Equipped with 15kg proton packs and custom suits, the West Midlands Ghostbusters community is full of passion and free from judgement.

The Facebook group’s 500 members, from across the region, unite around their love of the franchise, whether it’s cartoons or movies, and there’s no review of entry to join.

Dean Reilly founded the group during lockdown in 2021 as he searched online for like-minded people to connect with and escape from the ‘real world’.

“There can only be one Batman, but pretty much anyone can be a Ghostbuster and take on a fun persona,” he said.

When the 49-year-old from Birmingham isn’t working in digital marketing, he attends comic con events with the Ghostbusters team and discusses the film on a podcast.

“It’s nice to see friendships forming and a new tribe forming, it’s an unexpected side effect,” he said.

Steve Robbins, 39, was looking for a group of Ghostbusters to hand-deliver a birthday cake to his daughter when he decided to get involved with the group.

Dressing up wasn’t his thing, but his obsession with movies quickly “got out of control” and two years later he now wears “all the gear.”

“Before the group, I didn’t feel comfortable in a social circle to let myself go, but since no one judges each other and everyone laughs, it’s easy to relax,” he said. declared.

The 39-year-old from Rowley Regis went on to say it was “amazing” to watch his two daughters become “obsessed” with the film and its recent releases.

“They find a love there and it brings us together as a family, gives us the opportunity to have fun,” he said.

Many Ghostbusters groups around the world have adapted the franchise’s logo with a personalized touch.

“It’s a place where people get creative, where they actually locate the area,” Mr. Reilly said.

The West Midlands band regularly creates personalized versions of its logo, including one with the region’s map and a microphone, paying tribute to musicians like Ozzy Osbourne.