When Does "Ghostbusters II" (1989) Take Place?
"Ghostbusters II" is a supernatural comedy film written by Dan Aykroyd with Harold Ramis that released June 16th, 1989. So when is "Ghostbusters II" set?
It takes place in the year:
We know this because in the story's big climax, the Ghostbusters pass the real-world New York City office building Trump Tower, which finished construction in July of 1983 AD. It's seen with no support scafolding so it must be after July of 1983 AD.
1989? AD
We know this because in the story's big climax, the Ghostbusters pass the real-world New York City office building Trump Tower, which finished construction in July of 1983 AD. It's seen with no support scafolding so it must be after July of 1983 AD.
More specifically, New York City mayor Lenny says, "Jack, I spent an hour last night in my bedroom talking to Fiorello La Guardia and he's been dead for 40 years." The real-world mayor of New York City Fiorello La Guardia (1882-1947) passed on September 20th, 1947 AD. That would put us around September of 1987 AD.
1,947 + 40 = 1,987.
Furthermore, the movie opens directly with a white on black relative time setting title card that reads: "5 YEARS LATER", presumably with the intention that audiences will this watch directly after the previous film, "Ghostbusters" (1984), which takes place in (possibly October of) 1984 AD.
10.1,984 + 5 = 10.1,989.
Specifically, about one-tenth into the narrative a calendar can be seen in Dana Barrett's kitchen behind her little son Oscar and her maid that is open to the "November" page plus the huge hanging banner outside the New York Museum of Art tells us an exhibit there is currently being held from "November 14-March 3". So it's very likely during November of 1989? AD at the beginning.
Later, the Ghostbusters wear Santa Claus hats and near the end of the tale the audience can see under the marquee of a movie theater a small banner that reads, "Special NEW YEARS Midnite SHOW". Plus, earlier . So presumably it is New Years Eve, December 31st, 1989? AD at the end.
Finally, there are a few shots during the closing credits that seems to form a very quick epilogue because a giant banner is seen reading "THANK YOU GHOSTBUSTERS". Assuming this takes place soon after the conclusion of the main action, it is almost certainly early 1990 AD.
It was adapted to comics in late 1989, as a video game in 1989, as a different video game in 1990, and then yet again as a video game titled "New Ghostbusters II", also in 1990.
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