Hi-C’s Ecto Cooler Is Officially Returning for ‘Ghostbusters’ Remake
Children of the late 80’s and early 90’s can rejoice: Ecto Cooler is coming back. After months of rumors, Hi-C and Coca Cola officially confirmed Monday that the Ghostbusters-themed drink flavor will be returning to coincide with the franchise’s upcoming reboot.
The company’s press release on the nostalgic reasoning behind the product’s return reads in part:
“Fans of the ghoulish green goodness of Hi-C Ecto Cooler have one more reason to celebrate the return of the Ghostbusters franchise to the silver screen. This summer, the juice drink of choice for those nostalgic for the ‘80s and ‘90s will officially return to store shelves for a limited time. Its resurgence comes after a 15-year hiatus, much to the delight of fans everywhere. Ghostbusters hits theaters on July 15, 2016.
“’Hi-C Ecto Cooler fueled a pop culture phenomenon that is well remembered and beloved by fans to this day,’ said Charles Torrey, Vice President, Minute Maid/Hi-C Brands, Coca-Cola North America. “Sony Pictures was extremely enthusiastic about bringing it back for this special occasion, and the timing of the upcoming Ghostbusters film made this the exact right time.
“Hi-C Ecto Cooler became a cultural mainstay in 1987 as a tie-in with the original Ghostbusters franchise. The drink’s immense popularity kept it around for more than a decade and kept people deliciously hydrated until it was discontinued in 2001.
“Since then, popular online sites have cited Hi-C Ecto Cooler fondly in articles on ‘90s nostalgia, and have inspired vocal online fan groups. Those groups, along with some lobbying support from Sony Pictures, spurred The Coca-Cola Company to bring Hi-C Ecto Cooler back, just in time for the new Ghostbusters theatrical release this summer.”
The drink will be available in the U.S. starting on May 30 in box and can versions, each of which will contain “thermal ink that turns an eerie shade of slime green when the product inside is cold.”
Coke and Sony are already trying to cash-in on the nostalgia value of the product by launching Twitter and Facebook accounts for fans to interact with and attempt to win the product before its scheduled release.
