Three eccentric scientists, after being booted from their cushy positions at a university in New York City, set out to forge a new path as paranormal investigators, embracing the public's skepticism about ghosts and hauntings. Peter Venkman, a charismatic but cynical psychologist, Raymond Stantz, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable engineer, and Egon Spengler, a stoic and brilliant expert in the field of parapsychology, stumble upon an actual supernatural threat in the heart of the city. Dismissed by their peers, they decide to turn their fascination with the paranormal into a business, branding themselves as "ghostbusters." They develop high-tech equipment designed to capture and contain ghosts, turning their operation into both a scientific endeavor and a spectral pest control service.

The trio soon finds themselves overwhelmed with cases, as a surge in paranormal activity strikes the city. Their services are put to the test when they encounter a particularly dangerous and powerful entity haunting the apartment of Dana Barrett, a concert cellist who becomes entangled in the strange occurrences. As they delve into the increasingly bizarre phenomena, they uncover a looming threat that could potentially unleash a horde of malevolent spirits upon the city. The team must utilize their scientific prowess and unconventional methods to unravel the mystery surrounding a historic building, facing not only the skepticism of government officials but also a host of supernatural forces intent on stopping them.