Examples of Ho Yay in the Ghostbusters franchise.
Original Film Series:
- Ghostbusters (1984):
- Egon and Ray. In the scene where Dana first arrives at Ghostbusters HQ, Egon sits down very, very close to Ray on the couch with his Cheez-Its. Despite having plenty of room to his left to scoot over if he wants to, Ray doesn't. They also huddle together in terror just before Stay-Puft is revealed. One almost wonders if it was intentional.
- Lenny the mayor and Mike the archbishop's relationship seems rather warm. Lenny even touches Mike's face.
- Ghostbusters II:
- Watch Egon's face after "Do" "Ray" "Egon". That scene even inspired this video
. It's a little NSFW, but it collects pretty much all of the Ho Yay in the movies. - And then there's the scene where Egon and Ray have figured out that the mood slime reacts if they yell at it. After Ray has yelled at it for a couple of minutes to demonstrate the effect to Winston and Peter, Peter asks him something like, "Is this what you two do here after I go home at night?" The way Ray smirks and nods in answer to that has some definite, ah, implications.
- Egon looks pretty guilty after Peter asks if he and/or Ray are "sleeping with" the mood slime. Ray just looks at Egon as if saying "Are you gonna tell them or me?" It's almost implying that they're both sleeping with the slime. Egon asks Ray if he's okay before checking on Peter or Winston after Vigo the Carpathian paralyzes the Ghostbusters in the climax of the sequel (Ray also checks on Egon before anyone else).
- Watch Egon's face after "Do" "Ray" "Egon". That scene even inspired this video
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire: Phoebe and Melody grow very close over the course of the film and share many intimate and tender scenes that could be read as romantic. Melody calls Podcast a "third wheel" (a platonic friend who hangs around with romantic couples), Phoebe describes Melody as the only person who understands her, Phoebe puts herself on ice to separate her spirit from her body so she and Melody can "be together" (as in "together on the same plane of existence", but still) and they end the film with a very bittersweet Reunion Vow. It's a little subtle, but she uses a machine to 'die a little' and become a ghost for a few minutes. Then, remember the French expression le petit mort...
Ghostbusters (2016):
- Holtzmann is quite flirtatious with the other female characters throughout the movie, but is particularly so with Erin, who frequently appears awkward but otherwise flattered by her attentions.
- Holtzmann introducing herself to Erin flirtatiously.Holtzmann: Holtzmann. Virgo. Avid-skier. Gluten-full. And 100% jazzed to meet you.
- One of the first things Holtzmann notices about Erin is that she carries a lot of tension in her shoulders.
- When Erin and Abby are talking about the book in the lab, Holtzmann is seen putting her arm around Abby.Abby: Holtzmann works for me here in this lab. She's a brilliant engineer and very loyal. She would not abandon you.
- Holtzmann winking at Erin while Abby talks.
- The whole The Missus and the Ex dynamic between Erin, Abby and Holtzmann; although never (overtly identified as) a romantic couple, Erin and Abby were research partners and friends until Erin 'dumped' Abby, leading to initial tension and awkwardness when Erin reenters Abby's life only to find that Abby has replaced her with Holtzmann, a younger, more dynamic and confident partner with whom she appears to gel better. Gradually downplayed, however, as beyond that initial tension Erin and Abby gradually begin to renew their friendship and, beyond some initial protectiveness and teasing, Holtzmann doesn't show that much hostility towards Erin (and in fact seems much fonder of flirting incessantly with her).
- Holtzmann joking about queefing and asking if she could do a live demonstration for Abby and Erin.
- Holtzmann videotaping Erin, getting too close for comfort and asking about her wardrobe.Holtzmann: Ma'am, can you tell us where you got the world's tiniest bow tie?
- Abby practically fawning over the Aldridge Mansion ghost and describing the ghost in the mansion as "the most beautiful thing I had ever seen" and telling it up close "I think you're gorgeous".Abby: We saw a ghost. You know, and she was beautiful. But, I got to say, even that was kind of spectacularly beautiful.
- Holtzmann appearing right behind Erin in the frame of their video as they celebrate having seen the Aldridge Mansion ghost.
- Holtzmann lip-syncing and dancing along to "Rhythm Of The Night" by DeBarge to impress Erin.
- This exchange between Patty and Holtzmann in the subway:Patty: Baby, if I knew what it was, I wouldn't say "a weird sparking thing".
Holtzmann: You're mouthy. I like that. - Holtzmann getting close to Erin in the subway by having her go first and test their new untested nuclear laser gun aimed at the ghost in the subway. Complimenting her by saying she has the longest arms. Followed by her putting protection collar on her neck.
- Holtzmann immediately yanking the equipment collar off Erin's neck and saving her from the subway ghost and the oncoming train.
- Erin and Abby talking about how they bonded through ghost stories in college and being each other's only friend.Erin: Abby was the only one who believed in me.
- Holtzmann telling Erin she has questions for her, then she winks at her. Erin smiles and accepts this.
- Holtzmann's wink afterwards isn't just a flirt, it's also a moment of genuine camaraderie and support after Erin shares her painful story.
- Holtzmann smiling in awe at Abby and Erin's presentation and telling Patty thank you for requesting such. Followed by her rhythmic clapping applause and telling Erin and Abby she's so happy that they got back together. Pitching their cheeks while doing so with a group hug.
- Holtzmann playfully scaring Erin by standing close by wearing a purple 80's hair metal wig.
- The "crossing streams" reference. When trying to stop the ghost, Holtzmann warns Erin not to let her beam get entangled with Holtzmann's beam because of too much power and it would cause a counter-reaction. Because she's concerned for her safety.
- Holtzmann telling Erin and Abby that they're all doing great and Patty to try a little harder.
- When Erin and Patty are dancing together to "Up In Here" by DMX after catching a ghost. When Kevin starts dancing, Patty is not interested in him and stops dancing while Erin, due to her crush on him, keeps on dancing.
- Abby and Erin's argument in front of Martin Heiss when unleashing a ghost to impress him:Abby: Excuse me. Why are you doing this?
Erin: Because he doesn't believe us.
Abby: Erin, come on, we have finally succeeded at doing the thing that we have talked about since we were little kids. And you want to risk it all, what, for him? Who cares if you impress him?
Martin Heiss: Oh, golly, you two are something. - The way Holtzmann shows them all the new equipment she's designed for them comes across as her trying to cheer them up.
- Holtzmann specifically asks Erin to go first during a weapons assessment since she says she's had a long day. She also gives Erin her own personal Swiss army knife, obviously caring a lot about her safety.
- Erin is lamenting how orange her hair is after some hastily applied dye, and Holtzmann says "I'd talk to you at an AA meeting," and just keeps beaming happily at Erin and grinning even as she takes a drink.
- Erin kept the Swiss Army knife Holtzmann gave her and used it to save the group from the stay puft balloon ghost.
Other Media
- For a show about four single men living together, The Real Ghostbusters was surprising lacking in this, but it had its moments, such as the episode "A Fright at the Opera" opening with Peter and Egon going on what there's no other way to describe but as a date to the Metropolitan Opera.
