The long-awaited “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” sequel opened to a massive $110 million, making it the third-best debut of the year. With Michael Keaton returning alongside Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega, the film taps into both nostalgia and new audiences. Its success propels Warner Bros. into a strong fall box office season, with Halloween approaching.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Box Office Quick Looks
- “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” earns $110 million in its debut.
- It’s the third-highest opening weekend of 2024.
- Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reprise their roles.
- Newcomer Jenna Ortega stars as Lydia Deetz’s daughter, Astrid.
- The film is the second-highest September opener, only behind “It” (2017).
- Tim Burton’s signature style and star-studded cast appeal to a broad audience.
- Early success suggests strong performance through Halloween.
Newslooks- NEW YORK-
Deep Look:
After 36 years, the Beetlejuice saga returns to the big screen with a triumphant debut. The highly anticipated “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Tim Burton’s sequel to the 1988 cult classic, earned an astounding $110 million during its opening weekend, making it the third-highest debut of 2024. Only “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” have performed better this year, setting the stage for a blockbuster fall season.
Fans of the original will be thrilled to see Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role as the mischievous spirit, with Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder also returning as Delia and Lydia Deetz, respectively. Adding a new layer to the story is Jenna Ortega, who plays Astrid, Lydia’s daughter. Ortega, known for her role in the Netflix hit series “Wednesday,” brings fresh energy to the film, attracting younger viewers who may not have seen the original. The movie’s diverse cast also includes Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux, further solidifying its appeal.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” now holds the title of the second-highest September opening ever, trailing only behind 2017’s horror hit “It,” which earned $123 million. It surpassed “It Chapter 2,” which debuted with $91 million in 2019. The original “Beetlejuice,” by comparison, opened to a more modest $8 million in 1988, but later became a cultural phenomenon with a domestic gross of $77 million, unadjusted for inflation.
Warner Bros. had initially projected an opening between $80 million and $90 million, so the $110 million haul exceeded expectations. Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ distribution chief, credited the film’s success to the convergence of several factors, noting, “There’s life in the afterlife.” He also hinted at the potential for sustained success as the Halloween season approaches, saying the film “may get really long legs.”
Film industry analysts are similarly impressed by the film’s performance. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, remarked that September is typically a slower month for blockbuster debuts, making “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” an exception. He attributed much of the film’s success to Tim Burton’s unique directorial style and the mix of veteran actors with emerging talent like Ortega. “If all this was were a nostalgia play for people who saw the first movie, it wouldn’t really necessarily work,” said Dergarabedian. “Part of the magic formula of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is having a great cast of a revered generation of actors and then having young actors who are making their own mark.”
The explosive opening weekend of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” kicked off a much-needed boost for the fall movie season after a slow Labor Day weekend and a relatively stagnant August. Prior to this, several new films struggled to gain traction, allowing summer holdovers to dominate the box office.
Alongside “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Deadpool & Wolverine” came in second place over the weekend, earning $7.2 million in its seventh week of release, bringing its domestic total to an impressive $614 million. “Reagan,” a biographical film starring Dennis Quaid as the 40th U.S. president, continues to exceed expectations, earning $5.2 million in its second week and securing third place.
Rounding out the top five, sci-fi horror film “Alien: Romulus” earned $3.9 million, while romance drama “It Ends With Us” took in $3.8 million. One other notable newcomer to the weekend box office rankings was the Tamil-language action film “The Greatest of All Time,” which earned $2 million, further highlighting the diversity of films currently competing for audience attention.
The weekend’s box office numbers showcase the variety of options for moviegoers as the fall season picks up steam. While “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is clearly leading the pack, several other films continue to make an impact.
Estimated Weekend Box Office (Friday-Sunday):
- “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” $110 million
- “Deadpool & Wolverine,” $7.2 million
- “Reagan,” $5.2 million
- “Alien: Romulus,” $3.9 million
- “It Ends With Us,” $3.8 million
- “The Forge,” $2.9 million
- “Twisters,” $2.3 million
- “Blink Twice,” $2.1 million
- “The Greatest of All Time,” $2 million
- “Despicable Me 4,” $1.8 million
