By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Who you gonna call? For one night only, Coral Gables residents can answer that question in person—with proton packs optional.

This Sunday, August 10, at 5 p.m., the historic Miracle Theatre will host a free screening of the 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters as part of the Great Movie Ride Film Series, presented by Actors’ Playhouse and the Kirk and Lydia Menendez Family Endowment. Admission is complimentary, but seats are limited and expected to fill quickly.

The event is more than a nostalgic film screening. It’s part of an ongoing community cinema series launched by former Coral Gables Commissioner Kirk Menendez, whose family endowment sponsors the screenings. The series aims to bring neighbors together at one of the city’s most beloved venues, with a lineup of iconic titles that spans decades and genres. Ghostbusters marks a high point in the program—drawing on the lasting popularity of the supernatural comedy and its cultural legacy.

Directed by Ivan Reitman, Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as an unlikely team of unemployed parapsychologists who set up shop in Manhattan to trap and remove ghosts—using a mix of tech wizardry, sarcasm, and street-level hustle. The film became an instant hit on its 1984 release, dominating the summer box office and launching a franchise that continues today.

Alongside its memorable cast, Ghostbusters carved out a special place in pop culture with its now-iconic theme song by Ray Parker Jr., its mix of horror and humor, and an arsenal of instantly recognizable props—from the Ecto-1 hearse to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Nearly 40 years later, the franchise has expanded to include multiple sequels, animated series, comic books, video games, and a rebooted film universe. The most recent installment, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, premiered in 2024.

While the film’s visual effects may now feel charmingly analog, its script, timing, and chemistry hold up. Ghostbusters remains a rare genre-bending success: part buddy comedy, part action flick, part sci-fi farce. Its lasting appeal lies in how un-seriously it takes itself, even as its stakes escalate to apocalyptic levels. Audiences today still laugh, still cheer, and still know the theme song by heart.

In Coral Gables, the free screening reflects a broader commitment to accessible, high-quality arts programming. The Miracle Theatre, home to Actors’ Playhouse, has long been a cultural anchor on Miracle Mile. These screenings further solidify the theater’s role not just as a performing arts venue, but as a gathering space for families, film fans, and community members alike.

“Events like this remind us why the arts matter,” said a representative from the organizing team. “They bring people together across generations—to laugh, to remember, and to share something joyful.”

Reservations are open and seating is limited. While the screening is free, advance tickets are strongly encouraged to ensure availability.

To reserve your spot, contact the Miracle Theatre Box Office at 305-444-9293, ext. 2.

Whether you grew up quoting every line or are introducing the film to a new generation, Ghostbusters offers an evening of fun, nostalgia, and shared laughter. And in a summer of high heat and higher streaming bills, few things beat seeing a classic on the big screen—especially when it’s free.

So this Sunday, pack up the kids, call your friends, and make your way to Miracle Mile. When ghosts threaten New York, there’s only one number to call. But when great movies return to Coral Gables, there’s only one place to be.

And yes, proton packs are encouraged.