Look, trying to track down where to watch the Ghostbusters movies right now is honestly like trying to trap a Slimer without a proton pack. It’s messy. One day it’s on Netflix, the next it’s teleported over to Hulu, and if you’re looking for the 1984 original, you might end up staring at a "not available in your region" screen if you don't know where to click.
As of January 2026, the streaming landscape for our favorite paranormal investigators has shifted again. Sony (who owns the franchise) loves to play musical chairs with these rights. If you're sitting on your couch wondering what is ghostbusters streaming on, you've got to look at which specific era you’re trying to visit. The "legacy" movies are in one spot, the 2016 reboot is in another, and the shiny new sequels are currently in transit.
The Big Shakeup: Where to Stream Frozen Empire Right Now
If you’re looking for the newest installment, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, things just got complicated. For most of late 2025, it was sitting comfortably on Netflix thanks to Sony’s "Pay 1" window deal. But that deal has a shelf life.
Frozen Empire is leaving Netflix on January 22, 2026.
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Basically, you’ve got about a week left if you want to watch it there. After that, it’s packing its bags and moving to Hulu and Disney+ (via the Hulu integration hub) in the United States. This is a pretty big deal because it marks the first time a core Ghostbusters movie has really lived under the Disney umbrella in this capacity.
What Is Ghostbusters Streaming On? The 1984 Classic and the Rest
If you want to go back to the beginning—the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, the library ghost, the peak Bill Murray sarcasm—you’re going to need a different set of logins.
The original Ghostbusters (1984) is currently haunting MGM+ (formerly Epix) and Philo. It’s also been popping up on Pluto TV for free, but those "free" windows are notoriously short. One week it’s there with ads; the next it’s gone. Honestly, it’s the most reliable on MGM+ right now.
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- Ghostbusters II (1989): This one is surprisingly harder to find on a "major" subscription service at the moment. You'll mostly find it available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, though it occasionally cycles through Starz.
- Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016): The Paul Feig reboot just made a triumphant (and polarizing) return to Netflix on January 1, 2026. If you want to see Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon take on New York, Netflix is your home for the foreseeable future.
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021): The Spengler family’s first outing in Oklahoma is currently streaming on Starz. It’s also available via Fubo and DirectV Stream if you have those live TV packages.
Why Do These Movies Keep Moving?
It’s all about the licensing. Sony doesn't have its own massive streaming service like Disney or Warner Bros. does. Instead, they act like an arms dealer, selling the rights to the highest bidder for specific "windows" of time.
Netflix usually gets the first crack at the new movies about 4–6 months after they hit theaters. After about 18 months, those rights expire and they head over to Disney/Hulu or sometimes back to cable-adjacent streamers like Starz. It's confusing for fans, but it’s lucrative for the studio.
Quick Reference: The 2026 Ghostbusters Map
- Ghostbusters (1984): MGM+, Philo, or Rent/Buy.
- Ghostbusters II (1989): Mostly Rent/Buy (Apple/Amazon).
- Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016): Netflix (US).
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021): Starz.
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024): Netflix (until Jan 22), then Hulu/Disney+.
The Best Way to Watch Them All in Order
If you’re planning a marathon, you’re basically going to be app-switching. There is no "Ghostbusters Hub" yet. You’d start on MGM+ for the '84 original, jump to a rental for the sequel, hit Starz for Afterlife, and finish on Hulu for Frozen Empire.
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Kinda exhausting, right?
If you're a die-hard fan, this is usually the point where I suggest just buying the digital "bundle" on Vudu or Apple. It’s usually around $40 for the whole collection, and then you don't have to care about which CEO signed which licensing deal this month.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
With Frozen Empire performing well enough to keep the lights on at the firehouse, rumors of another sequel or an animated series are always floating around. For now, the focus is on the streaming transition to Disney+. This move is likely a test to see how the "busting" brand fits alongside Marvel and Star Wars on that platform.
If you’re trying to catch up before the next big announcement, keep an eye on those expiration dates. January 22 is the big "moving day" for the latest film.
Actionable Next Step: Check your Netflix "Leaving Soon" list today. If you haven't seen Frozen Empire yet, watch it before January 22 to avoid having to pay for a Hulu subscription or a separate rental fee next month. If you're looking for the 1984 original, check Pluto TV first—it might still be in their "Free Movies" rotation this week.