Tim Burton’s highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 comedy classic “Beetlejuice” had huge opening weekend numbers at the domestic box office. The new film, titled “Beetlejuice Returns,” brought in $41.5 million on its first Friday, including $13 million from previews on Thursday night. Studio projections show the movie could make over $102 million during its opening weekend. If achieved, this would make it the second highest grossing film for the month of September, second only to the 2017 thriller “It.”
“Beetlejuice Returns” sees Michael Keaton reprise his memorable role as the ghostly trickster Beetlejuice, along with returning cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. The sequel introduces new characters played by Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, and Willem Dafoe. The story follows Lydia Deetz and her family as they return home after a loss, only to discover Lydia’s daughter Astrid has inadvertently opened a portal to the afterlife.
Early audience reactions have been very positive. CinemaScore polls show moviegoers gave the film a B+ grade, slightly higher than the original film’s B. Critics have also embraced the sequel, with a 76% score on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. The Hollywood Reporter’s chief critic David Rooney praised Burton’s direction, saying it taps into the playful spirit of one of his classic films in a way that seems to reinvigorate him.
The film is performing well across different audience groups. Female moviegoers make up around 54-58% of the audience. Screenings in IMAX and other large formats are contributing over a third of the total gross, showing fans want to experience the movie on the biggest screens. Hispanic audiences, known for frequent theater visits, are also strongly supporting the film.
With a $100 million production budget before promotional spending, “Beetlejuice Returns” looks well positioned for profitability. Its domestic total is projected to easily surpass the original film’s $74 million gross from 1988, which equates to around $195 million today adjusting for inflation. Burton directed from a script by TV creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Seth Grahame-Smith receiving a story credit. Strong buzz followed the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
As “Beetlejuice Returns” dominates theaters, other new releases are struggling. Psychological horror movie “The Front Room” from indie studio A24 is expected to earn a modest $1.4 to $1.5 million. Holdovers like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Reagan,” “Alien: Romulus,” and “It Ends With Us” round out the top five for the weekend.
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The film’s huge opening is a sign that Burton’s unique supernatural world still captivates audiences more than 30 years later. It also bodes well for the upcoming fall movie season after a turbulent summer box office, potentially energizing ticket sales.
