Beetlejuice sequel poised to break box office records
"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"—the sequel to the cult 1980s film Beetlejuice—was predicted to be a hit, but the film's success at the Venice festival and positive reviews suggest that it could be one of the biggest box office hits of this year.
4 September 2024 09:03
The black comedy, directed by Tim Burton, will hit theatres on the first weekend of September, after the summer season. During this period, Hollywood studios rarely release major titles. September is usually the weakest month of the year for American theatres. However, this season is expected to be different. According to recent forecasts, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" could earn over $100 million during its opening weekend.
Only two productions in American theatres have broken the $100 million mark at the start of this year: "Deadpool & Wolverine" ($211.4 million) and "Inside Out 2" ($154.2 million).
It's worth noting that just a month ago, box office analysts predicted that "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" would rake in around $50 million during its first weekend. However, after press preview screenings, interest in the film surged, and the final boost came after the gala screening at the Venice Festival. Director Tim Burton and actors Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, and Jenna Ortega received enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation.
Following the Venice premiere, a journalist from the "Hollywood Reporter" praised the director's fresh perspective on the revived topic. The critics praised Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' as a sincere, intelligent form of entertainment based on nostalgia for when Tim Burton shocked audiences with the sensibility of a clown from hell. Even if it involves cashing in on past successes, the pleasure of watching the film and its characters makes up for it.
To recall, "Beetlejuice" became one of the biggest box office hits in 1988 (the tenth best result in the USA). It quickly became a cult classic and a masterpiece of black comedy among film enthusiasts. Its protagonists were a pair of ghosts who wanted to expel the new living tenants from their homes. To do this, they summoned a bio-exorcist from the other side—Beetlejuice.