Bill Murray isn’t done busting ghosts for Rivian. After returning as Peter Venkman in the company’s Ghostbusters Halloween commercial, the original Ghostbuster is back for another round, this time taking on the pint-sized menace known as the Mini-Pufts. Rivian teased the new footage on Instagram, declaring, “Mini-Pufts are no match for Bill Murray,” while pointing fans toward the other supernatural surprises hiding inside its Halloween software update.
The new spot follows Rivian’s earlier commercial, “Answering the Call,” which reunited Murray with his Ghostbusters character Peter Venkman, as Slimer made a mess of a suburban home. That ad introduced the custom Ecto-R1, a fully decked-out version of Rivian’s all-electric R1S SUV inspired by the original Ecto-1. Murray arrived to deal with the green ghost, bringing a familiar face back to the franchise without requiring another trip to the movie theater.
Now Rivian is showing off another corner of its collaboration with Sony Pictures, using the Mini-Pufts to highlight the playful features built into its limited-time Halloween mode. The marshmallow creatures are part of the experience’s Mallow Mash game, which challenges owners to pop as many Mini-Pufts as possible on the vehicle’s center display while parked. Even Peter Venkman apparently can’t escape these little troublemakers.
The software update goes well beyond a single game. Rivian has turned its vehicles into a rolling tribute to the franchise, complete with themed lighting, sound effects, hidden characters, and an interactive scavenger hunt. Owners can choose exterior light-and-sound shows inspired by familiar Ghostbusters elements, including the Ecto-1, Proton Pack, Slimer, Ghost Trap, and Peter Venkman. There’s even a Trick or Treat mode that transforms the vehicle’s displays and adds matching sounds and lights for Halloween visitors.
Rivian has also created a dedicated Ghostbusters app for the in-vehicle experience, bringing the seasonal features together in one place. Drivers can find clues that lead to hidden characters tucked into familiar vehicle screens, while Rivian’s voice assistant gets a spooky makeover for the season. The company has worked with Sony Pictures to bring the franchise’s look and sounds into its software, turning a seasonal update into something closer to an interactive Ghostbusters playground.
The collaboration also includes the real-world Ecto-R1, which takes the silhouette and equipment of the classic movie vehicle and reimagines them for Rivian’s electric SUV. The custom build features white-accented wheels, Ghostbusters graphics, and a roof rack loaded with paranormal-investigation equipment. It’s the centerpiece of the campaign, but the software means owners don’t need a specially built vehicle to join in.
Rivian’s original Bill Murray commercial was directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote Ghostbusters: Afterlife and directed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Murray’s return as Venkman gives the campaign a direct connection to the films, while the new Mini-Pufts footage provides another excuse to revisit the character’s particular brand of paranormal problem-solving.
Rivian’s Ghostbusters Halloween mode is available through November 2, 2026, on its R1S, R1T, and R2 vehicles. Owners need the appropriate vehicle software and Rivian mobile app updates to access the features. If you’ve ever wanted your electric SUV to feel a little more like a piece of Ghostbusters equipment, the company has apparently decided that the answer to “Who ya gonna call?” can now be found on your dashboard.
