Dressing up its EVs for Halloween has quickly become one of Rivian’s best traditions, and we have to admit, they do a great job. Last year’s software update turned the fleet into a haunted swamp, and the year before that brought full-on car costumes. For 2026, though, the brand decided its usual bag of tricks wasn’t going to cut it.
So Rivian rang up Sony Pictures and recruited an original Ghostbuster, resulting in the Rivian x Ghostbusters Halloween Mode and a very real custom build called the Ecto-R1.
One Big Red Switch
Starting October 9, a free over-the-air update drops a dedicated Ghostbusters app into every R1T, R1S, and R2 on the road. The whole experience runs through a single red toggle that syncs the interior lighting, themed audio, and exterior displays in one flip.
Engage Trick or Treat Mode and the theme song fires up while the screens and exterior lights follow suit. Light and sound shows come in Ecto-1, Proton Pack, Slimer, Ghost Trap, and Peter Venkman flavors, and Motion Mode lets the truck spook anyone who walks past on its own.
There’s more buried in the menus, too. A scavenger hunt hides characters inside familiar screens, a ‘Mallow Mash arcade game has you popping Mini-Pufts while parked, and the whole thing can be triggered remotely from your phone or Apple Watch.
The Ecto-R1 Is the Full-Scale Flex
Now, let’s talk about that rad hero car. Rivian’s Special Projects team built physical Ecto-R1s from the R1S. It comes complete with white-capped 22″ Aero wheels nodding to the original’s chrome hubcaps, the sweeping red graphic, and No-Ghost logos on the hood and doors.
The roof rack includes vintage emergency lights that were sourced and restored, while the sirens, radar dish, and tank housings were all fabricated in-house. Sadly, you can’t buy one, but the builds are touring Rivian’s retail spaces all season.
Venkman Answers the Call
To launch it all, Rivian even tapped Bill Murray for a new spot produced with Gil Kenan, director of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The premise is simple enough: Slimer raids a suburban fridge, a familiar siren wails outside, and the original shows up to handle business. Honestly, getting Murray to suit up for a car commercial might be the most impressive part of the whole campaign.
Spec Sheet
Collaboration: Rivian x Sony Pictures (Ghostbusters)
Eligible Vehicles: R1T, R1S, and R2 (Gen 1 and Gen 2)
Delivery: Free over-the-air software update
Required Software: 2026.36.0 (R1) / 2026.36.40 (R2)
Key Features: Trick or Treat Mode, Lights & Sounds shows, scavenger hunt, ‘Mallow Mash game, custom lock sounds
Remote Control: Rivian mobile app and Apple Watch
Active Window: October 9 to November 2, 2026
Ecto-R1 Build: Custom R1S display vehicles (not for sale)
Price: Free
Pricing & Availability
Halloween Mode is completely free and runs from October 9 through November 2, 2026. Just make sure your vehicle software and Rivian app are current, and a prompt asking if you’d like to “hunt some ghosts” will appear on the driver display. As for the Ecto-R1 builds, catch them in person at Rivian’s retail spaces in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco, and NYC throughout the season.
Recap
Rivian x Ghostbusters Halloween Mode
Rivian teams up with Sony Pictures (and Bill Murray) to turn every R1 and R2 into a ghost-hunting rig via a free software update, backed by full-scale Ecto-R1 builds touring the country.
