Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy sequel mixes frightful fun with language, pills.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 43 parent reviews
Parents say this sequel diverges significantly from the whimsical tone of the original, becoming darker and filled with more explicit content, which many believe makes it inappropriate for younger viewers, particularly those under 16. While some appreciated the humor and musical elements, others criticized the disjointed storytelling and excessive gore, leading to mixed feelings about its suitability for family viewing.
- age recommendation
- darker tone
- inappropriate content
- mixed reviews
- humor and music
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 73 kid reviews
Kids say this quirky sequel to the classic 1988 film retains Tim Burton's signature style while introducing more mature humor and slightly darker themes, making it more appropriate for older kids and teens. Some viewers found it entertaining and fun, while others criticized its pacing, incoherent plot, and increased gore, deeming it less charming than its predecessor.
- dark humor
- mixed opinions
- inappropriate for young kids
- entertaining for teens
- visually imaginative
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, a family tragedy brings Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) back to Winter River, along with her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), and Lydia's boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux). When Astrid opens a portal to the Afterlife, putting her mortal soul in danger, Lydia knows one ghoul—and three words—that may help.
Is It Any Good?
Ghoulishly goofy but light on frights, this sequel is great for Beetlejuice fans, who will thoroughly enjoy seeing Lydia Deetz' life on the other side, as an adult. The shoe is on the other foot now that Lydia is the mother of a moody teen—a point that Lydia's stepmother, Delia, enjoys making. Speaking of Delia, it's refreshing to see that, three decades later, while Delia is still Delia, her relationship with Lydia has become friendly. Even the characters' relationship with Beetlejuice is softer, with the vulgar ghoul serving as more of an ally than an adversary.
Director Tim Burton finds new ways to revive the beloved beats of his 1988 horror-comedy classic, including unexpected musical interludes and the divinely devilish dead. More time is spent in the visually stimulating Afterlife, and viewers get to see new areas, including the Juice's office space, where he manages a staff of oddly sweet shrunken-headed corporate minions. Audiences can turn guessing/recognizing how everyone in the Afterlife met their untimely end into a hilarious game (while it's all delightfully detailed, it's no scarier than a Halloween lawn decoration). Some characters are underdeveloped (Betelguese's late wife needs a spin-off) or pass into the world of the "dead dead" too fast (Danny DeVito, we didn't even get to know you!), but there's so much happening that you may not notice or care. The only disappointment might be that Lydia has lost her spunk; she feels a bit like a supporting character in her own story. While the joy of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the ridiculous unrealism of the movie's fantasy world, the sad situation of a strong woman who has devolved into a meek pushover due to the trauma of life feels all too real.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what, if anything, they found scary in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. How does director Tim Burton walk the line between creating something that's grotesque and eerie but not exactly truly frightening?
Burton's sight gags let viewers spot the dead souls and size up what led to their early death. What other movies or TV shows have you seen that have comedy going on in the background of the main action? Do you like this type of humor?
Do you think Lydia grew into adulthood and motherhood in a realistic way? If not, what would you see as her future? Pick a favorite teenage character of yours and imagine who they might become 35 years later.
What do you think viewers are meant to take away from Lydia's use of prescription pills and Rory's role in it? Is self-medicating normalized or glamorized in the movie?
The original Beetlejuice was released in 1988. If you've seen it, do you think it has aged well? Why, or why not? How does the sequel stay true to the original while updating it for modern audiences?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 6, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : October 8, 2024
- Cast : Michael Keaton , Jenna Ortega , Winona Ryder , Catherine O'Hara
- Director : Tim Burton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros. Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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