Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a 2024 American dark fantasy comedy horror film directed by Tim Burton, with a screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. As a sequel to the 1988 classic Beetlejuice, it marks the second installment in the Beetlejuice franchise. The film sees the return of Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara in their iconic roles, with new cast members including Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe.
The movie premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024. It was released internationally on September 4, 2024, followed by a U.S. release by Warner Bros. Pictures on September 6, 2024. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed $147 million globally against its $100 million budget.
| Directed by | Tim Burton |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Alfred Gough, Miles Millar |
| Story by | Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Seth Grahame-Smith |
| Based on | Characters by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson |
| Produced by | Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper, Tim Burton |
| Starring | Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe |
| Cinematography | Haris Zambarloukos |
| Edited by | Jay Prychidny |
| Music by | Danny Elfman |
| Production companies | Geffen Company, Plan B Entertainment, Tim Burton Productions, Domain Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release dates | August 28, 2024 (Venice), September 6, 2024 (United States) |
| Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $100 million |
| Box office | $147.2 million |
Plot:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) follows the chaotic and mischievous ghost, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), as he is once again summoned from the afterlife, this time to help solve a new supernatural crisis. The story takes place years after the events of the original 1988 film, where Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) has grown older and now has a daughter (Jenna Ortega), who is dealing with her own encounters with the paranormal.
When Lydia’s daughter stumbles upon the strange and dangerous world of the dead, Beetlejuice is summoned to help navigate the chaos that ensues. However, his return also brings trouble, as his unpredictable antics create mayhem for the living and the dead alike. Lydia, Beetlejuice, and a new cast of quirky spirits and otherworldly beings must work together to stop a looming threat that could tear apart the fabric between the living world and the afterlife.
As new characters, played by Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe, enter the story, they add fresh dynamics and complications to Beetlejuice’s mischievous plans. The film combines dark humor, fantasy, and horror elements, capturing the whimsical and eerie spirit of Tim Burton’s universe, while expanding on the beloved characters and world from the original.
Cast:
- Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice
- Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz
- Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz
- Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter
- Justin Theroux in an undisclosed role
- Monica Bellucci in an undisclosed role
- Willem Dafoe in an undisclosed role
Production:
The production of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) involved several key players and studios, coming together to create a sequel to the 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice. Here’s an overview of the film’s production:
Development
- The idea for a sequel to Beetlejuice had been circulating for years, with various scripts being considered, but it wasn’t until Tim Burton, the original director, expressed renewed interest that the project moved forward.
- The screenplay was written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, known for their work on Smallville, Shanghai Noon, and Wednesday. They also contributed to the story alongside Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter).
- The film is based on characters originally created by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson for the 1988 film.
Direction
- Tim Burton, who directed the original Beetlejuice, returned to helm the sequel. His signature gothic, quirky style is expected to play a significant role in the film’s tone and visual appeal.
Production Companies
- Several companies collaborated on the production, including:
- Geffen Company (which also produced the original 1988 Beetlejuice)
- Plan B Entertainment (Brad Pitt’s production company)
- Tim Burton Productions
- Domain Entertainment
Producers
- The film was produced by Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper, and Tim Burton.
Cinematography
- Haris Zambarloukos, known for his work on Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Belfast (2021), served as the film’s cinematographer, bringing a visually rich and stylized aesthetic to the movie.
Editing
- Jay Prychidny, who worked on Wednesday and Orphan Black, handled the editing, ensuring the movie’s pace and comedic timing aligned with the quirky, dark tone.
Music
- Longtime Burton collaborator Danny Elfman returned to compose the score, having previously created the iconic score for the original Beetlejuice.
Filming
- Principal photography took place in 2022 and 2023. Filming locations were kept mostly under wraps, but as with Burton’s other films, a mix of practical effects, elaborate set design, and CGI was expected to create the otherworldly feel of the Beetlejuice universe.
Post-Production
- Post-production involved significant visual effects to bring Beetlejuice’s chaotic and supernatural world to life, combining traditional practical effects with modern CGI to maintain the unique style of the original film.
Distribution
- The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, premiering at the Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024. It was released internationally on September 4, 2024, and in the United States on September 6, 2024.
Release:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024, at the Sala Grande, featured in a non-competitive slot. The film was theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures on September 6, 2024, with special engagements in IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX formats. The title of the film was officially revealed in February 2024, along with confirmation of its release date. During their 2024 CineEurope presentation, Warner Bros. announced that the film would be released internationally on September 4, 2024, two days ahead of its U.S. debut. A marketing campaign valued at approximately $100 million supported the promotion of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
