Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle—okay, maybe just two times, because this movie doesn’t need any more help summoning success. The long-awaited sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton classic, Beetlejuice, is back and raking in the cash faster than you can say “undead accountant.” The box office? A cool $110 million over its opening weekend, according to Variety. That’s a lot of ghostly greenbacks!
How big is that, you ask? Well, it’s the second biggest September debut in the history of… well, ever! Only the creepy clown of It (2017) managed to float higher with $123 million. But hey, clowns are terrifying. Beetles? Just gross enough to be charming.
Not only that, but Beetlejuice (let’s just call him “B.J.,” because even ghosts deserve nicknames) has also secured the title of this year’s third-largest opening weekend. It’s right behind Deadpool & Wolverine—because who doesn’t love a foul-mouthed superhero and a grumpy clawed Canadian—at $211.4 million, and Inside Out 2 with $154.2 million. Turns out, even your inner emotions can’t compete with a guy in a pinstripe suit who lives in the afterlife’s version of a frat house.
For those of you keeping score, the original Beetlejuice made a respectable $74.7 million back in 1988. Adjusted for inflation, that’s like a bajillion dollars. But it’s 2024, baby, and people are clearly craving more of that quirky ghost magic. Nostalgia is in, and B.J. is cashing in!
Now, about the cast: the OG spooky squad is (mostly) back in action! Three of the main stars from the first film have returned, probably because they couldn’t resist the allure of more sandworms and shrunken heads. But if you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t that one person…?” Yeah, three cast members are noticeably absent, possibly stuck in some sort of Hollywood purgatory (or just, you know, busy doing other things).
Either way, the verdict is in: Beetlejuice is officially big! Who knew that screaming “Beetlejuice!” three times would summon this much cash? Now excuse me while I try to conjure up my own $110 million…
