Beetlejuice returns: A box office resurrection
Did someone say Beetlejuice’s name three times? Whether intentional or not, the mischievous demon has made a triumphant return, wreaking havoc at the box office.
A triumphant return
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 horror-comedy classic, has stormed into theaters, raking in a staggering $110 million from 4,575 locations during its opening weekend. This impressive debut ranks as the second-largest September opening of all time, surpassing 2019’s “It: Chapter 2” ($91 million) and trailing only behind 2017’s “It” ($123 million). All three of these record-setting September releases belong to Warner Bros. Additionally, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has secured the third-best opening of the year, following “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($211.4 million) and “Inside Out 2” ($154.2 million). This film has provided a much-needed boost to the domestic box office, which had been languishing after a lackluster end to the summer season.
Global impact
The film also made a significant splash internationally, debuting with $35.4 million, bringing its global total to $145.4 million. With a production budget of $100 million, the film is already on a promising path to profitability.
Nostalgia and familiarity
Nostalgia for the original film, coupled with positive word-of-mouth for the sequel, has driven ticket sales into the triple digits. The original “Beetlejuice” became one of the highest-grossing movies of 1988, earning $74.7 million and later inspiring a Tony-nominated Broadway musical that continues to tour the country. Despite the passage of more than three decades, the Ghost With the Most has remained a fixture in popular culture.
Unlike recent legacy sequels or reboots like “Twisters” or “Wonka,” which introduced entirely new casts, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” features many familiar faces from the Netherworld and beyond. Tim Burton returned to direct, bringing back Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O’Hara as step-mom Delia Deetz. New additions to the cast include Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. The sequel is set 36 years later, as Lydia Deetz’s daughter discovers the portal to the Afterlife and inadvertently releases everyone’s favorite ghost.
Box office landscape
Elsewhere on the box office charts, the scene looked rather bleak. Apart from “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” no other film managed to break into double digits in ticket sales.
Disney’s Marvel sequel “Deadpool & Wolverine” slipped to second place, earning $7.2 million from 3,400 venues in its seventh weekend of release. The R-rated hit, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has amassed a colossal $614 million domestically and $1.287 billion globally. It stands as the second-biggest movie of the year and the 23rd largest of all time.
The Dennis Quaid-led biopic “Reagan” held steady at No. 3, bringing in $5.2 million from 2,770 theaters in its second weekend. The film, which chronicles the life of Ronald Reagan, has generated $18.5 million to date.
Holdovers “Alien: Romulus” and “It Ends With Us” rounded out the top five. “Alien: Romulus” added $3.9 million from 2,560 locations over the weekend. After a month of release, the latest installment in Disney and 20th Century’s sci-fi horror saga has collected $97.2 million domestically and $314 million worldwide.
Meanwhile, “It Ends With Us” brought in $3.7 million from 2,850 theaters in its fifth week. The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel has grossed $141.3 million in North America and crossed the $300 million mark worldwide. While a sequel seems inevitable, well-publicized drama between co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni (who also directs) may complicate its production.
Final thoughts
The return of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has not only reignited interest in the original film but also demonstrated the enduring appeal of well-crafted sequels that honor their predecessors. As the box office continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how other legacy films and new releases fare in this ever-changing landscape.
For those eager to dive deeper into the world of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, check out the trailer and explore more about the film. Similarly, fans of “Deadpool & Wolverine” can watch the trailer and learn more about the movie.