Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits big with $110 million and dominates weekend box office

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has received a fantastic response since its release on September 6, 2024, and has earned a whopping $110 million in its opening weekend alone. As per IndieWire, the film comprises nearly 75 percent of the weekend box office collection in theaters around the United States and Canada.

The same publication stated that the film has become the second-highest-grossing September movie of all time in its premiere weekend. It is only surpassed by Stephen King's adaptation It (2017). The supernatural horror film earned a massive $123 million during its opening weekend.

Furthermore, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has gained this year's third-best opening weekend, behind Inside Out 2 and Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine, according to Associated Press.

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The massive numbers explained

A still from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Image via Warner Bros. Pictures)

Prior to its theatrical release, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2024. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Warner Bros. decided to give the movie an ultra-wide release at 4,575 theaters, owing to its initial positive reception. It further stated that the sequel cost an estimated $100 million to produce.

The film's massive success has put an end to the box office slump of the summer season. Its performance is staggering since the weekend following Labor Day, which is reportedly considered to be the worst time in terms of box office revenue. Andy Muschietti's horror film It, also distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, is the only other project that managed to buck the trend in 2017.

Moreover, Jenna Ortega's presence in the film seems to be a big boost for younger audiences, who flocked to the theaters in large numbers to watch their favorite star. Ortega became widely popular after starring as Wednesday Addams in the supernatural series, Wednesday, which is also directed and executive produced by Burton.

Lastly, Variety reported that the film has earned $35.4 million in overseas markets so far. Thus, its total global earnings reached $145.4 million within a week of its release.

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Plot summary

In the second film from the Beetlejuice franchise, Lydia Deetz is seen as a popular host of the supernatural talk show, Ghost House. She is engaged to the television producer, Rory (Justin Theroux). One day, her daughter Astrid unknowingly opens the portal to the afterlife, summoning the pesky poltergeist Beetlejuice. Circumstances force Lydia to team up with Beetlejuice so as to save Astrid from the afterlife.

He promises to save Astrid on the condition that Lydia marry him in exchange. Although Lydia agrees to the deal, Beetlejuice's plans are thwarted by the return of his ex-wife, Dolores (Monica Bellucci).

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic film released in 1988. The sequel took 36 years to make and has brought back Michael Keaton as the mischievous titular demon. Keaton is joined by Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, who have reprised their roles as the mother-daughter duo—Delia and Lydia Deetz respectively.

The film also features new cast members like Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux, and Willem Dafoe.

As per The Associated Press, the original Beetlejuice (1988) earned a humble $8 million (unadjusted for inflation) in its opening weekend and raked in $77 million during its domestic theatrical run.

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