Dive into Beetlejuice, the eccentric 80s cult classic that brought comedy, the afterlife, and striped suits to unforgettable heights.
The 80s saw a lot of you need twists when it came to blockbuster films. After all, it is a decade where horror comedies grew in popularity. Before then, no one would have believed that you could have both comedy and horror in the same film. But, you had tons of movies throughout the decade like the House series and so much more. But, it was the 1988 release of Beetlejuice that changed the industry forever.
It’s important to remember that the 80s saw the transition between black-and-white and color television. In fact, there were still television stations broadcasting only in black and white until 1987. And, the cost of a full-color TV was quite expensive. So, imagine yourself sitting in front of the only full-color TV in the house, which was usually located in the living room, watching the glow of that old-fashioned CRT monitor. Then all of a sudden, a guy with green hair and a black-and-white striped suit starts cracking jokes about death and pops onto the screen.
Tim Burton was a wizard when it came to the strange and unusual. He gave us Beetlejuice as well as countless other top-name films like Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and so much more. He was able to take any horror story and turn it into something that was funny and completely unforgettable. They were the perfect masterpieces that would make you laugh while creeping you out all at the same exact time. But, more importantly, Beetlejuice was a shining example of what made 80s movies so great.
The movie was so amazing that it stayed relevant for more than 30 years. And, after more than three decades, they finally released a sequel to the film. After all, the 2020s have been all about revamping some of our most beloved 80s films.
The Nitty Gritty of Beetlejuice
Let’s take it real quick look at the basic information about the film.
- Title: Beetlejuice
- Release Date: March 30, 1988
- Director: Tim Burton
- Main Cast:
- Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice
- Alec Baldwin as Adam Maitland
- Geena Davis as Barbara Maitland
- Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz
- Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz
- Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
- Runtime: 92 minutes
- Box Office: $74.7 million (a smash hit at the time!)
- Home Video Release: VHS in 1989
Plot Summary
The story itself has a unique plot to it. It kicks off in the sleepy little town Winter River. Here, Adam and Barbara Maitland are enjoying a picture-perfect life in the country. That is until a tragic car accident sends them off a bridge and falls to their deaths in the ravine below.
Then there is the Deetz family. Years later, a group of city-dwelling misfits move into the Maitland’s home and start making major renovations. But, the Maitlands wanted them out, and quickly learned how to haunt their own home, with the help of a book about surviving the afterlife. So, the Deetz family sought out help from a bio-exorcist named Betelgeuse.
Unfortunately, he was more chaotic than he was helpful. And, what soon followed was a wild ride of hilarious hauntings, gory gags, and a very memorable dinner party where the food comes to life and starts singing Jump in the Line by Harry Belafonte.
The Cultural Impact of Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice wasn’t your typical 80s movie about ghosts and ghouls. In fact, it through the entire rulebook out of the window. And, Tim Burton gave us a world where the afterlife is basically just one giant bureaucracy. It is filled with room after room after room of waiting lines and caseworkers.
And, when it comes to Beetlejuice himself, he is the perfect antihero. Michael Keaton played Beetlejuice and both the original as well as a 2024 sequel. And, his portrayal was both sleazy and charming at the same time. He basically became that guy that you really shouldn’t root for, but you just can’t help loving him anyway. He had a grave voice, and unhinged antics that made him an icon overnight.
The Deetz family turned the Maitland’s home into a eerie, yet whimsical Gothic mansion. And, when combined with the amazing landscapes and over-the-top costumes, Tim Burton created something that was perfectly surreal. Today, many of these costumes are still Halloween staples.
Of course, we can’t forget about the role that Winona Ryder’s portrayal as Lydia Deetz. She quickly became the goth queen for the ages. Her jet-black hair, wide-brimmed hats, and deadpan delivery made her the face of the goth subculture during the late 80s.
In fact, if you remember watching any part of the original film back in 1988, you probably remember both of Harry Belafonte’s songs, Jump in the Line as well as Day-O. Both songs had an infectious rhythm to it, and even today, you probably find yourself from time to time simply singing the songs at random.
It’s important to remember that the movie didn’t just influence fashion pop culture though. It gave birth to an entire franchise in its own image. There was an animated television show, a theme park, and even a Broadway musical. And, after all of that, decades later a sequel was finally released entitled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and 2024.
Beetljuice and the Production Background
Naturally, the making of the original film was just as wild as the movie itself. Tim Burton had just finished Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, but he had not quite proven himself as the go-to weirdo in Hollywood. So, convincing the studio to take a chance on such a bizarre movie script wasn’t exactly easy.
And, speaking about the script, the early drafts were much darker than most people realize. In fact, it was mostly horror and no comedy at all. And, Beetlejuice was originally a demon who was capable of shape-shifting into a murderous winged creature. Thank goodness that the final version shifted to humor instead. After all, making the film a horror comedy, allowed Michael Keaton’s improvisational genius to bring his character to life.
Remember, even though the 80s was the technology era, computers were still in their infancy. Back then, there wasn’t a lot of CGI. In fact, almost every movie in the 80s used practical effects instead of computer-generated ones. And, in order to get amazing visuals, Tim Burton made use of stop-motion animation and puppetry. As a result, he created a visual style that was both charmingly retro and high mostly cool. In fact, the sandworms deserve their own fan club.
The Reception and Legacy of Beetlejuice
When Beetlejuice first hit the theaters, people didn’t know what to think of it. The critics immediately loved its originality and humor. And, as a result, it became a box office smash. In fact, Beetlejuice even won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. Who can blame them though, the undead designs were on a level all their own.
But the love of the film didn’t just end in 1988. When it was released on VHS, sales continued to skyrocket. Then there were the cartoons which started to air on ABC the following year. Beetlejuice was everywhere, and people simply couldn’t get enough of it.
Because of the popularity of the original film, in 2024, a sequel was finally released. And, virtually all of the original cast participated in the sequel. For those who grew up in the 80s and remember watching the original film with their parents, it was an opportunity for them to sit down and watch the sequel with their own kids.
FAQ Section
Is Beetlejuice a comedy or a horror movie?
Both! Beetlejuice is a horror comedy, meaning that it had creepy vibes and laugh-out-loud funny moments all bottled up in one amazing film.
Why is his name spelled Betelgeuse in the movie?
Beetlejuice’s name within the film is a nod to the star in the Orion constellation. It is one piece of trivial fact that has driven people completely bonkers over the decades, “Why not just name the film Betelgeuse?”
Was the movie a big hit when it came out?
Without a question, Beetlejuice was a big hit when it came out. In fact, it made $74.7 million at the box office. And that doesn’t include the VHS sales, Blu-ray disc sales, or online streaming income.
Is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice really a sequel to the original film?
Yes! Michael Keaton as well as most of the original cast members of the 1988 film signed on to be part of the 2024 sequel.
Why do people love Beetlejuice so much?
The movie is quirky, funny, and visually stunning. Best of all, it is full of heart. What’s not to love about it?
Key Takeaways
If the 80s gave us one thing (besides neon spandex), it’s movies that dared to be different. And Beetlejuice? It’s the poster child for that fearless creativity. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s a little gross—in the best way possible.
Whether you’re here for the laughs, the creepy-cool visuals, or the nostalgia, this movie has something for everyone. It’s a reminder that the afterlife doesn’t have to be so serious, and sometimes, the strangest things can bring people together.
So, go ahead. Say his name three times. You won’t regret it.
