10 Witty Lines From 'Ghostbusters' That Are Endlessly Quotable (2024)

40 years have passed since Ghostbusters was released worldwide and it is still one of the best movie experiences of the 20th century. Not only is Ghostbusters a perfect exercise in its balance between horror and comedy. It is also a pretty funny movie if you're a comedy enthusiast and want to stay exclusively on the comedy side of things (without seeing anything too spooky).

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The script by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, who play Egon Spengler and Ray Stantz in the movie, respectively, is quirky and smart. It's very well-paced, balancing the two genres with the signature tone that makes the movie an entertaining and very rewatchable pick. We went through it, again, and picked some of the best witty quotes from the dialogue. Dare we say it? Yes! Next time you hear things in the dark, pick up the phone because you know very well “who ya gonna call.”

10 “How Is Elvis, and Have You Seen Him Lately?”

In our first pick for witty Ghostbusters quotes, we’re choosing a line mentioned right as the Ghostbusters wreak havoc on the Sedgewick Hotel. But at least they capture a ghost. A montage then takes place, and Dan Aykroyd's Ray Stantz is asked a very important question by talk show host Joe Franklin. At the absurdity of the question, Ray is shown to be a bit impressed.

The Film’s Now Iconic Montage of the Ghostbusters Becoming Famous

Joe Franklin: "I'm sure there's one big question on everybody's mind, and I imagine you are the man to answer that. How is Elvis, and have you seen him lately?"

9 “Why Worry? Each One of Us Is Carrying an Unlicensed Nuclear Accelerator on His Back.”

As we mentioned above, Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters is the perfect mix between horror and comedy. But sometimes it really ups the volume on situational comedy, while relying on three great comic performers. This quote is Venkman’s as the team realizes the proton pack on their backs isn’t exactly safe. When Egon lights Ray’s pack, he and Venkman subtly lean back waiting for disaster.

The Team on an Elevator and Ray Asking Egon to Switch on the Proton Pack

Ray Stantz: "You know, it just occurred to me that we really haven't had a successful test of this equipment."

Egon Spengler: "I blame myself."

Peter Venkman: "So do I."

Ray Stantz: "Well, no sense in worrying about it now."

Peter Venkman: "Why worry? Each one of us is carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back."

Ray Stantz: "Yep. Let's get ready. Switch me on!"

8 “Okay, Who Brought the Dog?”

The Ghostbusters franchise is filled with great actors, but arguably none are as funny as Rick Moranis when playing Louis Tully. In the scene with probably one of the funniest quotes from the movie, Tully is the host of a party. He takes some coats and throws them in the bedroom where a demonic hellhound is chilling, but Tully doesn’t notice it. Right after he asks if anyone wants to play Parcheesi, an otherworldly growl is heard and Tully innocently asks the wrong question.

Tully’s Party and the Disaster About to Begin

Louis Tully: "Okay, who brought the dog?"

7 “Ray, When Someone Asks You If You’re a God, You Say 'Yes!'”

The legacy of the Ghosbusters is unquestioned. Part of the movie’s appeal is that it never takes itself too seriously, even when malignant goddesses flashes onto our screen. In this quote, Winston is right when pointing out something pretty obvious to Ray: they were not dealing with an average ghost in the third act, and Gozer was happy to show its destructive power, almost throwing them off the building.

Gozer, the Ancient Entity, Unleashing Her Power Right After Ray Introduces Himself

Gozer: "Are you a God?"

Raymond Stantz: "No."

Gozer: "Then... die!"

Winston Zeddemore: "Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say 'yes!'"

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Top 150 Movie Quotes of All Time

6 “Try To Imagine All Life as You Know It Stopping Instantaneously and Every Molecule in Your Body Exploding at the Speed of Light.”

Few ‘80s movies are as important and iconic as Ghostbusters. Proton packs used to be one of those movie toys everyone wanted to have, but as Egon explains in one of his iconic quotes, perhaps owning one isn’t such a good idea.

The Ghostbusters Hunt Down a Ghost in the Restaurant at the Sedgewick Hotel

Egon Spengler: "There's something very important I forgot to tell you."

Peter Venkman: "What?"

Egon Spengler: "Don't cross the streams."

Peter Venkman: "Why?"

Egon Spengler: "It would be bad."

Peter Venkman: "I'm fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, 'bad'?"

Egon Spengler: "Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light."

Raymond Stantz: "Total protonic reversal."

Peter Venkman: "Right. That's bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon."

5 “Generally You Don’t See That Type of Behavior in a Major Appliance.”

The scene in question shows the reason why the original Ghostbusters is such a good piece of comedy writing. As Dana arrives at the station and Venkman instantly falls for her, he admits her for study, and when she describes what has been happening at her apartment, Venkman spews out a sarcasm bomb.

Dana Barrett Gets Analyzed by the Team (and Hit On by Venkman)

Dana Barrett: "This voice said 'Zuul,' and then I slammed the refrigerator door and I left. That was two days ago and I haven't been back to my apartment."

Peter Venkman: "Generally, you don't see that kind of behavior in a major appliance."

4 “If There’s a Steady Paycheck in It, I’ll Believe Anything You Say.”

The Ghostbusters need some manpower. The three of them aren’t enough. Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) is interviewed by Janine who, noticeably bored, starts asking him about his beliefs, and he replies in a very honest fashion.

Winston’s Short Interview

Janine Melnitz: "Do you believe in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis?"

Winston Zeddemore: "If there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say."

3 “Yes, It’s True. This Man Has No D**k.”

For the most recent Ghostbusters entry, Walter Peck the Inspector came back, this time as Mayor, and he still holds some grudges. Originally, Peck condemned the presence of the ghost hunting team in his beloved city and accused them of using gas to cause mass hallucinations. As usual, Venkman used snarky remarks to ridicule him. This one is the boldest line in the entire film.

Inspector Peck Trying to Put the Ghostbusters Behind Bars

Raymond Stantz: "Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shut off by d*ckless here."

Walter Peck: "They caused an explosion!"

Mayor: "Is this true?"

Peter Venkman: "Yes it's true. This man has no d*ck."

2 “Human Sacrifice, Dogs and Cats Living Together… Mass Hysteria!”

One thing you can't fault the original Ghostbusters for is its smart and funny dialogue. It’s smart screenwriting and, at the same time, it shows the comedic timing of Bill Murray’s performance as Venkman. Sometimes it’s hard to believe he didn’t improvise his lines, and this one is proof.

The Scene is the Ghostbusters Trying to Convince the Mayor of the Danger of Not Letting Them Do Their Job

Peter Venkman: "This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions."

Mayor: "What do you mean, 'biblical'?"

Raymond Stantz: "What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff."

Peter Venkman: "Exactly."

Raymond Stantz: "Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!"

Egon Spengler: "Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes..."

Winston Zeddemore: "The dead rising from the grave!"

Peter Venkman: "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"

Mayor: "All right, all right! I get the point!"

1 “Since I’ve Joined These Men I’ve Seen S**t That’ll Turn You White.”

Some parts of Ghostbusters are actually pretty scary. Winston, the fourth Ghostbuster, had probably seen a thing or two when he decided to stand up to the mayor of the city and say his funniest line, considering he’s an African-American man.

The Team Trying to Convince the Mayor and Winston Saying His Best Line

Winston Zeddemore: "I'm Winston Zeddmore, Your Honor. I've only been with the company for a couple of weeks, but these things are real. Since I joined these men, I've seen sh*t that'll turn you white."