Nostalgia and Star Power Drive Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to Box Office Success

It’s showtime for Tim Burton’s horror-comedy sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and it’s off to a spectacular start. Over its opening weekend, the film took the box office by storm, earning an impressive $145.4 million globally, with $110 million of that coming from domestic sales alone. This makes it the second-largest September debut in box office history, just behind It: Chapter One from 2017, which earned $123 million in its opening weekend. But what is it about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice that has audiences flocking to theatres?

A Massive Box Office Debut

The $145.4 million opening weekend haul for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is significant for several reasons. First, it comes at a time when movie theatres are still recovering from post-pandemic closures and restrictions. This massive success suggests that audiences are not just ready to return to theaters, but are eager for nostalgia-driven content that builds on beloved franchises. The film’s domestic box office earnings of $110 million put it in third place for the best domestic openers of 2024, behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2, further cementing its place as one of the year’s biggest hits.

The Power of Nostalgia and Star Power

Part of what’s driving Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s success is a potent blend of nostalgia and star power. Tim Burton’s original 1988 Beetlejuice has long been considered a cult classic, and fans of the original film were eager to see how the story would continue. In addition, the marketing campaign successfully leveraged the star-studded cast, including returning favourites like Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, alongside newer stars like Jenna Ortega, whose recent success in Wednesday and the Scream sequels has made her a fan favourite.

This combination of old and new has made the film appealing to both longtime fans of Burton’s original film as well as a younger audience that may not have been familiar with the character before. The appearance of the 90s animated series on Tubi also helped reignite interest in the broader Beetlejuice universe, providing another boost for the film’s debut.

Strong Marketing and Festival Buzz

Marketing played a key role in the film’s early success. Warner Bros. put significant effort into its promotional campaign, ensuring the movie stayed in the public eye for months leading up to its release. This included the strategic timing of the Venice Film Festival premiere, which garnered positive word-of-mouth buzz ahead of the official release. The positive reviews from the premiere created anticipation, helping fuel its opening weekend success.

The decision to release Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in early September also gave it an advantage. With a quieter release window, it faced less competition than films released closer to the holiday season. This allowed the film to dominate the box office and capture the audience’s attention.

What’s Next for September?

With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice kicking off September with a record-breaking opening, the rest of the month promises some exciting releases as well. Blumhouse’s Speak No Evil, The Killer’s Game, and the sci-fi horror film Subservience are all set to hit theatres. Additionally, the animated prequel Transformers One, Demi Moore’s The Substance, and the highly anticipated Hellboy: The Crooked Man will be closing out the month.

While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had the advantage of being a big-name release to start the month, it will be interesting to see how these other films perform and whether any of them can unseat the horror-comedy from its box office throne.