A classic Tim Burton film from 1998, Beetlejuice, was remade and released under the title: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Popular actors such as Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Katherine O’Hara returned to the film. Actress Jenna Ortega was an incredible addition to the second film’s cast, with the role of Astrid Deetz (Lydia Deetz’s daughter). Lydia Deetz, again, played by Winona Ryder. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice may have had the same actors, but the plot and execution were almost completely different. With the least amount of spoilers possible, here is my opinion on Beetlejuice and its sequel: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. 

First to be examined is Beetlejuice, the original film. Starting the movie, a couple, Barbara (played by Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (played by Alec Baldwin), died from a car accident and find themselves stuck in the spiritual realm of the real world. They are unable to escape their house, but a strange and materialistic family moves in, not knowing that the house is haunted by the previous owners. The goal of the couple is to haunt the new family into scaring them out of the house, but their reaction is unexpected. The parents, Delia (played by Catherine O’Hara) and Charles Deetz (played by Jeffery Jones) find materialistic value in their tricks and try to use them as a way to earn money. While their daughter, Lydia Deetz, finds friendship with the ghosts.  As Lydia tries to find refuge for the ghostly couple from her parents, she runs into the infamous Beetlejuice (played by Michael Keaton). Beetlejuice is only summoned by the phrase “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” However, summoning Beetlejuice would only lead to more twists and turns in the earthly underworld. 

In the sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the plot has spotlighted the journey of Lydia Deetz and her daughter, Astrid Deetz. There is little to no focus on the deceased couple in the original movie, and most of the setting in the sequel was also outside instead of in the original Maitland household. I found the two movies having their own individual plots, but with the feel of theatrical “easter eggs” connecting the two. I personally think that it is impractical to compare the two movies, considering the differing plots and eras. Both movies thrived in their own way, both had turns in the wrong direction. The original movie had a good plot and introduction to the characters while its sequel had a more modern feel and a younger cast, which made the movie feel slightly disconnected from the original. However, having the younger cast made the movie appeal to younger audiences as well, which would be critical since the movie would’ve only interested those who grew up with the first Beetlejuice. Both movies are worth a watch, but it is important to watch the films in chronological order to get the full “Beetlejuice” experience.