Sep
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Nearly Breaks Box Office Record with $110 Million Debut
The mischievous ghost is back and making a splash at the box office.
This weekend, the Deetz family conjured up more than just a trickster demon—they also summoned a remarkable $110 million domestic debut for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to the 1988 cult classic. According to Comscore, this impressive figure marks the second-largest September domestic opening ever, just behind Warner Bros’ 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s It, which opened to $123 million.
Though it didn’t quite set a new record, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had a spectacular debut. The film also earned $35.4 million internationally, bringing its global total to $145.5 million.
Directed by Tim Burton, the sequel returns to the haunted Winter River home of the Deetz family after a 36-year gap. Lydia (Winona Ryder), still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), clashes with her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. As expected, the mischievous demon is back, bringing his signature chaos. Catherine O’Hara reprises her role as Delia, with newcomers Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe joining the cast.
Winona Ryder shared her thoughts on her character’s evolution, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I hoped we would maintain the essence of the original while exploring what Lydia’s life might look like now. I never imagined Lydia as a mom, but Jenna Ortega’s portrayal answered many questions and felt incredibly fitting.”
Aside from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the weekend’s notable performers include films that have been in theaters for several weeks. Deadpool & Wolverine claimed second place after seven weeks, earning an estimated $7.2 million, bringing its domestic total to $614 million. Internationally, it added $15.6 million, pushing its global total to $1.287 billion. The superhero film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, remains the seventh highest-grossing MCU release and the top-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
The biopic Reagan, which chronicles Ronald Reagan’s journey from Hollywood to the presidency, landed in third place with a domestic haul of $5.2 million. After two weeks, it has earned $18.5 million globally, with only $9,740 coming from international markets. Dennis Quaid, who plays Reagan, admitted to EW that he was initially apprehensive about taking on the role due to his deep admiration for the former president.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Nearly Breaks Box Office Record with $110 Million Debut
The seventh installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, added $3.9 million to its domestic total of $97.1 million. It continued its strong performance internationally, earning an additional $13.7 million, which brings its global total to $314.3 million. Led by Cailee Spaeny, the film follows young space colonizers who, while scavenging an abandoned station, encounter terrifying, hostile lifeforms.
Rounding out the top five is It Ends With Us, which earned another $3.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $141 million and its global total to $309.3 million. Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, the film continues to draw audiences after five weeks. Starring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, it tells the story of a woman who escapes a traumatic childhood and falls in love with a neurosurgeon, only to discover that his abusive behavior perpetuates the cycle she sought to escape.
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