The Ghostbusters are returning to animation for the first time in over thirty years. According to Variety, Netflix has officially ordered a new animated Ghostbusters series, with four-time Emmy winner Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show, Mystery Science Theater 3000) signing on as showrunner, writer and executive producer.
The plot of the series and its cast of characters are yet to be announced, but sources from Variety say the series will be tonally similar to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife and 2024’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. With Jason Reitman (Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Juno) and Gil Kenan (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Monster House) of Ghost Corps, Inc. taking the helm as executive producers, it is possible that the series could revolve around the newest generation of Ghostbusters introduced in those films.
The series was first reported to be in development at Netflix as early as 2022. Variety reporting that it would be 3D animated and created in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation, the same studio responsible for the critically and commercially successful Spider-Verse films.
In March, Kenan confirmed to Comicbook that the series was in full development, stating, “I’ve seen the sets and the environments, and I just saw my first glimpse at a world of supernatural characters as realized by our brilliant creative team. All I can say is the work is being done as we speak.”
While the Ghostbusters have returned to the big screen twice since their sequel in 1989, the famous ghost hunters haven’t been seen in animation since the 90s. They made their animated debut in 1986 with The Real Ghostbusters, following the original film’s characters. The series ran until 1991 and was followed by 1997 spin-off series called Extreme Ghostbusters, which followed a younger group of Ghostbusters led by Egon Spengler.
There is currently no estimated release date for Netflix’s new series.