Horror History: Tim Burton’s BEETLEJUICE with Michael Keaton is Now 33 Years Old
On this day in horror history, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice was released in 1988. Michael Keaton stars with Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder.
It begins after Barbara and Adam Maitland die in a car accident. Now they are stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes and teen daughter Lydia buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success. Their efforts attract Beetlejuice, a rambunctious spirit whose “help” quickly becomes dangerous for the Maitlands and innocent Lydia.
Beetlejuice earned $8M opening weekend and eventually grossed $73.7M in North America. Needless to say, it was a financial success, recouping its $15M budget, and became the 10th highest-grossing film of 1988. It also led to Burton getting Batman.
The film sports an 84% over on Rotten Tomatoes. The Critics Consensus reads: Brilliantly bizarre and overflowing with ideas, Beetlejuice offers some of Michael Keaton’s most deliciously manic work – and creepy, funny fun for the whole family.
RELATED: Trailer: DOCUMENTARY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED: THE MAKING OF BEETLEJUICE
Ve Neill won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. It also snagged three Saturn Awards: Best Horror Film, Best Makeup, and Best Supporting Actress for Sylvia Sidney.
The film’s success spawned a classic Saturday morning animated television series, Adventures of Beetlejuice. Plus video games, and also a badass 2018 stage musical.
Tim Burton directed Beetlejuice from a screenplay written by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren based on a story by McDowell and Larry Wilson.
Last we heard on the rumored long-awaited sequel, Warner Brothers hired Mike Vukadinovich (Rememory) to rewrite the script. Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg of KatzSmith Productions will produce this one if it ever actually happens.
In the meantime, there’s always Fred China and producers Adam F. Goldberg’s (The Goldbergs) documentary about the creation of Burton’s classic, Documentary For The Recently Deceased: The Making of Beetlejuice. Check out the trailer right over HERE.
How much do you love Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice?
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