Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Columbia/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock (5885744az) Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray Ghostbusters - 1984 Director: Ivan Reitman Columbia USA Scene Still S.O.S. Fant?mes
Netflix has left fans nervous following the news a 80s franchise is being turned into an animated show(Picture: Columbia/ Kobal/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Netflix has left fans of the Ghostbusters franchise on edge after it was reported the streaming service would be making an animated TV series based on the iconic 80s film.

Hitting the big screen in 1984, the supernatural comedy film starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as three eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City.

Released to critical acclaim, the movie was the second highest-grossing film of that year in the United States and the then-highest-grossing comedy ever.

The success of Ghostbusters then launched a multi-billion dollar multimedia franchise, leading to a sequel five years later, as well as video games, board games, comic books, clothing, music, and haunted attractions.

It was then followed by a reboot in 2016, then Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 2021 and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire this year.

There was also a popular animated series released in 1986, The Real Ghostbusters, and its follow-up Extreme Ghostbusters in 1997.

Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray in Ghostbusters staring at the sky appearing shocked
The first Ghostbusters movie was released in 1984 (Picture: Columbia/ Kobal/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Another TV show is now in the pipeline, with news that streaming giant Netflix is going ahead with a series first reported on two years ago.  

Exact plot details have not been revealed, but sources have told Variety the 3D animated series will be tonally in line with the recent Ghostbusters films.

The publication has also reported that the series will be written by Elliot Kalan, best known for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Although many fans have welcomed him being part of the project, many have said they are unsure about the idea of another animated show.

A posted for the animated The Real Ghostbusters TV series
The Real Ghostbusters series aired from 1986 until 1991 (Picture: DIC Entertainment)
An animated posted for the Extreme Ghostbusters TV series
It was followed by Extreme Ghostbusters in 1997 (Picture: Adelaide Productions)

‘This is unnecessary.  A perfectly good Ghostbusters animated series already exists,’ user dpattenjr posted on X.

‘Why can’t we just let it go. Everything after the first movie has been meh. Ghostbusters 2 was alright. The animated series was bleh. Every other movie they’ve made has been bad. Just let it go,’ Mark shared.

On a Reddit thread, one poster declared: ‘We’re addicted to nostalgia, and it is sucking the life out of entertainment.’

Others said Ghostbusters was a ‘very tired brand’ but said the series was in ‘capable hands’ with Kalan.

Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Paul Feig, Kristen Wiig and Kate Mckinnon in Ghostbusters
A all-female film reboot later hit screens in 2016 (Picture Columbia/ Feigco/ Kobal/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, and Logan Kim in Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released in 2021 (Picture: Columbia Pictures/ Everett/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
A scene showing characters looking at the ceiling of a room appearing shocked in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
The latest, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, hit screens earlier this year (Picture: Columbia Pictures/ Everett/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Another quipped: ‘I look forward to a wonderful first season and inevitable cancellation.’

The upcoming project will be the third animated series in the franchise’s history.

The Real Ghostbusters continued the adventures of the characters from the original film, airing for 140 episodes from 1986-1991.

It was followed by Extreme Ghostbusters which aired for 40 episodes.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Netflix for comment.

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