Milestone Years
- 40th Anniversary: March 30, 2028
- 50th Anniversary: March 30, 2038
- 75th Anniversary: March 30, 2063
Inspiration Behind the Movie
The script was originally a much darker horror film before director Tim Burton turned it into a quirky comedy. The character of Beetlejuice was inspired by trickster spirits and poltergeist folklore, combined with Burton’s love for offbeat and macabre humor.
You Might Not Know
- Michael Keaton’s Wild Performance – Keaton was on screen for only about 17 minutes, yet his performance defined the film.
- Beetlejuice Almost Had a Creepy Look – Early designs had him as a winged demon rather than a chaotic ghoul.
- Winona Ryder’s Breakthrough – This was her big break before Heathers and Edward Scissorhands.
- Stop-Motion Magic – The sandworm and many effects were done with old-school stop-motion animation.
- Beetlejuice Was Almost Played by… – Both Sammy Davis Jr. and Christopher Lloyd were considered for the role before Keaton nailed it.
Food Ideas
- Striped Beetlejuice Cupcakes – Black-and-white swirl frosting inspired by his suit.
- Shrimp Cocktail Hand Surprise – Inspired by the infamous dinner scene.
- Green Slime Punch – A neon green drink with gummy worms.
- Sandworm Breadsticks – Twisted breadsticks with black sesame stripes.
- Graveyard Dirt Cake – Chocolate pudding with crushed cookies and gummy worms.
Release Date: March 30, 1988
Summary:
Beetlejuice is a dark comedy about a recently deceased couple who haunt their former home. When an obnoxious new family moves in, they summon Beetlejuice, an unpredictable bio-exorcist ghost, to scare them away. Chaos ensues as Beetlejuice’s antics spiral out of control, and the living and dead must join forces to restore order.
Genre(s) and MPAA Rating: Fantasy, Comedy, Horror, PG
Key Cast Members:
- Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice
- Alec Baldwin as Adam Maitland
- Geena Davis as Barbara Maitland
- Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz
- Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz
- Jeffrey Jones as Charles Deetz
- Glenn Shadix as Otho
Ways to Celebrate
- Say Beetlejuice Three Times! – Just be careful what happens next.
- Dress as Beetlejuice or Lydia – Bonus points for the red wedding dress.
- Play Harry Belafonte Music – Day-O and Jump in the Line are musts.
- Make a Miniature Graveyard – Like the one in Adam and Barbara’s model town.
- Watch Other Tim Burton Films – Pair with The Nightmare Before Christmas or Edward Scissorhands.
Filming Locations
- East Corinth, Vermont – The town where exteriors were filmed. The house was a temporary set built on a hill and later torn down.
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