Netflix is producing a new animated Ghostbusters series based on the popular movie franchise. The streaming service has teamed up with Sony Pictures Animation for the project. Elliott Kalan will serve as the head writer and showrunner. Kalan is an Emmy-winning writer known for his work on The Daily Show and Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan will executive produce the series. Reitman and Kenan directed the last two Ghostbusters films, Afterlife and Frozen Empire. Sources say the animated show will have a similar tone to the recent blockbuster movies. This hints that characters introduced in Afterlife, like Phoebe and Trevor Spengler, may appear in cartoon form.
Development of the animated Ghostbusters has been ongoing for several years. In March 2024, Kenan provided an update saying he saw early artwork and environments from the creative team. “I just saw my first glimpse at a world of supernatural characters as realized by our brilliant creative team,” Kenan stated.
The series will continue the revival of the Ghostbusters franchise sparked by the box office success of Afterlife and Frozen Empire. Those films brought back original cast members and introduced new characters, reenergizing fan interest. If given the green light, the Netflix show would reach a global audience through the streaming platform.
Fans will be curious to see how closely the animated world connects to the film storylines. It also remains unknown if franchise legends like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson may lend their voice talents. Production is said to now be in “full development,” so more details should emerge in the coming months.
