s when they could haunt the eff out of his courtroom.
Vinz Clortho
Appears In: Ghostbusters
Vinz Clortho, the keymaster of Gozer! His original form was that of a Sumerian god some time around 6,000 BC, and as luck would have it he winds up in the body of Rick Moranis! For all of you Vinz Clorthoheads out there, in IDW’s Ghostbusters: Total Containment series, Clothro appears briefly hanging out with Gozer.
These Heads on Sticks
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Why are there heads on sticks in the “old pneumatic railway system?” Maybe director Ivan Reitman was trying to make reference to the indigenous people of North America, or maybe he just thought it was cool to have a bunch of impaled heads screaming at the characters. Nicely done either way.
Bath Tub Slime Ghost
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
This solid goo manifestation sent to eat Dana and steal her baby (or something like that) might be the scariest ghost in the entire movie. A whole generation of kids scared witless by this thing had a whole new reason to avoid bath time.
The Creature at the Washington Arch
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
After you watch the scene featuring a giant creature spooking people out at the Washington Arch, you might begin to notice that it resembles a few creatures from the Ray Harryhausen school of stop motion design. The shot of the creature was actually done in one take, but legendary creature creator Phil Tippett isn’t even credited.
The Angry Fur Coat
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Originally, the angry fur coat ghost was supposed to appear in the first Ghostbusters, but instead of freaking out on a woman on Park Avenue, it would attack a runway model. Instead it ended up in the sequel, and the visual of a coat running down the sidewalk might be the most satisfying thing in the entire film.
Movie Theater Ghost
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Who can forget the four-armed ghost chasing viewers who dared to use their giant mobile phones during a viewing of Cannibal Girls? Is that what happens? That’s probably what happens.
Ghost Nanny
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Yes, this is technically a possessed version of Dr. Janosz Poha, but “ghost nanny” is definitely a better fit for this paranormal entity. There were a ton of ideas thrown out for what should kidnap Oscar at the end of the film including, “a face on the moon, vapor rising from the street, and a horrible Santa Claus,” but the filmmakers decided to with Janosz in spectral drag instead.
Ray’s Dream Ghost
Appears In: Ghostbusters
The super sexy ghost from Ray’s dream is actually one of the ZZ Top video girls who enjoyed a short career playing ladies being ogled. You wouldn’t think that playing an oral sex-loving ghost is her proudest moment, but judging from her IMDb, it might be.
Possessed Ray
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Is Ray the least capable Ghostbuster? Not only is he sexually attracted to ghosts, but if he’s not covered in goo, he’s getting possessed and that’s not ideal for someone who should be busting ghosts. Possessed Ray might be the creepiest ghost in Ghostbusters II, mostly because of the GIANT pores on his nose. It’s called exfoliant, Ray.
Subway Ghost
Appears In: Ghostbusters
Everyone loves the subway ghost from the first Ghostbusters film. Remember how he threw six-inch sandwiches at passers by and screeched about five dollar footlongs? Oh no, apparently the subway ghost is actually a ghost that pops out of the subway, and not a Subway restaurant.
Floating Crystal Ghosts
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
What is even happening in this scene? Maybe the crystal is haunted? Is there a ghost that just likes to hold lightweight glass items? Someone call Dan Aykroyd and see if he can explain this scene.
Ghost Jogger
Appears In: Ghostbusters II
Fitness is important, even in the afterlife. According to the “Ghostbusters Revisited” article in Cinefex #40, the jogger had to be paintedcompletely white and photographed against a blue screen, while on set the crew had to balance the background plate and the scene’s action to perfectly sequence the effect.
