Every great once-in-a-while — about three times a year, in my experience — “liking” a project’s official Facebook fan page results in being treated to some worthwhile news. In this case, a post from the official Ghostbusters movie page had an embedded video of the film’s original trailer, with one small alteration on the end: Ghostbusters is coming back to theatres for the first time since 1985, this October. Looking around on the web, it seems like it’ll be hitting Halloween weekend.
Personally, I find this much more pleasant news than the ever-present rumors of Ghostbusters 3, which has never seemed to be going down a good track. I find myself more excited than I probably rationally should be. I own Ghostbusters (and Ghostbusters 2) on DVD; I can watch it any time I want. But I’ve never seen it in the theatre. Seeing it on the big screen would be a real treat. It is interesting, in this day and age of Blu-Ray, DVDs, and DVRs, that film companies seem to be getting interested in re-releasing things in theatres once again. The Lion King and Top Gun have both been announced as getting re-releases, although both of those are getting after-the-fact 3D treatments for the reissues. I’ve seen no mention of Ghostbusters getting a 3D conversion, and frankly? I’m OK with that. It stands on its own and needs no 3D gimmick. Of course, that could be said of The Lion King and Top Gun as well. But it does all make me wonder exactly what’s motivating this from Hollywood. As far as I can remember, it’s been about 20 years since any studio has made a habit of re-releasing films into theatres. Has there been some shift in peoples’ buying habits that makes them think it’s worth trying this again?
Morgan on Media 
That IS cool.
I dont know if I’ll catch it? I’m pretty occupied catching new movies for the blog. But it definitely is cooler than GB 3. LOL!
They just rereleased Scarface too. But only for one night. And like, a Wednesday. How am I supposed to see it? Tuh. But anyways, I digress…
Yeah, one night in the middle of the week is hardly an opportunity.
I think it’s all the streaming services. I’m pretty sure they’re either taking a big bite, or about to take a big bite, out of DVD/Bluray sales. So, seeing how they’ve been historically unprepared for change in the industry, they’re throwing cash-spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. I think this is a great idea, but I’d really like to see them take the “Midnight Movie” route, and charge less for these re-releases than your average new blockbuster. Either way, I’d definitely pay full pop to see Ghostbusters.
You might be right. I was thinking about the streaming services and DVRs as being a possible reason as well. And I’m with you on the “Midnight Movie” route. One of my local movie theatres is a cheap (about $2 now) second-run theatre. Several years back, they had a deal during the summer in which they’d show much older movies on the weekend at midnight for the same price (then $1.50) as their usual fare. It’s how I first saw “Top Gun” and “The Crow”. Unfortunately, they only did it for that one summer, and never revisited the idea, which disappointed me greatly.
Recently I got to see Grease, Back to the Future and American Graffiti in the theater… It was awesome. Last year I lived in Berkeley and there was this theater that used to screen old movies every thursday night: 5$, film trivia and lots of free candies. The atmosphere was really something. So, as Spikor said first, I wish they take the “Midnight Movie” route.
I got here thanks to fogsmoviesreviews’ post. Great place! 🙂
Welcome aboard! Those seem like they would have been great movies for the “Midnight Movie” route.