Tim Burton’sBeetlejuice Beetlejuicereunited the director with Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder 36 years after the first movie and is now available to stream on Max. SinceBeetlejuice’s endingin 1988, the film has been solidified as an iconic piece of modern pop culture and put Tim Burton on the directorial map. Not only isBeetlejuiceconsidered a staple of manyHalloween movie rewatches each year, but it stands the test of time by being an incredibly fun and zany story for audiences to experience whenever they need a pick-me-up.
One of the big reasons behind the first film’s iconicity isBeetlejuice’s now-all-star cast. Michael Keaton is a world-renowned actor in modern Hollywood, largely driven byBeetlejuiceand his excellent comedic performance. Alongside a young Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz andAlec Baldwin and Geena Davis' Maitlands,Beetlejuice’s characters and their stories became equally iconic, as the clamor for a sequel persevered throughout the 1990s and 2000s. 36 years later,Beetlejuice Beetlejuiceprovided exactly this, reuniting Burton, Keaton, and Ryder, with the film now streaming on Max.
Beetlejuice 2 Is Now Streaming On Max - Is It Worth Watching?
Did The Beetlejuice Sequel Meet Expectations?
Naturally, the simple question that will be asked ahead ofBeetlejuice 2’s streaming debut on Max is whether the film is worth watching. After all, a 36-year wait for a sequel, Burton’s return as director, and the reunited cast caused high expectations. Fear not, however, asBeetlejuice 2is certainly worth watching. While slightly longer and, as a result, somewhat less focused than its predecessor,Beetlejuice 2received positive reviews and was regarded as a worthy sequel upon its theatrical debut.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review: Sequel Pitfalls Can’t Keep Down Tim Burton’s Most Joyful Movie In Years [Venice]
Burton has credited his Beetlejuice Beetlejuice experience with rekindling his love of filmmaking, and I think there’s something to that.
A big factor in these reviews wasBeetlejuice 2’s cast. Expectedly, Keaton was fantastic once more as the titular Betelgeuse, proving that almost four decades did not dampen his talents for wacky, exaggerated, irreverent humor. Both Ryder and Catherine O’Hara as Lydia and Delia Deetz had great returns, with emotionally resonant but still funny character arcs. Then there was the addition of Jenna Ortega, who added something new toBeetlejuice 2via her character’s skepticism of the afterlife.
Beetlejuice 2’s script retained most elements that audiences loved about the original movie…
Thankfully,Beetlejuice 2’s pros extended beyond the cast. The same inventive practical effects were used to convey the film’s stranger elements, just as they were in its predecessor. In an age that is becoming increasingly reliant on CGI, the practicality on display was both familiar and refreshing. The aforementioned pacing issues aside,Beetlejuice 2’s script retained most elements that audiences loved about the original movie, providing a worthy sequel that is certainly worth watching - or rewatching - now that it is streaming on Max.
How Beetlejuice 2 Became A Major Reunion
As already alluded to,Beetlejuice 2was a massive reunion in more ways than one. Firstly,it reunited Burton with the original cast ofBeetlejuice, namely Keaton, Ryder, and O’Hara. Although some original characters fromBeetlejuicewere missing, the core cast remained the same, allowing the film to shine as a legacy sequel. Burton even revealed toEntertainment Weeklythat his desire for the sequel centered around reuniting three generations of the Deetz family, driven by Ryder’s Lydia, O’Hara’s Delia, and Ortega’s Astrid, most notably the former’s character arc as an adult.
11 Original Characters Still Missing From Beetlejuice 2
In addition to Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Delia, there are some great missing original characters who still must return for Beetlejuice 2.
Beyond the Deetz family, there is noBeetlejuice 2without, well, Betelgeuse. Keaton’s return saw him work with Burton again in the franchise that made both of them household Hollywood names. Finally, Jenna Ortega’s involvement inBeetlejuicefurther contributed to the film’s overall reunion feel, having previously worked with Burton on Netflix’sWednesday. Without the return of these cast members and the reunion this caused, it is safe to assume Burton would not have been inclined to directBeetlejuice 2.
What’s Next For Tim Burton After Beetlejuice 2
Burton’s Upcoming Projects Explained
WithBeetlejuice Beetlejuicebeing regarded as a return to form for Burton, many will be looking at what upcoming projects are on his radar. Regarding theatrical movies, Burton is reportedly developing a remake ofAttack of the 50 Foot WomanalongsideGone Girlscreenwriter Gillian Flynn. The 1958 original is known for its exaggerated premise that leads to sci-fi horror elements, fitting Burton’s talents perfectly. AfterBeetlejuice 2’s success, it makes sense for Burton to return to a familiar sandbox after lesser-received projects due to his collaborations with Disney in the 2010s.
Moving into the world of TV, Burton has another familiar upcoming project. Filming forWednesdayseason 2 began in 2024 and wrapped in December of that year, setting the show up for a 2025 release date. Burton is expected to direct half of the season’s episodes, reuniting him once more with Jenna Ortega. After a brief period of divisiveness, Burton’s return to horror-comedy seems to be back in full flow withWednesdayseason 2.Beetlejuice 2was a big factor in this, and audiences can now stream the long-awaited sequel on Max.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
