Ghostbusters II

Ghostbusters II has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Stan, and in the US on YouTube TV. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 4,886 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Bill Murray sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Start it on Stan whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Ghostbusters II is worth clearing space for. Ghostbusters II gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. The discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business. Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1989. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Ghostbusters II holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Ghostbusters II is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Bill Murray sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.