As wonderful and original as the 1984 Ghostbusters is, what transformed the movie into a franchise was an animated spin-off series aimed at kids. In 1986, The Real Ghostbusters brought the adventures of Ray, Peter, Egon, Winston, Janine, and Slimer into millions of homes. While the original film was very much for adults, the show had a more kid-appropriate vibe, even if the various ghosts, ghouls, and demons could be terrifying.
