Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) Official Trailer Courtesy of Warner Bros.
It’s The Ghost With the Most
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! The titular character of the comedy-horror classic has come a long way since his debut in 1988. With two movies, a TV show, and a musical, it’s no secret that the ghost with the most is a beloved character.
Beetlejuice or Betelgeuse?
The ghost with the most isn’t ready to die (again) for good yet! Fans and newcomers alike might catch that in the two movies, Beetlejuice (1988) and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the ghost’s name is spelled differently than the title. Yet, his name is spelled like Beetlejuice in subtitles, the musical, and the TV show. It’s been a long-drawn debate and speculation of the correct spelling: Beetlejuice or Betelgeuse?
It all lies in the phonetics. For fans who despise errors in films, don’t worry, there’s a reasonable answer for the universe and the real world. Saying his name three times summons him and he can’t say his name, so it’s easy to assume he can’t write it either. That’s where phonetics comes into play. It’s spelled differently but sounds the same, so it acts as a loophole for the ghost. In the real world, Warner Bros. was simply worried no one would be able to pronounce Betelgeuse. Filmmaker Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands) got to keep his original title with some modified spelling, as mentioned in Burton’s book Burton on Burton. In conclusion, it’s said the same way and both are technically correct. Just be sure to keep it consistent when using it.
‘Beetlejuice:’ A Cult Classic
Anyone who watches horror films knows about the cult classic from 1988 that came to define Burton’s career. The comedy-horror film that started it all was directed by Burton with writing by Michael McDowell (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and Warren Skaaren (Batman (1989)). The film follows Adam and Barbara Maitland as they try to gain their house back by scaring the Deetz after they die. In desperation, they call for the help of bio-exorcist Beetlejuice, but he’s not so keen on helping. With stars Alec Baldwin (The Departed) as Adam, Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise) as Barbara, Michael Keaton (Spotlight) as Beetlejuice, Winora Ryder (Little Woman(1994)) as Lydia, and Catherine O’Hara (A Mighty Wind) as Delia, the film was a success. The film had a total of 11 nominations and seven wins including one Oscar in 1989 for Best Makeup. But this was only the start of Beetlejuice’s popularity.
Adventures Galore
A little over a year after Beetlejuice (1988) was first released the character received an animated television show. The series ran for four seasons from 1989 to 1991 and had 94 episodes. Beetlejuice the animated series had multiple episodes that often parodied movies, books, and TV shows. Like the film, Burton developed the show with directors Robin Budd (Hotel Transylvania: The Series), John Van Bruggen (Justin Time), Larry Jacobs (The Magic School Bus), John Halfpenny (Stickin’ Around), Rick Marshall (Peep and the Big Wide World), and Alan Bunce (Inspector Gadget). Ducktales (1987) writers Patsy Cameron and Tedd Anasti wrote the series. The series starred Stephen Ouimette (Slings and Arrows) as the voice of Beetlejuice and Alyson Court (X-Men (1992)) as the voice of Lydia Deetz.
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The show took a bit of a turn from the source material, focusing on a friendship between Beetlejuice and Lydia. It follows the adventures of Beetlejuice and Lydia in both the human world and the Neitherworld. Unlike in the film, the two have a friendly relationship with the two being best friends providing a fun-filled show filled with mischief.
A Musical Spectacular
While based on the 1988 film of the same name, the musical strays from the source material a lot like the TV show. Beetlejuice The Musical Musical Musical (generally referred to as just Beetlejuice) debuted on Broadway in 2019. The musical was first reported to be in the works in 2016 with music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect and the book written by Scott Brown and Anthony King. On release, Beetlejuice starred Alex Brightman (Hazbin Hotel) as Beetlejuice and Sophia Anne Caruso (The School for Good and Evil) as Lydia Deetz.
Rob McClure, Kerry Butler, Leslie Kritzer, and Adam Dannheisser also starred in the initial Broadway production. The musical adds a lot more humor than the film, really playing on the theatrics that come with theater. The story tends to focus a lot more on Lydia and Beetlejuice forming more of a friendship than in the film, shifting some major story elements with no fear making for an entertaining spin on Beetlejuice.
With eight Tony Award nominations in 2019, it’s unfortunate the musical didn’t win any. However, Brightman won a Tony Award the same year for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. Despite this, the musical is still an ever-continuing joy of a musical with shows still occurring. The show is scheduled to play in Hershey, PA, Milwaukee, WI, and Grand Rapids, MI in September and October.
A Ghastly Legacy
After 35 years, the juice is loose again all thanks to Keaton agreeing to reprise his role as the ghost with the most. The anticipated sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was released on September 6, 2024. The story picked up years after the first film, following a grown-up Lydia Deetz and her daughter Astrid. Three generations of the Deetz family return home and fall back into ghastly troubles. Directed once again by Burton with stars Keaton, Ryder, and O’Hara reprising their roles, the film swept box offices. The film also stars Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) and Justin Theroux (Mulholland Drive) with writing credits from Alfred Gough (Wednesday), Miles Millar (Wednesday), and Seth Grahame-Smith (It (2017)). The film was nominated twice and won a Fanheart3 Award at the Venice Film Festival for Best Film.
Watch where the ghost with the most made his debut by streaming Beetlejuice (1988) on Max. Catch the ghost’s adventures with Lydia by streaming the Beetlejuice (1989-1991) animated series on Tubi. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is available to view in theaters. Just make sure not to say his name three times.
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Author
Kendra Dennis is a Pennsylvania-based creative and content writer. While her passion lies within the creative realm, Kendra enjoys any time she gets to write. Kendra graduated from American Public University System in June of 2025 with a BA in English. She enjoys writing stories that open up to a larger world where readers can get lost. You can find her daydreaming about her newest stories or reorganizing one of her many bookshelves.
Sammie is an undergraduate student at Arcadia University where she is majoring in English and creative writing and minoring in media and communications. Sammie enjoys writing about her favorite movies and tv shows and hopes to have a career in the media industry.