12 References the New Ghostbusters Movie Makes to the Original Films

A handful of the original Ghostbusters cast members appear in the reboot, while others either opted out or have sadly passed away. While the actors appear as different characters than their original parts, their mere presence is a nod to the first films.

There are lots of specters and spirits in the new film, but the very first ghost is Gertrude Aldridge, who appears in a preserved mansion in New York City. Not only is there a terrifying portrait of her — similar to the evil portrait of Vigo the Carpathian in Ghostbusters II — but she appears in the mansion's library. This may or may not be a nod to the fact that the first ghost in Ghostbusters appears in the New York Public Library.

The first time we meet Abby (Melissa McCarthy), she's sporting a scientifically engineered cap that supposedly helps her sense ghosts. While it may not be entirely intentional, it looks like a technically advanced version of these hats that Raymond and Egon wear in Ghosbusters II.

Before the women settle into their digs above a Chinese food restaurant, their realtor first shows them a firehouse — Hook & Ladder 8, to be exact. Unfortunately, the rent is astronomical, showcasing how much times have changed since the original team resided at the infamous Hook & Ladder 8. Fun fact: it's still a real operating fire station in SoHo!

The new movie pays homage to the "ECTO-1," the very recognizable car that the first team of Ghostbusters used. The new car is barely an update, and still comes with the "ECTO-1" license plate.

As you've probably seen in the trailers, the team's uniforms are very similar to the original outfits worn by Venkman and Co.

What would a Ghostbusters movie be without Slimer? The green amorphous creature appears in the reboot — along with a girlfriend!

While Fall Out Boy and Missy Elliott's new version of the theme song, titled "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)," has caught some flack for updating the lyrics to be grammatically correct, Aykroyd's character does utter the famous line: "I ain't afraid of no ghost." Thank goodness!

Potts, who played the team's receptionist in the original films, returns as a hotel desk clerk in the reboot. She's on the phone when the new team interrupts her, and she's spouting out her well-known line from the first movie, "Whaddaya want?"

The mega-size marshmallow guy is a memorable part of the first movie, and he briefly appears during the reboot's climactic battle. In fact, several characters get squished under his tubby body.

The ghost with an red line through it is now synonymous with the Ghostbusters brand, and the reboot provides one possible origin. There's a tagger in the subway, and the team asks him if he's seen a ghost. He attempts to draw one with spray paint, then when Patty (Leslie Jones) tells him that's not cool, he paints a red line through it.

If you stay past the credits, you get a scene with the team at their new firehouse headquarters. Patty is listening to her recorder when she suddenly asks, "What is Zuul?" She's referencing the villainous demon from the first movie, hinting that if there's a sequel, he'll probably turn up.