When people think of Ghostbusters, they typically think about it being one of the most beloved comedies of the ’80s, if not in all of cinematic history. The thing that is often overlooked, though, is the fact that it’s a movie about unlikely protagonists capturing ghosts. The movie’s comedy might be at the forefront, but the entire premise is centered around the supernatural.
That means that, once October rolls around, the movie is in heavy rotation. Freeform, in particular, broadcasts virtually every chapter in the long-running franchise as part of its 31 Nights of Halloween programming.
In honor of it being the best time of year, a new commercial for Rivian, known for their electric vehicles, enlists Ghostbusters icons to highlight their cars’ new “Halloween Mode.” The spot first focuses on Slimer and a feast he’s having, only for Bill Murray to show up as Venkman to capture his familiar foe. The promo also shows off what Rivian’s Halloween Mode looks like, though goes the extra mile to trick out their Rivian with ghostbusting equipment.
You can see the new promo below.
Rivian describes the spot, “PKE readings were off the charts. Good thing Dr. Peter Venkman and the Ecto-R1 were ready to take the call. This year, we teamed up with Sony Pictures to bring Ghostbusters to every Rivian. With the press of a button, Halloween mode turns your vehicle into an all-electric ghost-busting ride, with eerie lighting, iconic sounds and a few special tricks. It’s available through November 1, and is just one of the software updates every Rivian gets throughout the year to make your vehicle more fun and more capable. Find a Rivian location near you to see it in action.”
While it’s always exciting to see Bill Murray in the beloved role, it’s not necessarily that surprising. After all, Murray has appeared in all five live-action Ghostbusters movies, though he played a different character in the 2016 reboot.
Murray last played Venkman in 2023’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. As of this writing, the only confirmed new Ghostbusters project on the horizon is the animated series Ghostbusters: Night Shift for Netflix, which takes place in the ’90s and is set to be released in 2027. There are multiple rumored projects in various stages of development, including a potential live-action sequel to Frozen Empire.
Until then, this new Venkman commercial will have to hold us over.
