WATCH: Bill Murray back as Venkman in new ad directed by Gil Kenan

The Ghostbusters have gone electric, as Rivian has teamed up with Sony Pictures for a Halloween collaboration, with Bill Murray returning as Dr. Peter Venkman in a new commercial featuring an electric Ectomobile dubbed the Ecto-R1!

The spot opens inside a home overtaken by paranormal chaos, with flickering lights, appliances running wild, and food scattered everywhere, writes Jason over at Ghostbusters News. The culprit? None other than Slimer, whose latest haunting brings him face-to-face with Venkman and a rather different set of wheels!

With help from the Ecto-R1’s onboard system, Venkman captures the disgusting green spud, putting Rivian’s new Ghostbusters collaboration to work. While the vehicle trades the familiar Cadillac for an electric ride, Murray’s return brings a welcome connection to the original film.

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There’s another familiar name behind the camera, too, with Rivian partnering with Gil Kenan, co-writer of Ghostbusters: Afterlife and director and co-writer of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The commercial was produced with Bob Industries.

As for the Ecto-R1 itself, Rivian’s Special Projects team has packed the build with nods to the classic Ecto-1. A red stripe runs along the body, with the no-ghost logo appearing on the hood and front doors, while white wheel covers and bright silver wheels pay tribute to the original vehicle’s chrome hubcaps.

Up top, the custom roof rack features sirens, spotlights, a radar dish, and side tanks modeled after the film car’s equipment. Vintage emergency lights were sourced and restored, while the rack’s frame and accessory housings were fabricated in-house. There’s even a subtle Rivian compass design visible from above.

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Of course, the collaboration extends beyond the commercial and custom builds, with a Ghostbusters-themed Halloween Mode running from October 9 through November 2, 2026.

A dedicated in-vehicle Ghostbusters app brings together themed displays, interior lighting, music, and sound effects. Engage Trick or Treat Mode, and the driver and rear displays join the fun as the Ghostbusters theme plays, with exterior lights and audio completing the transformation. Many of the features can also be controlled through the Rivian mobile app.

Owners can choose light and sound sequences inspired by Ecto-1, Proton Packs, Slimer, Ghost Traps, and Peter Venkman, while Motion Mode lets the vehicle react when someone walks past. Additional features include themed lock sounds, a scavenger hunt for hidden characters, and ’Mallow Mash, a parked-only arcade game that challenges players to pop Mini-Pufts against the clock.

Watch the awesome ad:

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Rivian is also bringing the physical Ecto-R1 builds to select retail celebrations, including locations in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco, and New York City’s Meatpacking District. Limited-edition merchandise and themed refreshments are part of the festivities, with additional appearances planned for the NYC Village Halloween Parade and a Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt pop-up in Los Angeles.

To access Halloween Mode, owners will need the latest Rivian mobile app and compatible vehicle software, listed as 2026.36.0 for R1 and 2026.36.40 for R2. Once updated, a prompt on the driver display will invite them to “hunt some ghosts.”

Check out the very cool breakdown of the car here (including the ghost trap in front).

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