Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Reveals A Hole in Modern Blockbusters

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Reveals A Hole in Modern Blockbusters

As a long-time fan who grew up with the original Beetlejuice, I must say that the recent release of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has been nothing short of exhilarating! The movie’s success is not just about Jenna Ortega or the nostalgia factor – it’s also about how Hollywood finally seems to understand the power of a good comedy in theaters.


The movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is thriving at the box office, with much of its success owed to Jenna Ortega’s contemporary blockbuster charm. However, it’s also profiting from the enduring fame of its original as a cult classic. Interestingly, what makes “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” even more attractive is that it’s stepping into a somewhat vacant genre scene. With few comedy films being released in cinemas lately, Betelgeuse found an ideal setting to entertain the audience.

Tim Burton’s recent work is part of a popular pattern in Hollywood today, known as legacy sequels. Instead of just remaking popular titles from the 80s and 90s, studios are now producing long-awaited continuations, with the original cast reprising their roles. This strategy, while not perfect, seems to be an effective way for major studios to profit from their ongoing risk aversion. The upcoming “Beetlejuice” sequel isn’t the most excessive follow-up, as some films can still offer something of interest within their nostalgic setting.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice made a lot of money

DirectorTim Burton
WritersAlfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Seth Graham-Smith
StarsWinona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Jenna Ortega
Release DateSeptember 6, 2024
Budget$100 Million
Box-Office (as of writing)$153.4 Million

As a diehard fan, I can’t contain my excitement as after decades of failed production attempts, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has finally graced our screens and it’s been nothing short of phenomenal! It smashed records with a whopping $111 million opening weekend, making it the second-largest September release ever. Remarkably, this success overshadows all but one of Tim Burton’s other films, with only “Alice in Wonderland” holding the top spot. The box office earnings for this sequel are truly impressive, especially considering the relatively humble beginnings of its original counterpart. Inflation-adjusted, the opening weekend earnings of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” account for about half of the first film’s total earnings. Simply put, I can’t wait to see where this film takes us next!

The recently released “Beetlejuice” has managed to maintain the impact of its predecessor, thanks to its ongoing popularity through Spirit Halloween, the extended gap between installments, and Jenna Ortega’s star power propelling it to success. Ortega seems to be the hidden strength behind it all. Burton openly admitted that his collaboration with Ortega on “Wednesday” inspired him to complete the sequel. Her rising fame, predominantly stemming from “Wednesday’s” teen-oriented social media presence, is sufficient to draw in audiences who missed the original. However, Hollywood may misinterpret this success, overlooking the obvious correct lesson.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a bizarre comedy

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Reveals A Hole in Modern Blockbusters

In recent times, Beetlejuice feels like the closest Hollywood has come to producing a live-action cartoon akin to Looney Tunes. It certainly provokes some deep thoughts on the continuity of the Coyote vs. Acme saga. The second installment featuring Michael Keaton’s legendary trickster demon, however, seems to lack many essential ingredients that typically make a movie engaging. Characters come and go without leaving much of an impression. Conflicts emerge abruptly, only to vanish just as suddenly. It’s a world where nothing holds significance for very long. Leaving the theater, viewers might ponder whether anything at all occurred within the film. Remarkably, many of the disorderly aspects align surprisingly well with the narrative context. The movie has a central theme, but it bears little connection to the storyline itself.

Comedies don’t come to theaters often

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Reveals A Hole in Modern Blockbusters

Most comedy films are either genre blends, children’s movies, or released directly to streaming platforms. Comedy movies that make it to the multiplex typically have short theater runs before becoming available at home. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a PG-13 comedy with some horror elements and plenty of jokes for its audience. People often go to theaters for a good laugh, especially in the past when comedies were more common and profitable. However, these days, it’s rare to find successful comedy movies. Recently, there have been exceptions like “Poor Things,” “Bottoms,” “Dream Scenario,” “Kinds of Kindness,” “American Fiction,” “Fly Me To The Moon” and others that made it to theaters. Despite being a studio production, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” receives marketing typically reserved for blockbusters.

People are eager for laughter on the large movie screen. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” was a hit with multiple compelling factors, yet its success is not solely due to its title and star-studded cast. High-budget comedies often include numerous dull action scenes or rely on violence to deliver their humor. Contrastingly, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” marks the comeback of projects that invest a substantial budget into creating amusement. Just like the eccentric ghost character, studio comedy is far from being as deceased as it may appear.

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2024-09-12 02:06