Lego Ghostbusters (stylized as LEGO Ghostbusters) is a Lego theme based on the Ghostbusters franchise created by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It is licensed from Columbia Pictures and Ghost Corps (Sony Pictures). The Lego Ghostbusters theme was first introduced in 2014. The first set was released in June 2014 as part of the Lego Ideas theme (formerly known as Lego Cuusoo). Later, a set based on the Ghostbusters' firehouse was released and one set based on the Ghostbusters: Answer the Call. The Lego Group also used this license for character and level packs in the Lego Dimensions toys-to-life video game. In 2018, a set was released as part of the Lego BrickHeadz theme. In 2020, another set was released in November 2020 and based on Ghostbusters: Afterlife film.
Overview
Lego Ghostbusters is based on the Ghostbusters franchise. The product line focuses on the Ghostbusters characters who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Lego Ghostbusters aimed to recreate the main characters in Lego form, including Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore.
Development
Lego Ghostbusters began with the release of a user-designed construction set based on the Ectomobile (or Ecto-1), the vehicle that features in the films. The design was submitted to Lego Cuusoo by Australian video game artist Brent Waller. The design achieved 10,000 votes, after which it was selected for production. It was chosen for having "broad worldwide appeal and the fact that the model lends itself to challenging and creative building for both children and adult fans". The set was produced to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original 1984 film.
Lego Ghostbusters was inspired by the Ghostbusters film franchise. The Lego construction toy range is based on the film franchise and developed in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products. The construction sets were designed to recreate the story and characters of the film series in Lego form.
Toy line
Construction sets
According to Bricklink, The Lego Group released a total of 3 Lego sets as part of Lego Ghostbusters theme.
The Lego Ghostbusters theme was launched at the New York Toy Fair in 2014. Following the successful campaign by Brent Waller for the Lego Cuusoo idea, The Lego Group released the first construction toy set based on the film. Ghostbusters Ecto-1 (set number: 21108) was based on the Ectomobile from the Ghostbusters franchise and was released in June 2014. The release of the set coincided with the 30th anniversary of the original 1984 Ghostbusters film on 7 June 2014. The set included Lego minifigures of Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore. It also included paranormal detection equipment, a removable roof and a tracking computer. The Lego Group announced the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 (set number: 21108) was retired by the end of 2016.
In 2016, Firehouse Headquarters (set number: 75827) a second set based on the Ghostbusters' firehouse was released in January 2016. Firehouse Headquarters (set number: 75827) was the largest set. The set contained 4634 pieces with nine minifigures and was recommended for builders with an age rating of 16+. The Firehouse Headquarters had nine rooms including a laboratory, containment unit, darkroom, garage bay, office area, kitchen, sleeping quarters, bathroom and recreation room. The set featured opening walls for easy play access. The doors of the Firehouse Headquarters could open to fit the Ghostbusters Ecto-1(set number: 21108) inside. The set included three ghost figures of Slimer, Pink Ghost and Blue Ghost. The Lego Group announced the Firehouse Headquarters (set number: 75827) was retired by the end of 2018.
Later, Ecto-1 & 2 (set number: 75828) based on Ghostbusters: Answer the Call film was released in July 2016. Ecto-1 & 2 (set number: 75828) was the third set. The set featured the Ecto-1 vehicle, Ecto-2 motorbike and five minifigures with a ghost figure. The set contained 556 pieces and was recommended for builders with an age rating of 8–14. The set included Lego minifigures of Abby Yates, Erin Gilbert, Jillian Holtzmann, Patty Tolan, Kevin and along with Mayhem ghost figure. It also included removable roof with paranormal detection equipment, 4 proton packs, proton sidearm, an ion shield gun, PKE Meter, 2 traps and a toolbox. The Lego Group announced the Ecto-1 & 2 (set number: 75828) was retired by the end of 2017.