Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters opened on June 8, 1984, made close to $300 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, and gave the world a theme song that still plays at every Halloween party in America. Forty-two years later, the franchise is still busy. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire came out in 2024, an animated series called Ghostbusters: Night Shift is headed to Netflix in 2027, and another movie is in development. The tan jumpsuit has never really gone out of style. It's also one of the smartest group costumes there is, because every Ghostbuster wears the same thing, and only the name tag changes. HalloweenCostumes.com sells a Deluxe Men's Ghostbusters Costume by FUN Costumes, and right now it's on sale for $49.99 to $69.99, depending on size.

That price includes a proton pack you can actually use as a backpack, plus all four name tags: Venkman, Spengler, Stantz and Zeddemore. So one costume works for any of the four, and a group of four friends can buy the same item and still be four different people.

It's also one of the most reviewed costumes I've looked at on the site. There are 41 reviews with a 4.7-star average, and 83% of them are five stars. The buyers love the backpack and the pockets. The complaints are almost all about sizing, so most of this review is about picking the right one.

What's in the bag

The Deluxe Ghostbusters costume (item FUN1252AD) is officially licensed by Sony Pictures. It includes a jumpsuit, a proton backpack, a wand attachment and four embroidered name tags.

The jumpsuit is 100% polyester broadcloth with a zipper down the front. It has working chest and knee pockets that close with zippers, and the leg hems zip too, which helps with getting it on over shoes. There's an adjustable belt with hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-loop cuffs at the sleeves and an embroidered Ghostbusters logo patch on the right sleeve. The name tags attach with hook-and-loop, so you can switch them out whenever you like.

The proton pack is a canvas backpack with printed graphics on the outside. It has a zippered main compartment and padded shoulder straps you can adjust, and it connects to a foam-tipped wand.

What buyers love: the backpack

The backpack is the most-praised part of the whole costume. Shane J Beard wrote, "Ayeeee who you gonna call? My favorite part of this costume was the proton pack was a backpack." Another buyer said, "Plus the backpack is actually a bookbag. Such a smart alternative to air filled bag."

That's the real advantage here. A lot of proton packs are bulky or inflatable, and they're awful to wear for a whole night. This one holds your phone and keys, with room left for candy. Yashica Rivera, who bought it for a young fan, wrote, "The functional backpack was so good for holding all his goodies!"

But nobody is pretending it looks like the movie prop. One five-star buyer described it honestly: "The proton pack is simply a back pack, a lenth of plastic corrugate hose, & a foam wand. But it's included with the costume, so still a pretty good value. But if you want a more authentic looking proton pack, I suggest looking for a separate one to purchase."

Andrea, who bought one for her husband, was a little harder on it. "About the backpack it is alright but I didn't like the weapon, it was just a a piece of flat cardboard." And a two-star buyer named DlsK wrote, "Everything is good except the backpack looks crappy. Overpriced for the quality."

So think of the pack as a fun, useful bag with a Ghostbusters print, not a replica. If you want the real look, there are upgrades, which I'll get to below.

What buyers love: the jumpsuit

The jumpsuit gets a lot of credit for comfort and details. "Great themed outfits and fun design on the backpacks," one buyer wrote. "The costume fit as expected and even has adjustable velcro for waist/wrist. Plenty of room, pockets, and breathable material." EV said, "This costume was easy to move in and comfortable."

Armando Soto, who's 6 feet tall and 205 pounds in a Large, wrote, "Awesome costume very much like the movie!" And a buyer who goes by PERFECT said, "It was a hit, and I love it too!! I plan on wearing it for years to come!"

The name tags are the other big win. "The costume itself is fantastic," one buyer wrote, "& comes with (4) interchangeable velcro name tags so you can be whichever one you want, & don't have to buy a separate costume for each member of the Ghostbusters."

The fabric gets a few mixed comments. Charles, who's 5'3" and wore a Large, gave it five stars but said the "materials could have been thicker." And one anonymous one-star buyer said it "nearly ripped apart while trying it on." That's the only review like that out of 41, but it's worth trying the costume on carefully when it arrives.

The sizing question

Here's where it gets complicated. The reviews about fit point in two directions.

Some buyers say it runs small. A three-star reviewer wrote, "Size runs smaller than expected. Make sure to go at least a size or two up for it to fit well. Their size chart is not legit." Drew Coppertop, at 6'1" and 225 pounds, said his Large was "a tad small" and he "had to reorder it in XL but I loved it." EV also recommended sizing up.

Other buyers say it fits as described. "The measurements were pretty accurate and it fit my husband well," one wrote. Another said it was "comfortable and true to sizing chart." Andrea called it "definitely true to size."

And the most detailed complaint came from Kozmo, who's 72 inches tall and 185 pounds and bought a Medium. "It's a nice costume--but the sizing chart sucks. I have a 33" waist. The chart shows the AM fits a 39" waist--which is impossible. I could barely zip the jumpsuit up."

I think that last review explains a lot. The size chart on this page lists the measurements of the jumpsuit itself, not the body it fits. The site's own answer in the Q&A says so, calling the waist number "the jumpsuit waist, not your body measurement." So a 39-inch jumpsuit waist is roomy on a 33-inch waist, and the waist probably wasn't the problem.

The more likely problem is height. Kozmo is 6 feet tall, and he bought a regular Medium, which has a 34-inch torso and 62.5-inch overall length. A jumpsuit that's too short in the torso pulls from shoulder to crotch, and that makes the front zipper very hard to close, even if the waist is loose.

How the Tall sizes help

This costume comes in regular and Tall sizes, and that's the key to getting it right.

The regular sizes, XS through XL, all have a 29.5-inch inseam and a 62.5-inch overall length. Only the chest and waist get bigger, along with the sleeve and torso. The torso grows from 32.5 inches on the XS to 36 inches on the XL.

The Tall sizes, Small Tall through XL Tall, add length where it matters. They have a 31.5-inch inseam and longer sleeves. The torso is longer too, from 34 inches on the Small Tall to 40 inches on the XL Tall. The overall length goes from 64.5 to 70.5 inches.

So if you're about 6 feet or taller, look at the Tall sizes first, even if your chest and waist fit a regular. The site's Q&A suggested the XL Tall for a shopper who's 6'5" with a 36-inch waist, since it "gives you the most length of any size we offer." The belt adjusts, so extra room at the waist is easy to fix.

And if you're shorter, the regular sizes may run long. A 5'5" buyer who wore a Small said "the legs are super long on me," though she added that it wasn't an issue. BrittanyTyler, who sized up for her tall son, said the pants and sleeves were too long and needed "a little trimming."

The prices for each size

On sale right now, the Small and Medium cost $49.99. The X-Small costs $59.99, and so do the Large and X-Large. And all four Tall sizes cost $69.99.

So the Tall sizes cost $20 more than a regular Medium. For a tall buyer, it's worth it. Getting a size that zips is the whole game.

Bigger sizes come in a separate listing. The Plus Size Deluxe Ghostbusters Costume for Men is $69.99 to $79.99.

What's not in the bag

Gloves aren't included, and one buyer pointed it out directly: "Gloves are NOT included with this costume." The site sells Ghostbusters Adult Cosplay Gloves for $15.99, or plain Black Costume Adult Gloves for $5.99.

You'll also want boots. Any pair of black work boots or rain boots looks right with the tan jumpsuit, and the zippered leg hems make it easy to pull the pants over them.

Upgrading the gear

If the included pack isn't enough, the site has several upgrades. The Ghostbusters: Cosplay Proton Pack Backpack with Wand costs $34.99. And the big one, the Ghostbusters Proton Pack Costume Replica, costs $249.99. Drew Coppertop wanted it but said "that is a bit pricey. Maybe next year I'll buy it."

For props, there's a Ghostbusters Ghost Trap Costume Accessory for $39.99, a Ghostbusters P.K.E. Meter Costume Accessory for $39.99 and Ghostbusters Adult Cosplay Costume Goggles for $39.99. Each one makes a great accessory for a different member of the team. Give the goggles to whoever's Ray, the meter to Egon and the trap to Winston, and let Venkman do the talking.

Building the whole team

Since every jumpsuit comes with all four names, a team of four is simple. Each person buys their own size, picks a name tag and you're done. Four regular Mediums would cost $199.96, or about $200.

But the site has more options if your team isn't all men's sizes. The Women's Ghostbusters Costume Jumpsuit costs $69.99 and comes with a proton pack and a belt, plus the four name patches. It has 24 reviews and a 3.6-star average, and the fit complaints are louder there. Allyspal, who's 5'5" and wore a Medium, wrote, "3 stars because costume runs small. I recommend to size up if you are curvy." So the advice is the same: size up.

Interestingly, some women chose the men's version on purpose. The 5'5" buyer who wore a men's Small said, "I could have gotten the women's fit, but I wanted to guarantee I had some wiggle room," and "Got a small and it fits great."

For kids, the Kids Ghostbusters Deluxe Costume is the same design, from FUN Costumes, at $39.99 to $49.99, in XS to 2XL. It has 38 reviews and a 4.5-star average. A parent named David wrote, "The measurements were dead on," and another, CW, said "my son used the proton pack as his candy bag." Buyers also say that one runs small.

Don't forget the ghosts

Every team needs something to bust. The Ghostbusters Slimer Costume for Adults costs $69.99 to $79.99, with a foam-backed hooded tunic that has attached mitts. The mesh face screen comes off. It has a 5-star average from 10 reviews, and one buyer noted, "The black mesh in the mouth can be removed (hook and loop) for easy breathing."

There's also the Adult Ghostbusters Stay Puft Costume, on sale for $79.99 to $99.99, with a shirt and pants, plus a collar and a headpiece. It has a 4.3-star average from nine reviews. Buildemfast gave some good tips: "definitely get white gloves and face paint, Also purchase suspenders to hold pant up." But Ashley Stone said the headpiece "was very flimsy and big," and Sad Dad wrote, "Suit is incredibly hot due to thick cheap polyester."

A Stay Puft walking behind four Ghostbusters is a great group photo. A Slimer trying to steal everyone's candy is even better.

Summary

The Deluxe Men's Ghostbusters Costume from FUN Costumes is a polyester jumpsuit with working pockets, an adjustable belt, four swappable name tags and a canvas proton pack that works as a real backpack, on sale for $49.99 to $69.99. It has a 4.7-star average from 41 reviews, and buyers love the backpack and the comfort. The main complaints are about sizing, and most of them seem to come from buyers who needed more length. If you're tall, start with the Tall sizes.

So, is it worth it?

Yes. At $49.99 for a Small or Medium, it's a very good deal for a licensed costume with this many details. The backpack alone makes it more practical than most Halloween costumes, and the four name tags make it the easiest group costume to buy.

I'll admit the sizing debate in the reviews confused me at first. But reading the chart closely, it makes sense. This is a jumpsuit, and jumpsuits are all about torso length. Pick by height first and waist second, and you'll probably be fine.

So measure your torso, check the Tall sizes if you're 6 feet or more and add a pair of gloves. Pick a name tag, fill the proton pack with candy and get the theme song ready. You already know who they're gonna call.