The unique and extremely popular [citation needed] authority on pop culture since 2008

last updated on

written by Sam Greenspan

A prediction from a psychic in the movie says we only have a few more weeks to live.

Back to the Future: Part II Day is behind us. So let’s shift our attention to a different sequel from 1989 that took a look a quarter-century into the future — which is now our present.

At the beginning of Ghostbusters II, when the team is on a coerced hiatus from all forms of ghost busting, Bill Murray’s character (who, in my recollections, might as well just be named “Bill Murray”) is hosting a talk show for psychics. And he has a guest named Elaine who talks about her predictions from the future — informed, naturally, by what she learned during an (implied) sexual encounter with an alien at the Holiday Inn in Paramus, New Jersey…

So the world is coming to an end on Valentine’s Day, if Ghostbusters II is to be believed.

Which brings us to a quick check-in on 11 other famous end of the world predictions…

  1. 1656, by Christopher Columbus during his final “crazy” years (incorrect)
  2. 1967, by Jim Jones (incorrect)
  3. 1969, by Charles Manson, based off his understanding of the Beatles’ White Album (incorrect)
  4. March 26, 1997, by Heaven’s Gate (incorrect)
  5. August 29, 1997, by Terminator 2: Judgment Day (incorrect)
  6. July 1999, by Nostradamus (incorect)
  7. January 1, 2000, by the Y2K believers (incorrect)
  8. 2000, by the Moonies (incorrect)
  9. May 21, 2011, by Harold Camping (incorrect)
  10. December 21, 2012, by the Mayans sort of (incorrect)
  11. August 23, 2013, by Rasputin (incorrect)

But hey, it only takes one to be right and that lil’ cheeky list looks awfully stupid.

Somewhere, Vigo the Carpathian is laughing at all of us.