Top line
Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” grossed $110 million in U.S. theaters during its opening weekend, multiple outlets reported Sunday, making the horror comedy the third-biggest debut of the year and the second-biggest September debut in history, some 36 years after the release of the original “Beetlejuice” film.
Catherine O’Hara, from left, Monica Bellucci, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Willem … (+)
Key data
“Beetlejuice” finished only behind “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($211.4 million) and “Inside Out 2” ($154.2 million) in this year’s best domestic box office.
Variety reported that “Beetlejuice” exceeded production studio Warner Bros.’ conservative expectations of $80 million for its opening weekend.
In Burton’s sequel, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara reprised their roles and Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe joined the cast.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” took second place at the box office this weekend, grossing $7.2 million, followed by “Reagan,” the biographical drama about Ronald Reagan, which took in $5.2 million that weekend, and “Alien: Romulus,” which took in fourth place with $3.9 million that weekend, Deadline reported.
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Large number
100 million dollars. That’s how much the production of “Beetlejuice” cost, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Important background
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice follows the Deetz family – who were also the subject of the original Beetlejuice film – as they return to Winter River. Ortega, who plays the daughter of Lydia Deetz (Ryder), inadvertently opens the portal to the afterlife, allowing Beetlejuice (Keaton) to return to the real world. The film is receiving good reviews and has a financially successful first weekend. Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes gave it 82% and critics 76%.
Surprising fact
In its first weekend in theaters, Burton’s sequel surpassed the total box office of the original “Beetlejuice” (not adjusted for inflation). The 1988 film grossed $74.8 million worldwide and had just over $8 million in its U.S. opening, according to BoxOfficeMojo.
tangent
The best September opening of all time was “It,” which grossed $123 million in one weekend in 2017. Before “Beetlejuice” took third place this weekend, “It: Chapter 2” had the second-best September opening with a box office take of $91 million.
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