Ghostbusters
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Working with a considerable budget of $144.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $229.1M in global revenue (+59% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Ghostbusters (2016) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Paul Feig's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Erin Gilbert is a physics professor at Columbia University seeking tenure, hiding her past belief in the paranormal to maintain academic credibility.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Ed Mulgrave asks Erin to investigate a ghost at the Aldridge Mansion. This forces Erin to confront her paranormal past and reunite with Abby, threatening her academic career.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After being fired, Erin makes the active choice to fully commit to ghostbusting with Abby and Holtzmann, abandoning her academic career to pursue proving the existence of ghosts., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Ghostbusters successfully capture Slimer in Times Square in a spectacular public display. False victory: they seem to be winning, but this draws the attention of the mayor's office and Rowan's plan accelerates., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rowan kills himself to become a ghost and releases all captured ghosts from the containment unit, unleashing hell on New York. The team's work is undone, the city is overrun, and they are blamed for the disaster., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The team realizes Rowan's portal is at the Mercado Hotel and they must reverse the particle flow to close it. They synthesize their scientific knowledge with their newfound belief in themselves to attempt the impossible., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ghostbusters's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Ghostbusters against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Feig utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ghostbusters within the action genre.
Paul Feig's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Paul Feig films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Ghostbusters represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul Feig filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Paul Feig analyses, see Bridesmaids, Spy and Unaccompanied Minors.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Erin Gilbert is a physics professor at Columbia University seeking tenure, hiding her past belief in the paranormal to maintain academic credibility.
Theme
Abby tells Erin: "The world needs to know the truth" - establishing the theme of believing in oneself and standing up for what you know is true despite ridicule.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the main characters: Erin struggling for tenure, Abby and Holtzmann conducting paranormal research, and Patty working as an MTA booth operator. We see Erin's fear of her past being exposed.
Disruption
Ed Mulgrave asks Erin to investigate a ghost at the Aldridge Mansion. This forces Erin to confront her paranormal past and reunite with Abby, threatening her academic career.
Resistance
Erin debates whether to embrace the paranormal or protect her career. The team investigates the mansion, captures their first ghost on video, but the footage goes viral, leading to Erin being fired from Columbia.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After being fired, Erin makes the active choice to fully commit to ghostbusting with Abby and Holtzmann, abandoning her academic career to pursue proving the existence of ghosts.
Mirror World
Patty joins the team after witnessing a ghost in the subway, bringing street smarts and historical knowledge. She represents belief without academic credentials - the thematic counterpoint to Erin's credentialism.
Premise
The fun of being Ghostbusters: developing equipment, catching ghosts, building their reputation, hiring Kevin as receptionist, and investigating paranormal activity across New York. The promise of the premise delivered.
Midpoint
The Ghostbusters successfully capture Slimer in Times Square in a spectacular public display. False victory: they seem to be winning, but this draws the attention of the mayor's office and Rowan's plan accelerates.
Opposition
The mayor's office forces them to deny ghosts exist and discredits them publicly. Rowan reveals himself as the villain, activating devices across the city. The team's credibility is destroyed and paranormal activity intensifies.
Collapse
Rowan kills himself to become a ghost and releases all captured ghosts from the containment unit, unleashing hell on New York. The team's work is undone, the city is overrun, and they are blamed for the disaster.
Crisis
The Ghostbusters face their darkest moment as the city descends into chaos. They must process their failure and find the resolve to fight back despite being powerless and discredited.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The team realizes Rowan's portal is at the Mercado Hotel and they must reverse the particle flow to close it. They synthesize their scientific knowledge with their newfound belief in themselves to attempt the impossible.
Synthesis
The Ghostbusters battle Rowan (possessing Kevin, then as a giant logo), close the portal by crossing the streams and reversing the particle flow, with Erin sacrificing herself by going into the portal before being pulled back by her team.
Transformation
The Ghostbusters are now established in a new firehouse headquarters with full support, no longer hiding or ashamed. Erin has transformed from someone who denied her beliefs for acceptance to someone who stands proud in her truth.