‘Ghostbusters’ (2016), also known as ‘Ghostbusters: Answer the Call,’ is a comedy film with supernatural elements. Directed by Paul Feig and co-written with Katie Dippold, it is a reboot of the 1984 film. The movie features an all-female cast including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. They start a ghost-catching business in New York City after an encounter with ghosts.
Where was “Ghostbusters” Filmed?
Principal photography for ‘Ghostbusters’ began on June 17, 2015, in Boston. Director Paul Feig and the set designers consulted with MIT physicists to get the details right. Some scenes were filmed in Boston’s Chinatown in early July. Chris Hemsworth was seen filming scenes on the Ghostbusters bike in August. After finishing in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, filming moved to New York City.
New York City, New York
Filming in New York City started on September 12, 2015. It took place in the Tribeca neighborhood, and three days later, in Waltham, Massachusetts. The crew also filmed near Columbia University in New York. Filming was completed in New York City by September 19. Subway scenes were shot on a sound stage because there is no Seward Street station in the New York City Subway system. Reshoots happened in Los Angeles in May 2016, including scenes that responded to the film’s online controversy.
Firehouse: The iconic Firehouse from the original ‘Ghostbusters’ was used for exterior shots in Tribeca.
Ecto-1: The new Ecto-1 vehicle was filmed driving around the streets of New York City and parked in front of buildings like Surrogate’s Court.
Subway Scenes: These were filmed in a studio as there is no Seward Street station in the New York City Subway.
Boston, Massachusetts
Ghostbusters Headquarters: The headquarters in the movie is located at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Essex Street in Boston’s Chinatown. The building is now occupied by Kaze Shabu Shabu Japanese Restaurant.
Concert Venue: The concert scenes were filmed at Boston’s Wang Theatre, a historic building from 1925.
Library Scene: The library scene where the ghost appears was filmed inside the Ames Mansion in Borderland State Park, North Easton. This is the same location used as the house in the 2019 movie ‘Knives Out.’
New York City Mansion: The Castle at Boston University was used as Aldridge Mansion Museum in New York City.
Times Square Replica: A huge replica of New York City’s Times Square was built at the old Naval Air Station in South Weymouth for the movie.
Everett High School: The old Everett High School was renamed Higgins Science Institute for filming.
Columbia University: Erin’s professor scenes were shot near Alfred Lerner Hall at Columbia University.
Other Massachusetts Locations
Yawkey Center: Filming took place at Emmanuel College’s Yawkey Center in Boston.
Latin Academy: Used for some scenes in Boston.
Financial District: Parts of the Financial District, including High, Oliver, Federal, and Franklin Streets, were used.
Stonehurst Estate: Filming also occurred at Stonehurst estate in Waltham and in Somerville’s Union Square.
This guide helps you understand where ‘Ghostbusters’ was filmed, showing both Boston and New York City locations used in the movie.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Ghostbusters
Q: Where was ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) filmed?
A: ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) was primarily filmed in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City. Key locations in Boston included Chinatown, the Wang Theatre, and the Ames Mansion in Borderland State Park. In New York City, filming took place in the Tribeca neighborhood and at various sites around the Financial District.
Q: When did filming start for ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)?
A: Filming for ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) began on June 17, 2015. The production started in Boston before moving to New York City and finishing up with reshoots in Los Angeles in May 2016.
Q: When did ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) release in theaters?
A: ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) was released in theaters on July 15, 2016.
Q: Where was the new Ghostbusters headquarters shown in the movie filmed?
A: The new Ghostbusters headquarters in the film was portrayed by a building located at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Essex Street in Boston’s Chinatown. The building is currently occupied by Kaze Shabu Shabu Japanese Restaurant.
Q: Where were the subway scenes in ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) filmed?
A: The subway scenes in ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016) were not filmed in a real subway station. Instead, they were shot on a sound stage because there is no Seward Street station in the New York City Subway system.
