Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is poised to conjure up one of the largest September box office debuts ever. The highly anticipated follow-up to the 1988 classic is tracking to earn an impressive $100 million to $110 million in its first weekend domestically, according to advanced ticket sales and industry forecasts. Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, is offering a slightly more conservative estimate, predicting an $80 million-plus debut.
If the higher tracking estimates hold, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will land the second-highest September opening in box office history, trailing only Warner Bros.’ 2017 horror sensation It, which opened to a staggering $123 million. The runner-up in the September record books is It Chapter Two, which debuted to $91.1 million in 2019, followed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings at $75.4 million in 2021, a strong showing despite being released during the pandemic. Other notable September debuts fall well behind, with the next-largest opening in the mid-$50 million range.
The sequel arrives 36 years after the original Beetlejuice hit theaters, with the cult classic’s popularity and Tim Burton’s distinct style expected to draw a wide demographic, appealing to both nostalgic fans and a new generation of moviegoers. The original film, which grossed $74 million at the time, has since grown in stature, with inflation-adjusted earnings reaching over $195 million.
This new installment brings back iconic cast members Michael Keaton as the mischievous, ghostly Beetlejuice, alongside Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. Joining them are franchise newcomers Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, and Willem Dafoe.
In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the storyline follows Lydia Deetz (Ryder), who, after suffering a family tragedy, returns home only to discover that her daughter Astrid (played by Ortega) has accidentally opened a portal to the afterlife. The teaser trailer showcases Keaton’s chaotic charm with the line, “The juice is loose,” a nostalgic nod to his character’s iconic irreverence.
Critics have responded favorably to Burton’s return to form, noting that the director captures the same playful, eccentric energy that made the original film a classic. In his review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s chief film critic David Rooney commented on how Burton brings back that “maniacally playful spirit” that defined his earlier work, particularly praising the dynamic between Keaton and Ryder, who both starred not only in the original Beetlejuice but also in other Burton classics like Batman and Edward Scissorhands. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving solid early reviews, with a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 79% fresh.
The sequel was directed by Burton, working off a script by Wednesday showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Seth Grahame-Smith contributing to the story. The combination of Burton’s directorial flair, a beloved returning cast, and the addition of fresh faces like Ortega has moviegoers excited for what’s shaping up to be a major box office success.
As the release date approaches, expectations remain high, with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice looking set to not only cast a spell over fans but also deliver one of the biggest box office openings ever for the month of September.
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