AI Barbiecore Trend Evolves As Fans Turn Themselves Into 'Ghostbusters' Figures

An AI Barbiecore trend that's been sweeping across social media has sparked an off-shoot among 'Ghostbusters' fans. Social media users have started reimagining themselves as boxed 'Real Ghostbusters'-style action figures, complete with proton packs, Ecto-Goggles, and all the classic gear from the iconic franchise.

The trend originally caught on with people using tools like ChatGPT to create stylised portraits of themselves in classic Barbie packaging. With a quick photo upload and a detailed prompt, AI would generate an image that looked like a boxed doll straight off a toy shop shelf. These AI creations captured the glossy, plastic look of old-school toy commercials, even including fictional accessories, names, and taglines. Many featured the hashtag #BarbieBoxChallenge as the idea spread across TikTok and Instagram.

But it didn't stop at pink heels and plastic handbags. As the Barbie-style images gained traction, users began pushing the idea further - reimagining themselves as all kinds of action figures. Among the most popular offshoots were images inspired by the classic 1980s 'The Real Ghostbusters' toy line, with AI-generated figures depicting ghost hunters in beige jumpsuits, ready to tackle paranormal entities.

I decided to give it a go myself. I uploaded my Facebook profile picture and asked ChatGPT to turn me into a Ghostbuster in the classic jumpsuit, holding a night vision camera. The first version was decent - I had the gear, the ghost trap, the toy-style packaging - but it aged me up a bit too much. I replied, "You've made me look too old," and, to its credit, ChatGPT got it spot on the second time. The result looked like a proper Kenner-style action figure version of me, ready for some spectral surveillance.

These Ghostbuster versions have started appearing more frequently in Facebook fan groups, where users are showing off their AI-made avatars alongside nostalgic toys and gear collections. Some have even created their own fictional ghost-hunting gadgets or given themselves backstories as elite paranormal investigators.

Like a lot of these AI trends, the appeal seems to be in the mixture of nostalgia and personalisation - a way of placing yourself in a world you've always loved. For paranormal fans, that world is more likely to involve ectoplasm than eyeliner.

The trend is also part of a wider wave of AI-generated art where people use creative prompts to see themselves reimagined in different styles - from anime and Ghibli-style portraits to faux movie posters and game covers. But for those of us with a soft spot for haunted houses and unlicensed nuclear accelerators, becoming a Ghostbuster feels like a natural evolution.

If you want to turn yourself into a boxed 'Ghostbusters' figure, all you need is ChatGPT (with image input enabled) and a photo of yourself. Ideally, choose a clear, well-lit photo - preferably full-body - where your face is clearly visible. Then upload it and use a prompt to describe how you want the AI to imagine you.

You can be as specific or as silly as you like. The more detail you give, the better the results.

Here's a simple example to get you started:

If the result isn't quite right - maybe it's made you look too old, or the hair's completely wrong - you can reply with a follow-up like:

"Make me look younger"

"Give me glasses"

"Add glowing green slime to the figure's boots"

"Change the background to a haunted house interior"

The AI will generate a new image based on your feedback.

You can even customise your gear. Want a steampunk-style proton pack? Fancy replacing the classic ghost trap with a glowing crystal orb? Go for it. The trend is all about personalising your ghost-hunting identity.

Once you've got your figure, you can download it, share it on social media, or stick it next to your old Kenner toys for a proper nostalgic crossover.